The murder trial of Phillip McCartney has been hit by another delay.
McCartney is accused of the August 13, 2010 beating death of Chrishanda Swain.  She was last seen alive with a man who had given her a ride from a nightclub on Soldier Road.  Hours later, Swain's partially naked body was found on a track road off Faith Avenue.
Presiding Justice Bernard Turner on January 19 dismissed the jury and held private discussions between Jillian Williams, the prosecutor, and McCartney's lawyer Romona Farquharson.
Farquharson asked for the jury to be excused after prosecution witness Patrina Rolle revealed during cross-examination that she had attended an identification parade and picked out someone.  Rolle never mentioned the police lineup, neither did the prosecutor ask her about one during her direct evidence.
Rolle, who was Swain's cousin, and another cousin, Lekeisha Lockhart, accompanied Swain to the club, according to the evidence.  Rolle and Lockhart were dropped off at a home in Pinewood Gardens by a man who picked them up as they walked home, the court heard.  The man was supposed to take Swain to her home, which was about a seven to 10 minute walk away.
Yesterday afternoon, Turner delivered a ruling with respect to the private discussions before the jury was called in.  However, the case could not proceed because Rolle was not present.
Turner did not agree with a request by Williams to interpose another witness in Rolle's absence.
The hearing continues today at 11 a.m.
McCartney is on remand at Her Majesty's Prisons.

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