Barbara Gayle, Staff ReporterSUPREME COURT Judge Roy Jones yesterday made an impassioned plea for the authorities to find answers to the issues of crime and violence which are plaguing the country.
The judge made the plea shortly after he declared open the Hilary Session of the Home Circuit Court which was marked by a colourful ceremony in Justice Square in front of the courthouse, downtown Kingston.
There are 160 cases listed for trial during this term, of which six are capital murder cases, 64 are non capital murder cases, 44 cases of sexual offences, five motor vehicle manslaughter cases, three kidnapping cases, one case of demanding money with menaces and one case of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
SPECTATORS ENTERTAINED
The Supreme Court Chorale, backed by the Jamaica Regiment Band, rendered several songs at the opening, much to the delight of the many spectators who attended the ceremony. Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe told the gathering that in the future the chorale, which was formed recently, will perform at the opening sessions.
After the ceremony ended, it was back to business as usual. The judge was joined on the Bench by Custos of St. Andrew, the Reverend Carmen Stewart and Justice of the Peace Alexander Binns.
Mr. Justice Jones emphasised that if something was not done to curb the crime and violence in the country then the situation would lead to a state of anarchy. He referred to the high incidence of murder and sexual offence cases and stressed that the rampant criminality threatened the very fabric of the Jamaican society.
"We need to see that our citizens are free from restraint by crime and violence in our country," the judge said.
He also called on citizens to assist in whatever way they could in solving the problem.
