A murder trial came to an abrupt halt yesterday after it emerged that one of the jurors was once a schoolmate of the chief investigator.
The discovery led to discharge of the jury in the Court of First Instance, where Young Kwok-cheung, 36, stood accused of a 12-year-old offence.
Young, who avoided arrest for 11 years, denies murdering Lui Yuk-choi, 26, on August 31, 1989. Lui died of suffocation. His body was found partly buried at Lung Ha Wan, Sai Kung.
Young may now have to wait for months for a new trial before Mr Justice Colin Jackson, whose court diary is so packed that the first available date is in January.
'It's quite apparent to me the defendant is under considerable stress and for very good reason,' Mr Justice Jackson said. 'So the earlier his trial date can be set or arranged, the better.'
An earlier date may be obtained before a different judge. Young's case will be up for re-listing.
