Legal Aid funded the defence of convicted murderer George MacDonald (Messy) Liburd, however, it has yet to be revealed exactly how much the four week Supreme court trial has cost the taxpayer.

Liburd was represented by Queen?s Counsel John Perry during the four week trial after refusing to work with local lawyers that legal aid had provided.

The case took three years to come to trial as the court was thrown into confusion over who would be representing the defendant.

Senior Legal Aid counsel Susan Moore Williams told she would not be able to comment on the cost of the defence without clearance from her superiors.

She also said the matter had yet to come to a close and Legal Aid would not go public at the moment with any cost figure.

Last year Liburd appeared before Puisne Judge Ian Kawaley without any legal representation. His lawyer at the time, Elizabeth Christopher, had her request to be taken off the case granted.

Liburd also refused to work with a series of defence lawyers while others were unavailable. Mrs. Moore-Williams told the court last year: ?We have tried to facilitate (Liburd) with a series of attorneys. He said he wanted Ms Christopher, then said he no longer wanted her.

?We urged it upon him that his (trial) was coming up.?

?On September 17, he said his family would assist him with getting representation by a Queen?s Counsel. On October 1, we urged him to make a decision. He agreed that he had no name to offer me. I referred it to the Legal Aid Committee on October 7.

?When Mr. Llewellyn Peniston was assigned for representation, Liburd then said he was not happy with Mr. Peniston and wanted to be transferred to Richard Hector QC.

When I contacted Mr. Hector on Friday, October 15, he said that he would be off the Island and would not be in a position to assist the defendant.?

Liburd then wished for Victoria Pearman to assist him, however, Ms Pearman was also unable to represent him.

Principal Crown counsel Juan Wolffe objected to the adjournment as the crime took place in 2002, had been fixed for trial before and had been adjourned once before by the defendant.

?But our overriding concern is for the family of Ms Trott who deserve closure and fairness,? said Mr. Wolffe.