The rape trial of entertainment promotor Colin Mack began yesterday in the High Court before Justice Navindra Singh.
A panel of 12 jurors was selected yesterday morning and eight witnesses are expected to testify, including the virtual complainant.
State Counsel Mercedes Thompson, in her opening address, urged the jury to remember that they were there “in search for justice” and that they were the sole “judges” in the facts of the trial.
She stated that Mack was charged with raping a young woman after abducting her and assaulting her.
“You need to have an impartial mind and return a verdict that is consistent with the evidence in this case,” she told the jurors.
On April 15, 2009, Mack was charged with the rape of a 19 year-old woman. A magistrate, later in that year, ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against him and that he should be tried in a higher court.
Three days later, Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang granted Mack bail in the sum of $250,000 and ordered that his passport be lodged at the police station.
Assistant Commission-er of Police Brian Joseph yesterday testified that on April 12, 2009 he received information of an alleged rape and got in contact with Mack.
He said when he saw the accused, the man was sitting in his car.
He said he told him of the allegation and cautioned him about his rights and Mack responded, “Boss man, I talk to that girl mother already and I’m supposed to meet her at 6’ clock.”
Joseph recalled arresting Mack and placing him in his car, but deciding to let another police officer escort him to the Timehri Police Station.
Under cross-examination, Joseph agreed with the defence’s assertion that he only received information about an alleged rape and not information about an abduction or assault.
Defence attorney Peter Hugh also quizzed him on whether he had observed any marks of violence on Mack’s body. Joseph said there were none.
Two other police witnesses also testified to observing no injuries about Mack’s body.
The trial was adjourned until today.
