The murder trial of Kamal Worrell was delayed again yesterday so that legal arguments could be heard.

The jury did not attend either the morning or afternoon sessions in Courtroom 4 of the Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building to allow lawyers involved in the case to settle some matters relating to the trial.

Mr Worrell has denied allegations of murdering Chavelle Dillon-Burgess on an unknown date between April 10 and June 11, 2020.

He has also denied a charge of wounding Ms Dillon-Burgess and a charge of common assault related to an incident on June 1, 2019 and six counts of common assault related to an incident on November 14, 2018.

The trial started on November 10, but has been hit by a series of postponements.

On one occasion, proceedings were delayed after the defendant was admitted to hospital for a shaving cut.

An outbreak of illness among the jury caused further delays.

The trial, which is being heard before Puisne Judge Juan Wolffe, will resume today when Mr Worrell, who is representing himself, is expected to continue his defence.

During Friday’s session, Mr Worrell — who has a son from his relationship with Ms Dillon-Burgess — told the jury that he deliberately avoided joining group searches for the missing woman for fear of his own safety.

He said: “When all of that was going on, I had my son to deal with, and I had to think about my own safety.

“Part of the reason why I wasn’t at any of the public searches or vigils was I didn’t know who was out there. I didn’t want to put myself in that position or my son in that position.”

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