Next door neighbour of the accused, Evril Small, 52, of Lot 16 Second Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, was the first witness to be called by Police Inspector Gordon Peters, who is prosecuting in the case.

Alves, in whose yard Police dug up the body of Camille Seenauth called ‘Paro’ from a shallow grave in February, was not represented by counsel yesterday and declined to cross-examine Small.

The victim is believed to have died between February 14 and 15 and the pre-trial proceedings will continue today.

Meantime, Alves, accused of unlawfully killing Seenauth, remains a remanded prisoner.