After two days of listening to testimony in the trial of double murder accused Henry Hugh Smith, the 12 member jury was informed that they would be discharged of their duty.
The former police officer, who was 28 at the time is accused of murdering his estranged wife Terah Bethel-Smith, 28, and her male companion Larry Dennis Fernander, 52. The pair were found with multiple gunshots wounds to their bodies on July 21, 2000.
Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall discharged the jury at about 10 minutes to 11 Wednesday morning. Court was slated to commence at 10.30 a.m. yesterday but there was a slight delay as it appeared that the justices and attorneys in the matter were in chambers. Once the group re-entered the courtroom CJ Hall told the jurors that a certain report was made to the court by a bailiff. As a result of the report the trial had to be discontinued.
Further he stated that some issues of a personal nature involving a female jury had arisen and for that reason the case could not go on. He noted that neither the court, the defence nor the prosecution was aware of the circumstances.
“Thank you for your services, aborted though it was,” CJ Hall told jurors.
Smith, 33, who seemed unfazed by the proceedings was informed of the new developments as he was in court and told that his new trial date would be July 12.
He was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison.
The prosecution was led by Jacqueline Forbes-Foster, along with Albertha Bartlette, while the defendant was represented by Murrilo Ducille and Tamara Taylor.
Source: JIMENITA SWAIN, Nassau Guardian Staff Reporter
