Government Senator supports retention of jury system

Government Senator Abka Fitz-Henley says he is in full support of the retention of a jury system in Jamaica.

This in response to Chief Justice Brian Sykes who cited backlogs in the courts and called for a reform of the jury system.

Justice Sykes noted that it is impossible to try every single case, which is why plea bargaining should be actively considered.

In making his contribution to the debate on a bill to amend the jury act in the upper house yesterday, Senator Fitz-Henley stressed the importance of jury trials and expressed support for a hybrid system.

Senator Fitz-Henley further pointed to the increase in stipend for persons who serve as jurors.