Michaela trial descends into near farce

The trial of the two hotel workers accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey descended into near farce as a lawyer dramatically withdrew from the case and signalled his intent to appear as a witness.

Ravi Rutnah, a barrister for defendant Avinash Treebhoowon, told the court he was stepping down after claiming that a senior police officer had attacked his professional integrity while giving evidence.

In a final flourish before leaving the Supreme Court in Port Louis, Mr Rutnah declared to the jury that he would be back in “Arnold Schwarzenegger style”.

The development has left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over proceedings, pending legal submissions this morning.

It came after prosecution witness Chief Inspector Luciano Gerard told the court how Mr Treebhoowon had confessed to murdering, along with co-worker Sandip Mooneea, the daughter of Tyrone Gaelic football boss Mickey Harte at the island’s Legends Hotel in Jan 2011.

In the statement, the accused asked for forgiveness and said they had only intended to steal from the 27-year-old teacher’s room, but killed her when she came back and caught them red-handed.

“If the woman did not come, we would have stole the money,” he told police after his arrest.

“We don’t know her, we had no reason to kill her. Because she saw us we had to kill her.”

As well as reading the defendant’s admission statement — which described in graphic detail Ms McAreavey’s last moments as she fought for her life — Mr Gerard made a series of claims about Mr Rutnah.

He said he was late arriving for a meeting with his client who had signalled his desire to make a confession statement, and he also shared food in a convivial atmosphere with investigating police officers.

Mr Rutnah said this amounted to an “accusatory attack” on his reputation.

“As a direct consequence of that, I have decided to withdraw representing accused number one, Avinash Treebhoowon,” he said.

The lawyer added: “I wish to withdraw, but I will be back — in Arnold Schwarzenegger style.”

In the wake of his exit, Mr Treebhoowon’s remaining counsel, Sanjeev Teeluckdharry, told judge Mr Justice Prithviraj Fecknah that he wanted to tender a list of additional witnesses for the defence. Mr Rutnah is one of those proposed to take the stand.

However, with witnesses in Mauritian courts usually unable to attend proceedings ahead of giving evidence — a rule that has seen Ms McAreavey’s husband, John, excluded from the trial thus far — the court is presented with a problem.

Judge Fecknah adjourned the trial early to allow both defence and prosecution counsel to consider their next moves.