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‘Protect us against hardened criminals’ - Jurors

February 19th, 2015 | Tags: High Court jurors harden criminals security
The upper flat of the High Court building is the section that is of great concern to jurors. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – It is a sight to see the crammed situation that exists in the halls of the High Court room especially when jurors are called for possible selection and at their most recent appearance some expressed their concerns with this news site.

"This is not a very nice or safe situation for jurors, not for the court staff and the Judge here, it’s not," one juror told this news site on February 17, 2015. 

The juror said, "If anything should happen it's going to be chaos up in here. Especially if they have a hardened criminal in that box that decides to go berserk." 

The many chairs crammed in the room allowed almost no space for persons to maneuver and especially of concern are the seats that are directly behind the defendants’ holding box. "They goat mouth hard but heaven forbade, goat mouth, let me not say it but they need to secure this court room better," said the juror. 

It is the recommendation of jurors that the authorities enclose the trial box and if possible that if the jurors' platform. "This is not safe in here. If they did the Magistrate's Court that's nice but the High Court should have been first, as we are not comfortable in here at all. Sometimes you come up here and have to sit for very long times, can't move even your feet properly and you stand a chance of being penalized if you choose not to come," said the juror.

Recently the Magistrate's Court was improved to provide better security and comfort for all entering the facility.

 

11 Responses to “‘Protect us against hardened criminals’ - Jurors”

  • fish (19/02/2015, 08:43) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Jurors should stage a boycott yall
  • Itstime (19/02/2015, 08:58) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where did we go wrong in trying to prepare for growth? In a day and age where this country grossed so much money over the past 20 years, isn't it obvious that there is the need for a proper courthouse and a House of Assembly Building? Although the building would hold its historical presence, it is time, high time that the Government embark on a campaign to build the long-promised Law Block from HL Stoutt's time and a new location for the House of Assembly. Prepare to build those buildings now. We have outgrown this building. A new modern courtroom will eliminate the problem many jurors now encounter and are uncomfortable about.
    • At last (19/02/2015, 10:02) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Itstime
      Why should the new courthouse be named after HL Stoutt as opposed to a stalwart of the legal profession like McWelling Todman (whose contributions to the legal framework of this Territory does not get just acknowledgement) or even JS Archibald?
      • To At Last (20/02/2015, 12:39) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Some of you really lack comprehension, or just so eager to post crap you don't take time to read. In which post did "Itstime" mention naming a new court house after HL Stoutt? Read the post again, very slowly this time. If you still don't understand, ask someone for help.
  • bvi girl (19/02/2015, 09:03) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Totally agree!
  • sirqester (19/02/2015, 10:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets talk about justice ! I also think the jury should be sequestered. Justice to both sides should be considered . Secure the courtroom and start to sequester the jury .Security and justice is equally important. Fair is fair.
  • virgin gorda (19/02/2015, 10:09) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Ndp poor management of the country again
    • Vi girl (19/02/2015, 14:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is not an NDP problem. It is a problem where our society do not prioritize and grow with time. VIP was in for many years. THe courtroom been that way. All now the ceiling got mold spots.
  • &&& (19/02/2015, 12:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whsts new here
  • weed (19/02/2015, 12:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some of that money Myron say he saved from consultancy needs to go to fix the courts house.

    But then again I was just told it gone to a wall around the high School.
  • shelia (19/02/2015, 23:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why doesnt the NDP run on their record..


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