Strong juror turnout marks reopening of St Catherine Circuit Court

The Michaelmas Session of the St Catherine Circuit Court opened in Spanish Town Tuesday morning with scores of persons answering the call to serve as jurors.

Seventy-six members of the public turned out for jury duty, drawing commendations from Justice Dale Palmer and attorneys.

The occasion saw potential jurors unable to find seats and having to sit outside the court even when Palmer addressed and thanked them for responding overwhelmingly.

The judge said that the police had worked assiduously in serving summonses to those who responded.

"This looks very good to see so many Jamaicans turn up for jury duty. It means that democracy is alive. Normally there are few that cannot be empanelled, so it is very good, as the system can progress smoothly," attorney-at-law Vinette Grant also commented.

Attorney Marie Fertado-Richards added that "We at the private bar are also pleased with the juror numbers and we will be working to assist in the timely delivery of justice."

The new session runs from September 16 to December 19.

There are 402 cases on the roster, 39 of them new.

Among the matters on the court's roster is the 2015 vehicular manslaughter case against Vaughn Wilson.

Allegations are that Wilson was driving a Toyota Coaster bus along Walks Road towards Bog Walk when it slammed into the rear of a parked truck laden with cement, killing Charlene Lambie and Elaine Miller.

The case was postponed until October 3 when the Crown is expected to declare its readiness to proceed to trial.

- Rasbert Turner

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