Businessman Bernard Maigrot does not want the prosecution to refer to the new scientific evidence in his opening speech. His lawyer, Gavin Glover, Senior Counsel, made a motion to this effect on Monday, May 20, 2024, during the trial against him for the murder of Vanessa Lagesse committed in March 2001.
“Since my client has never been confronted with this new scientific evidence, it is therefore inadmissible. It is not appropriate for the prosecution to explicitly mention them in its opening speech,” argued Mr. Gavin Glover.
Following this defense motion, Me Darshana Gayan, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, indicated that she would not refer to the new scientific evidence explicitly. Judge Luchmyparsad Aujayeb asked the lawyers of both sides to consult on this aspect before proceeding. The prosecution will have to express its position again this Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
Furthermore, the session was also marked by the selection of a panel of nine jurors, including six men and three women. In addition, Mr. Glover asked the judge to issue a warning to the press regarding the manner of reporting the upcoming hearings. This involves keeping the members of the jury away from comments so as not to harm his client, Bernard Maigrott.
In this case, Bernard Maigrot pleaded not guilty to the murder of Vanessa Lagesse. The stylist's body was discovered in her bathtub on March 9, 2001. Injuries were also found on her body. A list of 53 witnesses was drawn up as part of this trial. The hearing will begin on May 28, 2024.
