By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A JURY expected to hear evidence in the trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting a minor for nearly two decades was discharged yesterday.
Justice Vera Watkins’ decision to discharge the nine-member jury in the trial of 50-year-old Prince Philip Rahming followed 30 minutes of legal discussions between Crown and defence counsel in the case.
Rahming is accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl – now an adult – between April 1997 and February 2013, allegations he has denied up to Monday when his lawyer Romona Farquharson-Seymour asked the judge for a short adjournment of the matter due to an ongoing murder trial she was in that ended Tuesday.
“The court has had discussions with counsel for the prosecution and counsel for the accused. And after having those discussions, the court has decided to discharge you. You are formally discharged of your duties,” the judge said.
Rahming, who is on bail, was instructed to return to the Supreme Court on September 15 for the expected conclusion of the discussions upon the Office of the Attorney General’s review of the matter.
A conviction for the sexual assault of a minor carries a prison term of seven years for the first conviction and 14 years for a subsequent conviction.
Patrick Sweeting represents the Crown.
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