UPDATE: 'Sometimes it’s good to make a little complaint'– Justice Ellis
Earlier in the trial, the jurors had complained to Justice Ellis about their discomfort especially in the room in which they were made to work. They had passed their complaint in writing to Justice Ellis at a stage when they were given the opportunity to pose questions to a witness who was on the stand at the time.
The Judge did not read the complaint aloud in open court but had openly condemned the state of the court and was supported by Senior Crown Counsel Mr Valston Graham.
It was announced on Monday October 28, 2013 that the jurors’ room was outfitted with air-conditioning and the High Court management came in for commendation from Justice Ellis.
Jurors now sitting over the trial of Mr Ian Thomas aka DJ Commodore are enjoying the comfort, however, it is reported that much more is left to be done to improve the overall conditions of the High Court facilities.
See previous article posted October 18, 2013
Justice Ellis laments High Court conditions
-Jurors complain of discomfort
The seating and other accommodations for jurors in the High Court of the Virgin Islands came in for condemnation as jurors complained bitterly to Judge Vicki Ann Ellis during a trial yesterday October 17, 2013.
While the complaint was not read aloud in the High Court yesterday, Justice Ellis acknowledged their concerns about the conditions they are being forced to endure even though they are performing a voluntary duty. “This is not a court house,” Ms Ellis said as she expressed her disgust at the conditions brought to bear by the jurors.
Issues raised by the jurors reportedly including that of poor air conditioning and seating, among others.
The jurors ceased the opportunity to communicate their concerns with Justice Ellis at a stage when they were given the opportunity to ask questions following the reading of a witness’ statement in the High Court yesterday.
Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham agreed with High Court Judge Ellis that conditions under which jurors are forced to carry out their duties are a far cry from an ideal situation. He said it was not the first time that jurors had complained.
Some recommendations were made by Graham that are likely to be explored to bring some interim relief to jurors.
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14 Responses to “UPDATE: 'Sometimes it’s good to make a little complaint'– Justice Ellis”
The current court house should be a historic site and not a place where people are being forced to carry out duties under a cramp conditions as though they are in a cattle truck. For Pete's sake this is the 21st century. We should have already had a better court house or judicial complex.
If we were sooooooo wealthy, we will have a courthouse like Singapore but we are far from there.