THE EDITOR, Sir:

With regard to The Gleaner's editorial titled 'Learning from Trinidad' (September 24, 2012), following Trinidad's example in legal reforms is okay, but the time factor in Trinidad's law to dispense justice is still too long. Ten years is too long for an innocent person to wait for justice. It is also too long to dispense justice to those who commit serious crimes.

I would suggest a look at the grand jury system in the United States, which is a more just, efficient and quick way to deal with the court backlog problem experienced in Caribbean jurisdictions. Some aspects of that system could be adopted.

A person charged with murder or some other felony will have to be indicted and committed to trial within six months (180 days) or the case is dismissed. A judge or legal panel making that decision based on the evidence could speedily reduce the time an accused is held in custody awaiting the outcome of a case.

JOHN A. MOORE

Brooklyn, New York