…amid allegations of witness tampering
The trial of a cane harvester accused of murdering his wife was aborted at the Berbice Assizes yesterday after allegations surfaced that persons connected to the accused had approached members of the jury; two persons were arrested and are assisting the police with their investigations.
On trial was cane harvester Eric Sookshine, who was indicted for the June 2005 murder of his wife Jashoda.
Addressing the court yesterday, Justice Winston Patterson said that the case had to be discontinued “because of certain circumstances.
“There is a reason for a trial. A person is innocent until proven guilty. Certain information was brought to my hearing, and following a chamber hearing and in the interest of justice the trial has to be aborted,” the judge added.
“It had come to the court’s knowledge that at the last adjournment, approaches were made to a member or members of the jury panel by persons connected to the accused. That having been brought to the court’s attention, the court is duty bound to take a certain stance in the matter. I do believe that this panel is seasoned with the case proceeding because of their line of questioning. I do believe that they have hearkened to the admonition given after each hearing to them, and I do believe and accept that this has nothing to do with the juror or jury, as they did not set out to create mischief.”
Addressing the jury directly, he said: “But, you were infiltrated by close relatives of the accused who allegedly frequent this court during the trial days.
“This is a spate of lawlessness, which is infiltrating the administration of justice. Wrong things can never be right. It is a sad day in this jurisdiction when justice seemingly cannot be allowed to take its course.”
He referred to a previous instance when a similar act was committed within the confines of the court and the case had to be aborted.
“I am taking a different stance now. I did not do as I did before. I took a step forward by inviting the police to conduct an investigation against persons who were allegedly seeking to pervert the course of justice. This is blatant lawlessness. A stop must take place,” he said.
Justice Patterson told the jury that the act has thrown a dampener on the trial which was going so well. He said counsel — the state and the defence — were both disappointed.
“I must tell you that the commissioning of the offence had nothing to do with the accused directly, nor the counsel for the accused, namely Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford and his son Ryan,” the judge said.
Speaking to the man in the dock, the judge said, “because of what transpired you will be further remanded. You need to consult with your lawyer.”
Nine of the 11 witnesses had testified.
When the trial opened last week, State Counsel Dionne Mc Cammon contended that it was based on circumstantial evidence.
On the morning of June 3, 2005, Jashoda Sookshine was found motionless on her kitchen floor with her clothing having what appeared to be bloodstains. The police were summoned and a cutlass, believed to be the murder weapon was found three feet away from the body. Government Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan recorded the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage, from stab wounds to the heart.
During the trial, a witness Vidawattie Narine alias Jean, mother of the deceased woman, said that on June 2, 2005, the accused had telephoned her saying, ‘Me gon kill Usha and hang me self’.
According to the woman, she replied, “Boy, you head good”, after which she heard the children crying in the background.
Narine said, after speaking to the man in the dock and her now deceased daughter that night, she telephoned them again the following day at 06:00hrs. During the conversation the witness recalled telling the couple that she would relocate them at Rose Hall Town and would visit within the next hour.
However, having received a phone call from her husband , Narine said she proceeded to Whim Village where her daughter lived, and on nearing the home saw that a large crowd had gathered Upon investigating, she saw her daughter’s body with a wound to the neck and chest. The body was subsequently taken to the Port Mourant Hospital Mortuary.
The man whom the defence claimed was the perpetrator of the crime, Mark Bangroo, confessed to having had an intimate relationship with Jasoda, who was his cousin’s wife.
Meanwhile, the relatives of the accused displayed shock at the judge’s revelation, and were seen whispering among themselves before hurriedly leaving the courtroom before the accused left the court.