Fewer cases for Montego Bay Circuit

Judge hopes to clear backlog

Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

JUSTICE GLORIA Smith has commended St James for having a manageable list of cases for the Easter session of the parish's Circuit Court.

Twenty cases were on the official case list when the Montego Bay Circuit Court began Wednesday morning. Of that list, 10 cases were for murder, eight for sexual offences, and two for manslaughter.

In her opening remarks at the start of the Circuit Court, Justice Smith brought into contrast the previous sitting of the court in St Ann and Trelawny, where more than 100 cases had been brought before the courts.

"When I look at the St James list, I am heartened, because it could be worse," she remarked.

Justice Smith also noted that the recent introduction of case management has helped to get cases off the courts' list much faster. She noted that there has been special emphasis on case management in Kingston, but the same emphasis has not been placed on other parishes.

reducing backlog

"I've been here on a number of occasions in both the Circuit Court and the Gun Court. I look forward to trying to accomplish what I've always tried to do," the judge said.

"I am hoping that by the end of the circuit, we will be able to get rid of some of the backlog off this list."

Of the 20 cases on the list, 16 matters had been brought forward from the previous court sitting.

Additionally, 78 persons were served notices to act as jurors, but only 30 were present at Wednesday's sitting.

christopher.thomas@gleanerjm.com