WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Supreme Court Judge Justice Courtney Daye, who is currently presiding over the trial of three cops charged in connection with the 2014 beating death of Mario Deane, took the time out to make an early contribution to International Women’s Day on Friday.

Saturday is being observed as International Women’s Day under the theme, “Accelerate Action”.

“I want to recognise all women in here—administrative staff, ancillary staff, and accountants — and I want to say that it is not just people inside of the courtroom…,” stated Justice Daye, who also included court reporters, female prosecutors and defence attorneys.

“I am saying it comes from all of the males in court,” stated Justice Daye, eliciting a chuckle from within the courtroom.

“Without all of you women in court, the wheels of justice would not have run so smoothly,” asserted Justice Daye.

During the court proceedings at the Westmoreland Circuit Court on Friday, Justice Daye took more than a five-minute break on two occasions. Upon Justice Daye’s return from the final break, he made it clear that the breaks had nothing to do with the case but were instead aimed at recognising the United Nations’ treaty declaration of International Women’s Day.

The United Nations first recognised the day in 1975 to highlight the importance of women’s contributions all around the world.

Following Justice Daye’s presentation, one of the three female prosecutors from the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions, while thanking the judge, noted that such comments resulted in a level of contentment from the Crown.

— Anthony Lewis