Murder accused Mortimer Melville yesterday gave a sworn statement in the voir dire (trial within a trial) that is being held before Justice Dawn Gregory in the High Court.
It is alleged that Melville, a bus conductor of 93 Prince William Street, Plaisance, and of Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust, and Jevon Ismond killed Nasir Alli, who was a former presidential guard, on August 21, 2007, during a robbery at Better Hope, East Coast.
Melville’s statement came after the prosecution presented two witnesses to the court at the beginning of the session.
The statement given by Melville was crossed-examined by prosecutor Renita Singh, who is representing the state along with Diana Kaulesar. The prosecution closed its case shortly after and submissions were subsequently made by the state and defence counsel Hookumchand. Justice Gregory is expected to rule on the voir dire on Monday.
Meanwhile, in Justice Roxane George’s courtroom, the voir dire in the trial of Kenise Glasgow, the man accused of murdering nine year-old Christine Sookra, also continued yesterday.
Sookra was shot dead by bandits during an attempt to break into her home at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, on August 28, 2004.
The voir dire will continue on Monday.
