The trial of three men accused of killing American visitor Stanley Lee in 2001 has been halted because it is uncertain whether the chief prosecutor would be able to finish it.

Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo began the case on Tuesday but yesterday said he couldn't guarantee he could stay the course for the trial which involves several overseas witness and should last at least two weeks.

Mr. Tokunbo's three-year contract comes to an end this month and he has been replaced by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Kulandra Ratneser.

Assistant Justice Archibald Warner said in Supreme Court: "It's ridiculous we are at this stage. No one has told me anything.

"I have read in the papers that Mr. Tokunbo will not be director after Monday the eighth. If he starts the trial he has no jurisdiction to continue."

He said the court had been embarrassed by the situation but he did not single out anyone for criticism.

The Royal Gazette asked Mr. Tokunbo why he had started the case and hadn't sent another prosecutor.

He said: "What are you talking about? That is a nonsensical question." He declined to comment further.

The three accused, currently on remand at Westgate, are Robert Blair Tucker, 35, of Astwood Close, Pembroke, James Allan (Spooks) Dill, 56, also of Astwood Close and Terranz Sydney (Monster) Smith, 34, of Somerset Road, Sandys.

The decomposed body of Lee was found in bushes at Lagoon Park in Somerset on August 9, 2001 but the murder of the 43-year-old is believed to have taken place on or around July 28 of that year.

Yesterday Mr. Smith's lawyer Edward Bailey said it was a travesty and that justice delayed was justice denied.

Mr. Warner adjourned the case until the April 1 arraignment sessions but in the meantime will also be hearing bail applications for the accused.