WESTERN BUREAU:

The Easter session of the St James Circuit Court, which opened in Montego Bay yesterday, will be extended by two weeks to adequately dispose of the large number of cases set for trial.

More than 36 accused persons involved in the 44 listed cases will face the court during the six weeks being presided over by Justice Lennox Campbell.

Murders top the list with 19 such matters, representing 41 per cent of the list. There are three cases of death by dangerous driving, and 17 sexual offences. The list is completed by one indecent assault on a male, one abduction, one robbery with aggravation, one aiding and abetting carnal abuse, two cases of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm with intent and two cases of wounding with intent.

Campbell described the list as "a formidable one", and pleaded with culpable persons to plead guilty. This, he said, would be considered when handing down his ruling, as this would result in a "discount" on the sentence given.

"When you plead guilty this may be interpreted as you being sorry for what you've done and it saves the court's time," he said.

However, not all of the 44 cases on the list are new as 27 cases, including a retrial, were brought forward from the last sitting of the Circuit Court.

Like many other judges who have presided over the St James Circuit Court, Campbell addressed the issue of low jury turnout, stating that many people do not see jury as part of their civic duty.

Clogs the system

"The work of the court and the system of justice in the country cannot function at this level without jurors and witnesses," the judge stated.

"One problem we have from Negril to Morant Point is the lack of persons in this capacity; those who have seen and know and who had planned to give reports no longer want to do so, and this blocks and clogs the system."

'When you plead guilty this may be interpreted as you being sorry for what you've done and it saves the court's time.'