The October Session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes opened this morning with one hundred and eighty three cases listed to be heard by five judges.
The session opened with the customary ceremonial parade which saw Justice Navindra Singh taking the salute.
The judges on rotation are Justices Singh, Madam Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, Justice Sandil Kissoon, Madam Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and Justice Peter Hugh.
The matters to be heard include murder, attempted murder, rape, and narcotics. More than thirty persons will stand trial for rape of children under the age of sixteen. Additionally, more than thirty are expected to stand trial for murder which includes two retrials.
In the June Session of the Assizes a total of 234 cases were listed. Sixty-nine cases were disposed of; 44 were presented in the High Court of which thirteen were for murder; six for manslaughter; fifteen attempted murders; 9 sexual offences and one for the offence of Accessory After the Fact of murder.
The remaining twenty-five cases were abandoned by the Director of Public Prosecution.