A total of 131 cases are down to be tried, as the St. Ann Circuit Court opened on Monday, May 18, 2015. Of the 131 matters, 25 murder cases are set to be tried, while the list is packed with other violence related matters.
Before the commencement of the initial sitting of the circuit court, there was the traditional parade by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). This was followed by an inspection of the officers led by the presiding high court judge, Carol Lawrence-Beswick, Resident Magistrates Vaughn Facey, Andrea Thomas and Peter Wilson and Custos of St. Ann, Norma Walters.
In welcoming Justice Carol Lawrence-Beswick on behalf of private bar, attorney Linton Gordon pledged that all the defense lawyers were willing to cooperate in order to complete as many cases possible and they, as attorneys would continue to serve the public.
Prosecutor Jeremy Taylor, who represents the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), while commending the police on their job in fighting crime, noted that the St. Ann list was very extensive for the four weeks during which Circuit will be held.. He also emphasized that the time has come for St. Ann to have new court because of the number of matters being heard.
In addressing the court, Justice Lawrence-Beswick urged the jurors to participate in the justice system and to not opt out of a system that relied heavily on them. “Justice results from the process of trial and if there is no trial, then there is no justice,” she advised them.
(See more details of cases in next week’s issue)
