Treason trial postponed
Magistrate still absent
Stabroek News
January 9, 2003
The Preliminary Inquiry into the charges of treason against Mark Benschop and Philip Bynoe, set to resume yesterday, was postponed, owing to the absence of the presiding magistrate, Chandra Sohan.
The hearing was fixed for next Friday by Acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen. Magistrate Sohan is expected to be back next Thursday.
Magistrate Sohan at the previous hearing informed the defence team that owing to an urgent matter he would be leaving the jurisdiction.
The absence of the presiding magistrate caused the defence team to lodge a complaint with the acting Chief Magistrate. Lead counsel for the defence, Basil Williams asserted that someone in the hierarchy of the court needs to condemn Magistrate Sohan’s behaviour. Fellow defence counsel, Mortimer Coddett observed that the magistrate’s absence should have been conveyed to the defence team much earlier since witnesses were travelling far distances to appear in court and were paying the costs.
