THE Preliminary Inquiry into the shooting to death of George Bacchus commenced yesterday before Magistrate Bertlyn Reynolds at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.
In court yesterday, Jean Bacchus, the sister-in-law of George Bacchus took to the witness box as the prosecution's first witness.
She testified about her involvement in the police investigation subsequent to the killing of her brother-in-law.
She also gave evidence about the ownership of the property in which she resides and about the nature of the relationship she had with the now deceased man.
At the proceedings yesterday, Attorneys-at-Law Vic Puran and Glen Hanuman made an application for the court to grant them permission to visit the scene of the murder.
"Your worship, I would like to make an application for the defence to visit the locus," Puran said.
"Are you asking that the court must assist the defence in preparation of their case, Mr. Puran?" Magistrate Reynolds inquired.
"Your worship, all I am asking for is that we the defence see the place in which this man was murdered in order to properly defend our clients. Since the owner of the place where he was killed is a witness we cannot go and speak with her," Puran replied. Meanwhile, Hanuman who is representing Delon Reynolds made a slightly different application.
"Your worship, I am not applying for the defence counsels alone to visit the place of the crime, I am asking that the court visit the premises.
I am not clear where the houses are and where this sheep pen that is being referred to is and so I am at a loss. I cannot defend my client properly if I don't have these facts correct," Hanuman said.
"At this point in the PI, I do not see the need for the court to visit the scene since everything so far that was mentioned of the scene in the inquiry is clear. However, let me sleep on this decision," Magistrate Reynolds said.
Puran also told the Magistrate that his client (Debra Douglas) was not given any food or water since she was brought from Berbice yesterday morning. He said the police prevented the relatives from giving her the items.
The Magistrate told Puran that she will look into the problem but will not be dealing with such a matter on every occasion.
Fabian Jessop, his aunt Debra Douglas and Delon 'Fat Boy' Reynolds were all charged with the murder of George Bacchus, after Reynolds allegedly confessed to the police that he killed Bacchus.
It is alleged that Reynolds also admitted that he committed the act after being promised $200,000 by Jessop and Douglas.
The self confessed informant was killed at his Princes Street home on June 24 at about 02:40 hrs.
Jessop, who was reportedly in hiding ever since the murder, turned himself over to the police last week in company with his lawyer.