Judge stops trial in $2M status con case

Cayman Islands courts, Grand Cayman

(CNS): A Grand Court judge has dismissed a jury that had been hearing evidence since last week in the crown’s case against Judith Douglas (54) from George Town, who is accused of scamming a victim of over CI$1.9 million in a con where she had allegedly promised him Caymanian status. In court Tuesday, Justice Tim Owen stopped the case for legal reasons, which cannot be reported as a result of a media gag order that he imposed on the press because a new trial is being rescheduled.

Before the jury was discharged, the judge gave a brief explanation to the seven men and women who had sat on the panel about why the case was being stopped while the alleged victim was still giving evidence under cross-examination.

Justice Owen then set a hearing for next week for the lawyers involved in the case. It is expected that a new trial date will be set shortly, when the case will be presented to a new jury panel. In the meantime, Douglas, who has denied the allegations, was remanded in custody.