Michaela Harte trial gets underway amid chaotic scenes in Mauritius

Husband John McAreavey in court as defendants arrive

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The Legends Hotel complex, where the young bride was murdered, and Michaela Harte

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Michaela Harte’s husband John came face to face with her killers on Tuesday after their murder trial opened in Mauritius.

John McAreavey had to battle his way through an unruly crowd to take his seat in the packed courtroom on Tuesday morning according to reports.

The Irish Independent’s website said the jury of six men and three women was sworn in to hear the case against the hotel employees charged with murdering Michaela McAreavey on her honeymoon.

The jury selection process in Court 5 of the Mauritian Supreme Court took just over an hour according to the report before jurors retired to select a foreman.

The website says there were chaotic scenes outside as the two accused arrived.

Defendants Avinash Treebhoowoon and Sandip Moneea were led into the dock as a crowd of almost 200 people crammed into every available space inside.

Eye witnesses say relatives of the accused were jostled as police struggled to control the flow of people into court.

John McAreavey was accompanied by his sister Claire, father Brendan and Michaela’s brother Mark Harte.
He sat in court for a short time but was then was asked to leave as he is a witness in the case.

Michaela was found dead in the bathtub of her luxury hotel room last January, two weeks after her wedding.

The trial is expected to last two weeks with more than 30 witnesses listed to give evidence.

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