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High Court Jury’s list quashed due to lack of persons from Sister Islands

- Justice Smith said list was flawed
Justice Ann-Marie Smith bemoaned that only one person on the Jury’s list was from Virgin Gorda and none were from Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, which could prejudice the accused persons on trial. Photo: dominicanewsonline/File
Justice Ann-Marie Smith bemoaned that only one person on the Jury’s list was from Virgin Gorda and none were from Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, which could prejudice the accused persons on trial. Photo: dominicanewsonline/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Several major criminal matters before the High Court were adjourned to next year, following a decision by Justice Ann-Marie Smith to quash the jury’s list.

Justice Smith said her decision was because of certain flaws she found in the list of jurors submitted to the court.

“The court at this stage will squash the array on this merit and in the interest of justice,” she said during the High Court sitting on Monday, October 7, 2019.

Justice Smith said the defects include inadequate persons from the Sister Islands and Outer Islands forming the list.

She bemoaned that only one person on the list was from Virgin Gorda and none were from Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, which could prejudice the accused persons on trial.

“Unfortunately the court finds that the registrar has continued the practice that was used by successive registrars prior, which was highlighted and frowned upon,” she said.

The high court judge, moreover, said: “There is no explanation that has been provided to this court that an effort was made to properly remedy the error and deficiencies that were raised in July of 2019 despite the opportunity that was given to do so.”

The jury list was compiled since December last year, she also indicated.

“The burden of the jury service needs to be distributed evenly and equally between all persons liable to serve,” Justice Smith remarked.

A new list must now be formed to exclude the flaws as mentioned earlier.

9 Responses to “High Court Jury’s list quashed due to lack of persons from Sister Islands”

  • ture (08/10/2019, 08:37) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    and how are people supposed to come from Anegada every day for a court case?
  • Sensealone (08/10/2019, 08:57) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    I wonder if she is going to pay for Anegadians especially to come to Tortola and pay their necessary hotel accommodations to serve as a juror for lengthy trials
  • seeking time (08/10/2019, 08:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply

    Why wait now to get rid f the jury list now court should be starting.

  • sidestepping (08/10/2019, 09:47) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    what is wrong with this Judge? Is she from the BVI or a just come? Why does the Judge want persons from the Sister Islands to be Jurors? Does she realise the cost for a person per day to travel to Tortola especially from Anegada and come to think if they have to stay over and to think of it putting those person lives at risk. Really!! Really!! This place is small and everybody knows everybody and some cases are not that easy. who is her adviser someone needs to school this Judge.
    • ship her out (08/10/2019, 10:16) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      Its time Annemarie to go. Some cases are serious putting we over here in anegada and virgin gorda lives at risk on the sea this judge not thinking. Contract end please end it now
  • x (08/10/2019, 10:03) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    She is right. There are people whose name is on every jury list. I know people who get called every year, twice a year.
  • Yes (08/10/2019, 12:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    E**** picks ALL the East End people dem. The WHOLE of East End!!! She needs to STOP!!!

    • east (08/10/2019, 13:43) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      HMMM! I was never picked and I'm born and bred east for almost 60 years...


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