Magistrate to continue P.I. as charged

Magistrate to continue P.I. as charged
Guyana Chronicle
September 19, 2002

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MAGISTRATE Chandra Sohan, whose oral directions to the Prosecution to amend the treason charge against Phillip Bynoe and Mark Benschop sparked off a motion in the Full Court, has changed his position and now undertakes to conduct the Treason inquiry in accordance with the treason charge as sworn to.

After hearing this revelation from Attorney General Doodnauth Singh, S.C., who was appearing on behalf of the Magistrate, the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature, which was asked by the Director of Public Prosecutions Mr Denis Hanomansingh to find that the Magistrate had erred in his ruling, decided that there was no need to make a further order in the matter.

Consequently, President of the Court Mr B.S. Roy, with Justice William Ramlall and Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards ruled:-

"Based on the undertaking given by the Magistrate, through his Counsel, the Attorney General, Mr Doodnauth Singh, S.C. M.P., that he (the Magistrate) would proceed with the Preliminary Inquiry into the treason charge as sworn to by Deputy Commissioner of Police Leon Trim, we do not see the need for a further order by us."

Senior Counsel Mr Bernard De Santos, representing the DPP, Leading Counsel for the Defence Mr Basil Williams and the Attorney General, were among a battery of lawyers, who left the crowded Courtroom after hearing the Full Court pronounce that the Preliminary Inquiry would begin on Monday next. (GEORGE BARCLAY)