THE recurring absence of defence attorneys involved in the trial of 25 alleged members of the so-called Tesha Miller faction of the Klansman gang has again become a sore point for trial Judge Justice Dale Palmer.

There are 29 defence attorneys, including junior counsels involved in the 25-defendant matter which began on February 4, however on any given day the number present in the courtroom hovers below 10.

On Thursday, day 39 of the trial, Justice Palmer made his concern a matter of record when he entered the courtroom and saw all 25 defendants in place, the prosecution team, court staff, but only one member of the defence team.