Long list of cases to be tried in St Ann Circuit Court

A call is being made by a high court judge for the prosecution to dismiss cases that have no likelihood of progressing based on the evidence presented to prosecute.

High Court Judge, Justice Lloyd Hibbert made the call at the opening of the Easter session of the St Ann Circuit Court on Monday, May 16.

Justice Hibbert, who revealed that this would be his last sojourn the garden parish as a judge, explained that the defence attorneys should utilize the new legislation that allows for discounts in sentencing of accused persons once a guilty plea is entered into prior to trial.

Along with the cooperation from police officers and the jurors, Hibbert said that this could lead to the case list being reduced.

Hibbert is expected to retire from judicial duties later this year.

In the meantime, 110 cases are set to be tried in the Easter session of the St Ann Circuit Court.

Of the 110 cases set to be tried, 54 gun matters, while 56 matters are circuit court cases. These include murder, rape, wounding with intent among others. 

The circuit is expected to run for four weeks.

The prosecution will be led by deputy director of public prosecutions Sharon Milwood-Moore and crown counsel Larona Montague-Williams.