Patel trial to call 90 witnesses

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 yesterday 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 today dressed in a dark brown suit, light blue shirt and brown and blue-patterned tie.

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

Twelve jurors and three reserves will be empanelled on Monday.

It is expected the first witness will not be called until Tuesday. The trial is being streamed live through a video link to the Bundaberg Courthouse from Monday.

Courtroom two in Bundaberg will be treated like an extension of the Brisbane Supreme Court – trial witnesses will not be able to watch proceedings and security will guard the viewing area.