DPP: History created as US-based witness testifies via live video in local murder trial

Mar 21, 2013 News

The Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday said that it made history in the Demerara Criminal Assizes when for the first time, in a criminal matter, it used a live audio/visual link, allowing for an overseas-based witness to give evidence in a murder trial.

The DPP Chambers said that for the first time in Guyana, a live video linkup was used to allow a witness to testify in a trial.

The audio/visual link was last year used in a civil matter in the High Court.
The DPP said it used the powers granted under the Evidence Amendment Act # 19 of 2008.
Justice Navindra Singh, who is conducting the trial, granted the application made by State Prosecutor, Konyo Thompson, in association with Dhanika Singh, to use the apparatus in open court.
According to the DPP Chambers, this was after he had examined the facility and was satisfied that the video link was of sufficiently good quality to obtain the witness’s oral testimony. The witness is now residing in the United States of America.
In the statement, the DPP noted that the usage of the modern technology would allow the State to obtain crucial testimony of witnesses who have not only migrated outside of the jurisdiction, but of witnesses who are no longer at the same location in Guyana that they were at the time of the incident.
“This audio/visual link is not only applicable to be used in the High Court (in Demerara), but also in the Magistrate’s Courts,” she said, adding that it will ensure for speedily trials.
Thompson echoed the DPP’s sentiments when she said that such modern technology urges well for obtaining crucial evidence in matters including murder cases.
The audio/visual apparatus was made available by the Supreme Court while Guyana’s Consul General to New York, Brentnold Evans, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made it possible for the main witness to be accommodated at the Consul’s office during the live link up yesterday.
“The DPP wishes to publicly express her sincerest gratitude to all parties involved that made the historic legal proceedings a success in the Criminal Justice System,” DPP said.