The rape trial of Sylon “Sly” Forbes began Tuesday morning with the jury selection.
The case, which a High Court official said involves a minor, was closed to the public, according to a court guard.
Mr. Forbes, 30, of Trinidad, was arrested on April 11, 2013, and charged with one count of rape and one count of child pornography, police said at the time.
The court closure appears to be in keeping with a relatively recent new practice at the High Court.
Director of Public Prosecutions Wayne Rajbansie told the court on Nov. 18 that his office had recently adopted a “policy” of requesting that all matters involving sex crimes against minors be closed to the public. In most, if not all, cases, the High Court has granted these requests.
In recent months, prosecutors also have successfully requested that the media be barred from some sex crime trials involving no minors. This happened in December in the trial of Paul Anthony Alexander, who eventually was found not guilty of rape.
“It’s important to report these matters. However, the accused and victims have a right to privacy,” Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe explained when the new “policy” was announced.
Before the “policy” took effect, media members typically were admitted to trials involving sexual offences, even against minors, but they frequently were given specific instructions as to the extent of the reporting allowed. For example, reporters often were allowed to attend on the condition that they withhold any details that might lead to the identification of the alleged victim.