A shortage of jurors yesterday stalled the murder trial of five men whose case was marked 'priority' on the court list in the Home Circuit Court.

When the men appeared in court, Donald Bryan, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, told Justice Lloyd Hibbert that there were not enough jurors to try the case.

Yesterday, about 30 jurors turned up at court but at least 82 jurors were needed for the empanelling to choose the 12-member jury. The accused men are each entitled to challenge seven jurors which total 35 jurors while the prosecution is also entitled to make 35 challenges.

The men, who are all in custody, are to return to court on February 5 for trial.

Attorney-at-law Lloyd McFarlane, who is representing one of the men, told the court that the men were offered bail in an enormous sum but were unable to take up the bail offer. He said Chief Justice Lensely Wolfe had first offered them bail in the sum of $5 million each with sureties. However, that sum was later reduced by another judge to $4 million each.

They are charged with the murder of 16-year-old Delroy Lawrence, who was fatally shot on December 11, 2001 in Franklin Town, Kingston 16. Lawrence was putting up Christmas lights at a house when he was shot.

The sole eyewitness and the investigating officer were present at court.

The accused men are Kimarley Cooper, Carlos Howard, Leslie Nugent, Richard Peart and Damion Crosdale.