UPDATE: Watt Town murder trial to continue next year following lawyer's absence

The two men charged with the murder of 74-year-old returning resident Florist Clarke, of Watt Town, St Ann will have to wait until January 11 next year for the resumption of their trial.

The men have been on trial for the past four weeks but it had to be halted this week when Justice Gloria Smith was informed that defence attorney Donald Bryan had left the island over the weekend without making provision for representation for co-accused Arthur Robinson.

When the case was mentioned this morning, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Council, Hugh Faulkner, informed the court that he was contacted to assist with finding a senior lawyer to represent Robinson.

He said he approached two senior lawyers but one of them was not available and the other said he would assist.

However, Faulkner says the lawyer had some challenges and so he could not represent Arthur Robinson.

On Monday, the court was told that Bryan would not be available until next week Tuesday.

But today some of the jurors said they would not be able to sit next week as they had previous travel arrangements.

The judge then extended the bail of Robinson and 64-year-old businessman, Bertram Clarke, the husband of the deceased woman.

They are to return to the Home Circuit Court next week Friday when it is expected that Bryan will be present.

In October 2007, Robinson and Clarke were arrested and charged with the murder of Mrs Clarke.