Defence lawyers’ withdrawal disrupts some criminal court proceedings

The withdrawal of defence lawyers from criminal courts on Monday disrupted proceedings in some cases, although other trials continued with attorneys present.

In the Supreme Court, the trial involving the Clansman defendants proceeded without lawyers for a time, with a statement read into evidence. However, the matter could not continue for the entire day because of the attorneys’ absence.

Meanwhile, the murder trial of Andre Ruddock, the accused in the Pathways International Kingdom Restoration Ministries ritual killing, proceeded with lawyers present. Ruddock is on trial for the October 2021 murder of 39-year-old Taneka Gardner, whose throat was slashed during an alleged ritual at the St James church.