A Supreme Court murder trial was abruptly halted yesterday morning by an unusual legal challenge on the part of two overseas defence lawyers.

Quincy Stanley Brangman and Everett Jahni Bean are accused of the July 21, 2001 murder of Tekle Mallory at the Paget Ice Queen.

Their trial was set to begin in Supreme Court before Assistant Justice Archibald Warner but shortly after a jury of 12 was seated, objections to the jury selection process by defence lawyers stopped the trial for the day.

Both Brangman, 23, and Bean, 19, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge at the beginning of proceedings.

Brangman also pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding Lemuel Jamal Weeks with intent to do bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon - a knife - on July 21, 2001.

The two murder accused have hired Queens Counsels from the United Kingdom to present their legal defence against the charges.

QC Peter Thornton is representing Brangman and will be assisted by Tallo Mylvagunem, Darrell Clark and Michael Scott while QC Frank Phipps is appearing for Bean, assisted by Patrick Doherty.

As the jurors were called, Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo stood down three young, black men.

But shortly after the jury was empanelled the two defence lawyers launched a protest.

Mr. Thornton immediately asked for the trial to be adjourned, taking issue with the selection process.

Mr. Phipps echoed his request and Mr. Warner then released the entire jury pool in order to hear legal arguments.

The proceedings yesterday afternoon drew a large number of spectators from the legal community but the jury panel was excluded from the court as arguments took place.

Mr. Warner is expected to make a ruling on the challenge to the jury selection process this morning.

Mr. Mallory, 22, was stabbed to death in the early hours of the morning outside the fast food restaurant in Paget.