Kern Spencer’s trial pushed into afternoon session

The trial of former junior Energy Minister Kern Spencer was delayed on Monday morning and is now slated to resume in the afternoon at two o'clock.

The matter had stalled previously after Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn applied to the High Court for judicial review of Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey's handling of the trial.

However High Court Justice Lloyd Hibbert dismissed the application on the grounds that it was premature and had no merit, paving the way for the trial to resume.

Defence attorneys had raised strong objections to the move and accused the DPP of trying to discredit the Presiding Magistrate.

The DPP's application had put on hold a ruling by Ms Pusey whether to dismiss the trial.    

Mr. Spencer's attorneys had asked Magistrate Pusey to dismiss the case on the basis that the former minister could not get a fair trial based on Ms Llewellyn's handling of the case.

They cited the DPP's decision to drop criminal charges against former accused turned star witness, Rodney Chin and her refusal to disclose the details of her meetings with Mr. Chin.

Mr. Spencer and his former personal assistant Coleen Wright are on trial for conspiracy and money laundering arising from the Cuban Lightbulb programme.