Rape, scamming and murder top cases for Hanover Hilary term
HAUGHTON COURT, Hanover – Rape, scamming-related cases and murder have accounted for the majority of the 116 cases that are set for the Hilary term of the Hanover Circuit Court, which got underway on Monday. There were 27 cases of rape (10 of which were committed against minors), 25 cases related to possession of identity information, and 20 murder cases. The bulk of the cases, 99, were brought forward from last term’s circuit court (traversed) while 17 were moved forward from the parish courts (committed).
With half of the 60 prospective jurors served accepting the task, the hope is that progress will be made wading through the caseload thus term. Senior deputy director of public prosecutions, Andrea Martin Swaby commended commanding officer for the parish, Superintendent of Police Sharon Beeput and her team for the work they have done in identifying jurors. It is important, she said, for individuals who request a jury trial to be provided with one.
“The work of the court cannot be done if jurors do not participate because, for the majority of matters on the list, it is still the right of the accused to make that selection. Yes, we can do the matters [by] judge alone but it is his right, my Lord, and no one should be prejudiced because they wish to exercise their right one way or another,” stated Martin Swaby.
She also called on the private bar, and various agencies such as victims’ service, the probation department and court reporters, to work together to make the court system more efficient.
“In respect to my learned friends at the private bar, we must also work together. We are opponents but we need their support to shorten proceedings when they can be shortened. And, we ourselves will take a second on his third glance, if invited to do so, to see where we also can shorten proceedings,” stated Martin Swaby who said she is confident that this Hilary term will be productive.
For his part Supreme Court judge, Justice Courtney Daye said he is looking forward to working with all in ensuring that justice is carried out.
Meanwhile, concerned about the number of murder cases, attorney-at-law Albert Morgan — who spoke on behalf of the defence bar — reminisced about what it was like years ago when he worked in the court’s office in Lucea. At one point, he said, there were no cases committed to the circuit court.
“It was not because of… hard work by the then resident magistrate. It was because… Lucea was a crime-free town and the parish itself was crime-free,” stated Morgan, who described the current status quo as a “shame”.