The Court of Appeal commenced the hearing for Oscar Selgado, a 56-year-old attorney convicted of abetment to murder in the case of Marilyn Barnes, on October 14, 2025. Selgado, sentenced to 10 years by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in June 2024, is contesting both his conviction and the severity of his sentence. His legal team, comprising Arthur Saldivar and Darrell Bradley, argued that the trial was marred by procedural flaws, including an allegedly incomplete transcript and the disputed admissibility of a key witness’s statement. Giovanni Ramirez, the crown’s primary witness, did not testify in person due to claimed fears for his safety. His statement was admitted under a voidaire, a legal mechanism for fearful witnesses. Saldivar also contended that the 10-year sentence was disproportionate, citing a similar case where the defendant received a six-year term despite Selgado’s lack of prior convictions. He further criticized the crown for not providing adequate protection for Ramirez or exploring virtual testimony options. Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, the Director of Public Prosecutions, defended the crown’s position, asserting that Ramirez’s fear was genuine and corroborated by other witnesses. She emphasized that without Ramirez’s statement, the case against Selgado would have been untenable. Lynn-Vidal also dismissed the feasibility of virtual testimony, stating that Ramirez consistently refused to participate due to credible threats from Selgado. The full story will be covered on News 5 Live at 6 p.m.