Treason inquiry adjourned as defence witnesses absent
Stabroek News
February 14, 2003
The absence of defence witnesses yesterday forced the adjournment of the Prelimi-nary Inquiry into the charges of treason against Mark Benschop and Phillip Bynoe.
Magistrate Chandra Sohan, who is presiding over the hearing, adjourned proceedings until Monday following the non-appearance of defence witness Charles Smith and the defence's failure to produce new witnesses.
When the hearing resumed at 10:30 am yesterday, neither Smith nor any defence lawyer was present and Benschop asked the court for a stay of fifteen minutes and explained that he was not informed of whether they would be attending or not.
The Magistrate granted him ten minutes at the expiration of which defence attorney Mortimor Coddett arrived.
Noting that he had no other witnesses Coddett added that he could offer no excuse for Smith's absence. "When he was here on the last occasion I think he understood very clearly."
Coddett however told the court that the defence would be ready to proceed on Monday.
The Magistrate meanwhile made a request that all parties be present at court at 9:30 am. He noted that although the hearing is usually fixed to begin at that hour, it usually does not get underway until 10:30 am.
Inquiring of the police the reason why the prisoner is usually brought to court at a late hour, the Magistrate was informed that the prisoner is usually not prepared.
Benschop however informed the Magistrate that he is usually dressed by 8 am but is not picked up until later in the morning, prompting the Magistrate to order that he brought to court for 9:30 am in order to accommodate a full day's work.
