Of the 15 potential jurors originally summoned, some were previously disqualified and only eight were present yesterday before Coroner Brassington Reynolds at Sparendaam Court, also on East Coast Demerara.

However, instead of allowing the required five to be selected, attorney-at-law Mr. Raphael Trotman, who is looking into the interest of widowed Simi Ragnauth and other relatives, contended that the jurors must be from the same Magisterial District and County.

The lawyer also said persons should be chosen randomly and not hand-picked, and must be from the neighbourhood, according to the law.

Mr. Basil Williams, who is associated with Trotman, suggested that about 15 people be summoned the next time and their names put in a bag for the random choice of five.

Coroner Reynolds pointed out that the proceedings can start with five persons and, if for any reason someone becomes ill or dies, the inquiry can continue with below the legal minimum, as the fifth person could be excused permanently.

He instructed that all the lawyers concerned with the matter be served with copies of the Police and post mortem reports.

Coroner Reynolds said this particular inquest is important for the public well-being and all parties with interest.

He said, on Friday, not less than 10 persons would be summoned and five would be chosen.

Senior Counsel Bernard DeSantos, who is representing the Police, said he has no objections to the persons being summoned.

But he argued that Section 22 of the Act has no definition of neighbourhood and that has to be gleaned from a dictionary.

Trotman observed that 15 people have already been summoned for whatever process is being used and the Coroner should utilise that listing and instruct his clerk to send summonses to them.