The Cooper twins murder trial got off to a false start yesterday and has been delayed until next week for legal arguments.

Armed Police were on high-profile patrol amid tight court security as defendants Kenneth Jermaine Burgess and Dennis Alma Robinson arrived in the dock for what was due to be the first day of a four-week double murder trial.

But after half an hour of behind the scenes talks with lawyers, Chief Justice Richard Ground decided to delay the start until Monday.

He said he hoped the extra time for legal discussions meant the case would run more smoothly and not overrun.

The decision to adjourn came before a jury had been selected.

That process is now due to take place on Monday morning.

Burgess, 33, of Cottage Hill Road, Hamilton Parish, and Robinson, 34, of Palm Valley, Southampton, deny murdering 20-year-old twins Jahmal and Jahmil Cooper on March 13.

The defendants, dressed smartly and wearing suits and ties at yesterday?s hearing, both remain in custody.

Before the adjournment, Supreme Court One was packed with Police officers, legal officials and relatives of the accused.

Side gates around the court complex were locked and Police manned the main entrance by Magistrates? Court as security was significantly ramped up for the high-profile case.

A metal detector had also been installed at the entrance to Court One, and security guards were checking everybody who entered the courtroom to ensure weapons were not taken in.

Meanwhile, two top barristers who flew into Bermuda from Britain earlier this week yesterday represented their clients in court for the first time.

Courtney Griffiths QC ? who represented one of the youths cleared of murdering ten-year-old Damilola Taylor in the UK ? leads the defence team for Burgess, backed by Takiyah Burgess. John Perry QC, working with Charles Richardson, is the counsel for Robinson.

The team prosecuting the case is DPP Director Vinette Graham-Allen and Crown counsels Paula Tyndale and Cindy Clarke.