The preliminary inquiry into the death of cattle farmer Shafeek Bacchus, brother of self-professed death squad informant George Bacchus, was again adjourned yesterday, this time due to the absence of Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen.
Attorneys-at-law Vic Puran and Compton Richardson were both prepared to start with the case but nothing could be done since Holder-Allen was not present.
Principal Magistrate Cecil Sullivan who took over for the Chief Magistrate has scheduled May 3 for the commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry.
Richardson who appeared distraught over the matter told Sullivan that the men have been remanded for a while now and they have been charged for the capital offence of murder, and the case should be looked into as soon as possible.
Relatives and friends who turned up to witness the hearing were kept apart from Ashton King and Shawn Hinds by tight police security in the courtyard.
On Wednesday supporters of the defendants clashed with police when they were ordered to clear a passageway in the courtyard. Later as the prisoners emerged and supporters lost control, one woman grabbed King and refused to release him until police intervened.
King and Hinds were charged on January 16 along with Mark Thomas, who later died in hospital, for murdering Bacchus on January 5 as he sat outside his Princes Street home.