The heated exchange was not about insufficient witnesses but between Special Prosecutor Sanjeev Datadin and the prisoner during a brief recess around 13:00 hrs (1 pm).

With Magistrate Chandra Sohan in chambers, Benschop was in conversation with his wife, Maria, in the courtroom when they were interrupted by a policeman who attempted to take the prisoner away.

Benschop appeared hesitant and Datadin intervened, leading to an argument during which the former accused the latter of having threatened his life and an uproar followed.

On resuming the Bench, Magistrate Sohan remarked on the "hostile environment" in which the PI is being conducted and said he would bar the public from the pre-trial hearing and allow only the media and immediate family members, unless the norms of Court procedure prevail.

A member of the Defence team, Ms. Carol Martindale related to the magistrate what had transpired during the short adjournment and quoted Datadin.

But Datadin disputed what was reported and dared anyone else to offer corroboration.

When Police Inspector Lowe said he, too, heard the Prosecutor make the threat, Martindale suggested that Datadin withdraw the remarks and apologise but prosecuting counsel maintained his denial.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Keith Bobb-Semple, of the Presidential Guard, was the third witness called since the inquiry began Monday and his testimony lasted four and a half hours.

After Datadin estimated how long the next witness would take, Magistrate Sohan said he would adjourn to Monday, September 30.

However, objection was raised by other Defence Counsel Mortimer Coddette, who said that would further delay the process.

Coddette was to have sought an audience with Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Desiree Bernard yesterday afternoon, in a bid to have the case continue without any more interruptions but the outcome was not known up to press time.