Judge dismisses jury after legal wrangling

(CNS):  A young George Town man will remain in custody while he awaits a second trial due to the potential prejudice of the legal arguments presented by attorneys in the first trial.  Justice Charles Quinn discharged the jurors Wednesday half way through the trial of 21-year-old Justin Ramoon and a new panel of jurors will be selected in February to decide his fate. The judge released the seven member jury, stating that his decision was made in the interest of justice and the defendant. Ramoon is charged with attempted murder and an alternative count of wounding with intent in connection to a stabbing that occurred in the parking lot of Archie’s Bar on Shedden Road in August of last year.

Ramoon upholds his innocence, despite being identified by the victim, Andrew Lopez, who is the crown’s primary witness. Lopez claims to have known the defendant for a number of years and has identified Ramoon as the person who had attacked and continuously stabbed him from behind as he stood by his car drinking outside the George Town bar.

During the attack Lopez sustained wounds in multiple areas, as well as a punctured lung, which was discovered upon his arrival to the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, where he was questioned by a number of police officers.

Following the dismissal of the jury, Ramoon was remanded in custody to HMP Northward until his return to court for a new trial date.