Murder trial to begin Wednesday after Appeal Court rejects stay application

The trial of a woman accused of committing murder 18 years ago is set to begin on Wednesday, after the Court of Appeal dismissed an urgent application to stay the criminal proceedings.

Haniyfa Reza White, of Sion Hill, St James, had sought to halt the start of her murder trial in the No. 5 Supreme Court, but the appellate court rejected the bid on Tuesday afternoon.

Represented by attorney Lalu Hanuman in the civil matter, White had filed an urgent application before the appellate court to stay the criminal proceedings.

Lengthy arguments were presented by Hanuman and Acting Principal State Counsel Jared Richards, who appeared for the Office of the Attorney General. After hearing both sides, the panel – comprising Chief Justice Leslie Haynes and Justices of Appeal Francis Belle and Jacqueline Cornelius-Thorne – dismissed the application.

A 12-member jury is therefore expected to begin to hear evidence in the 18-year-old murder charge in the No. 5 Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney is prosecuting the matter, while attorney Safiya Moore represents the accused.

White is accused of murdering Julene Bryan on May 16, 2007.