Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The trial of Ivan Taylor, the man charged with the murder of Trinidadian teacher Michelle Coudray-Greaves, took a surprised twist in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday as it was revealed that the accused man was questioned by the police without his lawyer's knowledge or consent.

"Mr Taylor was removed from his cells on no less than two occasions to be questioned by the police. He was first removed on November 3 and again on the following Monday," defence attorney Stacy-Ann Young told the court yesterday.

"He was questioned in detail on personal matters as well as in relation to this matter," she told the court adding that her client "felt as though he was being harassed."

Under the law, a defendant has the right to have legal counsel during police interrogations.

Resident Magistrate Wong-Small, on hearing of the unlawful act, ordered that the officer responsible for the interrogation should be identified.

"I want to know who is questioning him on this matter while it is before the court," Wong-Small said.

"I don't care who it is, it is a breach of the accused man's rights; no police person is allowed to transgress those rights, it is not allowed and it is not to happen again."

Additionally, Young told the court that Taylor, who has been offered bail, was still having trouble taking up his $300,000 bail. The Resident Magistrate yesterday further reduced bail by $100,000.

The body of Coudray-Greaves, the daughter of Marlene Coudray, the Minister of Gender Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, was found burnt in a cane field on the outskirts of Montego Bay on June 11.