Jury ‘key part of free society’

Barbadians are some of the most fortunate people and have much to be thankful for, declared Justice Carlisle Greaves.

“There is nobody invading our country, overthrowing our Government; nobody is taking our resources, our oil; they are not taking up our land and no bombs are raining down on our children,” he added.

He also commended the jury system for playing its part in keeping Barbados a free and prosperous nation.

The judge was speaking as he welcomed jurors to the January sitting of the Continuous Sessions in the No. 3 Supreme Court yesterday.

“We have a lot to be grateful for and we have every reason to protect it, and when we do not, there are a minor number of people who throw us upside down. You play that role to keep us a free nation, a prosperous nation.

“We have some gunmen who shoot up the place. It could be worse or it could be better. What say you?” he asked.

Justice Greaves noted that the jury system was instrumental in shaping the society.

“The jury system helps to inform us about what kind of society we have and what kind of society we want,” he said, as he called jury service “a sacrifice you have to pay to keep society free”.

However, he warned that everyone had an agenda and jurors should be impartial and listen only to the evidence given in court.

“The mother whose son is in the dock has a purpose to serve. The person whose daughter is complaining someone did her something, wants that person locked up. Depending on which side they are on, they see justice as what serves them,” the judge said.

He told the new jurors they should not be influenced by “external forces”.

Justice Greaves said they would take many lessons from their service. 

“From it, you are going to return to society and find yourself counselling your children, your families.”

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