London, Oct 30: The judge in the theft trial of
Princess Diana's butler halted proceedings for the second time
without explanation yesterday and ordered the jury to go home.
Justice Anne Rafferty, who stopped the trial of Paul
Burrell last week while a new jury was chosen, told jurors to
call court officials later to find out if the case would be
continuing today.
"I hope we will sit tomorrow. It's a little uncertain now," she told the jury of seven men and five women.
The prosecution had planned to complete examining its
last witness yesterday and the defence case had been expected to
begin later in the day.
Burrell, 44, has pleaded innocent to three charges
relating to the theft of hundreds of items from the Princess
and other members of the royal family. Diana was killed in a
car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997. Burrell was arrested in
January 2001.
He is accused of taking more than 300 items between
January 1, 1997, and June 30, 1998. The property allegedly
included letters, photos, and compact discs owned by Diana,
Prince Charles or their son, Prince William, at Kensington
Palace, Diana's London home.
Rafferty gave no reason for replacing the jury last week.
Court orders forbid reporting why she dismissed the panel.
The judge also had ruled that some evidence - including
parts of Burrell's statement to police - can be suppressed to
protect Diana's sons, Princes William and Harry.
Bureau Report
