29/06/2012

McAreavey Trial Put On Hold Today

The trial of two men accused of murdering a Co Tyrone newlywed has been put on hold while lawyers attempted to resolve an outstanding legal issue.

Judge Mr Justice Prithviraj Fecknah thanked jurors at the Mauritius murder trial surrounding Michaela McAreavey's death for their patience.

No evidence was taken on the 27th day of a case that was originally scheduled to last just nine.

Local men Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea deny murdering Mrs McAreavey, 27, in her honeymoon suite at the luxury Legends Hotel, where they both worked.

The prosecution claims they attacked her when she caught them stealing.

The trial at the island's capital city, Port Louis, was due to resume today, with Treebhoowoon taking to the witness stand for a fourth day to testify in his own defence.

But the judge excluded jurors from proceedings and then called them back in to say proceedings would resume on Monday.

He said: "Members of the jury I have to inform you that since this morning we have not called you in court because we had to deal with a matter of law. That matter has now been sorted out and we will resume on Monday morning. I thank you very much for your patience."

(NE/GK)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 June 2012
McAreavey Murder Trial Told Cause Of Death Was Asphyxiation
The Michaela McAreavey murder trial heard today that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to compression of the neck The chief police medical officer in Mauritius was giving evidence in the Supreme Court this morning.
05 March 2008
Deliberations Resume For Brian Kearney Trial
Jury deliberations will resume today for the trail of Brian Kearney who is accused of murdering his wife at their home in Goatstown, Dublin in February 2006. Judge Mr Justice Barry White sent the twelve members of the jury to a hotel following over two hours of deliberations.
21 June 2012
Further Delays In Michaela McAreavey Murder Trial
The trial of two men accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius has been adjourned again until next week. It is understood the delay in proceedings is due to outstanding legal matters. Yesterday, the court sat without the jury present to allow lawyers and judge Mr Justice Prithviraj Fecknah time to resolve the issues.
03 July 2012
McAreavey Accused Tells Murder Trial He Was 'On The Phone'
One of the men accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius has told the trial he was making a telephone call at the time she died.
13 June 2012
McAreavey Trial Adjourned To Address 'Legal Issues'
THE trial the Michaela McAreavey murder accused has been adjourned without hearing evidence today. The unexpected move came after a lawyer for one of the defendants told the court he needed time to address outstanding legal issues.