‘Do not visit the blogs!’ – Jurors warned
High Court Justice Vicki Ann Ellis, in stressing the responsibility that jurors hold during court proceedings, handed down a $200 fine to Tiara Turnbull as no appearance had been made or excuse submitted for her absence.
Justice Ellis has handed down several fines in past assizes for the unexplained absence of jurors scheduled to take part in the assizes over the course of the last year.
Meanwhile, the other jurors who were assembled at the High Court to participate in the May assizes were reminded of the critical role they were expected to play in the current assizes, with Justice Ellis referring to them as 'pillars of justice' in the Virgin Islands.
“While as a judge in the case, I am to determine areas of law,” Justice Ellis said, “it is you who will determine the facts of the case. Ultimately you will determine the [guilt or innocence]. So in a very important way, you play the role of the court yourselves.”
Jurors were also sternly warned to avoid reading any media accounts of any of the cases they are deliberating before the court.
“You are not investigators. You are not permitted to seek out information yourselves and you are not required and you should avoid as much as possible reading any media account of the case that you are deliberating,” Justice Ellis said.
“Do not visit the newspapers, do not visit the blogs, do not go on the internet,” she added.
Sex offences dominate again
Sex offences have once again dominated the list of the criminal assizes. Crown Counsel Leslie Ann Faulkner, in giving an overview of the cases before the May assizes, explained that five such cases were to be heard before the court including incest, indecent assault, rape and unlawful sex.
Additionally, several cases of offences against persons and/or property are to be brought before the court. These include burglary, aggravated burglary, robbery, grievous bodily harm and attempted murder.
The first matter to be heard before the High Court is expected to begin on May 19, 2014.
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9 Responses to “‘Do not visit the blogs!’ – Jurors warned ”
Now madam judge to read this you have to be going through the blogs.