The first day of a drug trial involving two New York residents began yesterday in Supreme Court but was shortened because of legal arguments.

Ashley Williams Dickens, 25, pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to supply but pleaded not guilty to a charge of importing cocaine.

Latoya Nicole Hunt, 25, pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

The pair were arrested on May 2, 2002 while visiting the Island on a cruise ship.

Assistant Justice Archibald Warner adjourned early after dealing with legal arguments.

Earlier in the day, Hunt's lawyer, Elizabeth Christopher, said she wanted to constitutionally challenge Crown counsel Graveney Bannister's refusal of six of the seven black males called from the jury panel.

Ms Christopher said that Mr. Bannister was “racially and gender skewing'' the jury and was abusing his powers of unlimited challenge. Victoria Pearman, representing Dickens, and Ms Christopher only had three challenges each.

“The Crown has aversion to black men sitting on the jury,” Ms Christopher told the court.

Mr. Warner said constitutional motions would not be allowed to be heard during criminal cases. If the motion were to continue, he said, then the criminal trial would need to be adjourned.

The trial continues today.