'Special hearing' for Patel trial

Jayant Patel.

Bundaberg News Mail

A BRISBANE Supreme Court Justice may open his court over the weekend to hear pre-trial arguments regarding the case of accused surgeon Dr Jayant Patel, whose trial is due to begin next week.

Justice John Byrne this morning told lawyers involved in the high-profile trial he would sit on Saturday from 9am to discuss final-hour issues relating to evidence and potential witnesses to be called in the case.

Former Bundaberg Hospital surgeon Dr Jayant Patel faces three counts of manslaughter and one count of grievous bodily harm relating to four patients he treated between January 2003 and April 2005.

Dr Patel attended court on Thursday and at one point during submissions he left the prisoner's dock to pass a hand-written note to his defence solicitor and barrister Michael Byrne QC.

Up to 90 witnesses could be called to give evidence in the trial, which has been set down for three months.

Read the full story on Brisbane Times.