The June 2016 Criminal Assizes in Demerara opened on Tuesday, with a total of 116 cases to be heard over the
next four months.
The session commenced with its usual pomp and ceremony outside the High Court in Georgetown. The traditional march past was done early in the morning on South Road, with ranks from the Tactical Service Unit and the Guyana Police Force’s band marching from the Brickdam Police Station to the High Court.
Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry took the salute during the march past and also inspected the guard of honour. She along with Justice Navindra Singh and Justice Jo Ann Barlow will preside over this criminal session.
However, Justice Barlow will only be hearing cases until the end of June, after which she will be replaced by Justice James Bovell Drakes.
The opening of the June Assizes comes less than a week after the Apil session ended, with some 58 matters disposed of from a list of 163.
However, only 31 of those cases received attention in Court while the remaining 27 matters were nolle-prosequi by the Director of Public Prosecutions Chambers.
Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry inspecting the guard of honour during the opening ceremony of the June criminal session
