Selgado’s Abetment Trial Adjourned ‘til January
Oscar Selgado
Today, the trial of attorney, Oscar Selgado was scheduled to go a full day, but halfway through the morning session, it was adjourned until the morning of January twenty-second, 2024. The adjournment followed a concern raised by the defense in reference to whether they would be permitted to address the details that came out of a previous voir dire, which was a preliminary examination of a particular witness’s statement. The concern that defense attorney Adolph Lucas Senior raised led the High Court Judge, Nigel Pilgrim to share a reference case with the defense – the details of which will take some time to digest. Justice Pilgrim decided that the matter should be called back in the new calendar year to allow the defense adequate time to review the bench book that was used as a reference. Lucas explained to the media in further detail why he raised the concern in court.
Adolph Lucas Sr.
Adolph Lucas Sr., Attorney for Oscar Selgado
“What has happened [is] the judge asking us, particularly the defense, whether I agree to incorporate what has happened in the Voir Dire, here in the main trial. So I told the judge that I do not have the judgment that is referred to in the text, in case book, sorry – bench book – Belize, Guyana and Barbados. So he provided me, which I’m grateful for, with the judgments that I referred to in there. So I need time to read them, so the judge decided, listen, let’s do it in January next year.”
Marion Ali
“You’ll be using that as reference, right? But you had brought up your own concern, or argument, sorry.”
Adolph Lucas Sr.
“Yes, my own concern, indeed.”
Marion Ali
“Can you expound on that for us?”
Adolph Lucas Sr.
“Well, the concern would be: if I agree to incorporate what has happened in the Voir Dire, will I be able to cross examine witnesses in reference to what happened in the Voir Dire? Will I be making any submission in reference to what happened in the Voir Dire? I do not want any obstruction because of my agreement. So the judge said, “No, you’ll be free to do that.” But I said I want to read the case – the judgment, before I do.”
