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State Prosecutor, Vic Puran, in the treason matter against Leonard Wharton, Bruce Munroe and his wife Carol-Ann Munroe, yesterday sought to press home his case for the testimony of Army Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James to be re-opened.James had on numerous occasions given evidence against the treason trio on behalf of the prosecution, and now Puran wants that same witness back on the stand. The prosecution wants James to go over tapes that he presented and identified, since the integrity of the very tapes was questioned.However, Defense Attorney Nigel Hughes,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, representing the treason trio, objected to having James return to the stand. Hughes was of the view that re-opening of James’ testimony would take up time, further delaying the preliminary inquiry exercise into the treason matter. He lamented that the treason matter was already plagued by a three month delay, amongst other delays, due to the leave of absence of the Director of Public Prosecution, Shalimar-Ali Hack. She was previously prosecuting the matter.Submissions for and against James’ return were however made by both the prosecution and the defense prosecution and to solidify the prosecution’s request, Puran cited several reference cases to support the grounds on which his application was made.According to him, since treason was the highest crime in the land, the prosecution should be given the opportunity to have the witness return to the stand.Hughes did not have legal authorities he wished to call. He had previously said that the prosecution was obligated to tell the court that it was not listening to original tapes. Quite satisfied with his submission, the lawyer said, “I have no case to present.”In the coming days, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry will make a ruling on the submissions.Previously, one of the prosecution’s witnesses had admitted that the tapes being played to the court were not the original. These articles are said to be significant pieces of evidence in the treason matter and when Puran was asked, he claimed that not playing the original tapes was an oversight.This caused the request for James to return to the stand to make the connection with the original recordings. Hughes believes that the promise under the law of a fair and timely hearing for the accused persons is being jeopardized.Wharton and the Munroes have been incarcerated since December of 2010 for the offence of treason, a capital offence that is not bailable. They are accused of approaching persons to conspire attacks on the previous President Bharrat Jagdeo-led government. The police alleged that they had audio evidence to prove that the persons tried to overthrow the Guyana government.The matter will be called again today. |
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