By Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter
Wolfe
A LETTER yesterday from jurors voicing their disgust at the exorbitant parking fees they have to pay has compelled Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe to take immediate action to remedy the situation.
The 12-member jury trying the six policemen charged with murder in the Braeton Seven case had sent the letter yesterday morning to Mr. Justice Donald McIntosh who is presiding over the trial. The trial entered its third week yesterday.
The judge sent the letter to the chief justice who, shortly after, met with the jurors.
FREE PARKING
They have been advised that effective today they will be allowed to park free of cost at the Urban Development Corporation car park behind the Supreme Court. The jurors were told that the daily receipts they receive from the car park would be stamped by the Supreme Court. When they return to the car park all they have to do is to hand the stamped receipts to the car park attendant.
Since the fees were increased on January 2 this year from $80 to $200, the jurors have been complaining that it was unfair for them to be paying so much money out of their pockets.
SUPPORT FROM LAWYERS
When the letter was brought to the judge's attention in court, prosecutors and defence lawyers expressed sympathy with the jurors, saying they were hoping the authorities would do something to alleviate the situation.
Jurors are paid an allowance of $500 daily for jury duty. The jurors have complained that it takes between three months to a year to get payment from the ministry. Some jurors say they did not bother to make any claim because of the long delay in getting paid.
Jurors are usually summoned to serve for three weeks, but the time could be extended because some trials last for more than three weeks.
