– ‘An almost impossible task for two judges to handle’
THE Jail Delivery of the Georgetown Prison, showing 211 prisoners awaiting trial at the January Criminal Sessions beginning on January 10, indicated that two judges are inadequate to effectively handle the long list of prisoners, prosecutors told the court yesterday. So, the prosecutors, Attorneys-at-Law Renita Singh and Konyo Sandiford, now appearing before Justice Dawn Gregory, told about steps already taken by the prosecution to hear the oldest cases first, in order to alleviate the situation.
But they have suggested that since the long list is being increased daily, this strategy by the prosecution would not be adequate to deal with the volume of cases; and therefore, the authorities would have to assign more than two judges to preside at the session, if they are to make a meaningful contribution in the matter.
It will be remembered that, some months ago, when the writer approached Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S.C. about a similar situation, where it was evident that there was need for the appointment of more judges for the session, the Chief Justice agreed but enquired: “Where am I going to get them from, make them with clay?”
Supt. of Prison, Officer-in-Charge of the Georgetown Prison, Linden Cornett, who delivered the Jail Delivery yesterday, told that 18 prisoners are asking for early trials.
And according to him, 72 prisoners who believed that their trials have been unjustifiably delayed staged a protest on Tuesday by refusing meals.
The superintendent also made reference to a case referred to the court towards the end of the October Session in December last year by defence attorney, Mr. Hukumchand, who was enquiring about his client, Peter Ray Kassim, who was one of the oldest cases unheard.
The judge disclosed that in that particular case there were 15 witnesses to be called; therefore the matter could not be entertained, since it could not be completed in time for the close of that session.
A breakdown of the list of 211 cases to be heard at the January Session is as follows: Murder – 165, attempted murder – 05, carnal knowledge – 25, incest – 2, armed robbery – 01, buggery – 3, aiding and abetting murder suspects – 01, aiding and abetting to commit murder – 01, wounding with intent– 01, abduction – 7, making a total of 211.
Nineteen (19) of the prisoners have also requested early trials.
The two judges who are assigned to preside at the January Criminal Session, beginning on January 10, are Justices Dawn Gregory and Brassington Reynolds.