Trial delayed after jury discharged in NHDT case
(CNS): The trial of the former chair of the National Housing Development Trust has been delayed due to unexpected connections between jury members and witnesses or the defendant. After the crown prosecutor outlined the case against Geoffry William Ebanks on Thursday morning, two jurors raised concerns about their connections to the case and were both discharged, leaving only six, including one alternate, rather than the usual seven members.
While the law permits a trial to go ahead with just six jurors, given the length and complexity of this anti-corruption case, a decision was made to discharge the entire panel in order to secure a seven-person jury.
It is not unusual in this jurisdiction, given the size of the jury pool, for jurors to know the defendants, witnesses, police officers or even the lawyers involved in a case. While most people can put aside fleeting connections in order to deliver an unbiased verdict based on the evidence, the process must not only be fair but also perceived to be fair.
Ebanks was bailed to return on 12 February for jury selection, but no date has been set for when the trial will take place.
CNS note: We’ve allowed comments on this article, but only for discussion on the process of jury selection and other broad issues. No comments will be posted about this particular case.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Rule of thumb in Cayman courts
Caymanian – elect jury trial = not guilty
Ex-pat – go for Judge only (as Caymanian Jury = guilty as hell!)
Absolutely!
This Must be framed and put on a wall in the courthouse. Will save time and money for everyone.
DPP “shines” again!! Isn’t it the objective of determining jurors’ fitness and posing challenges BEFORE a trial starts??
Sad!
Just wondering what the criteria is for jury pool selection, and whether social status or economic standing plays a part. So does it matter whether the candidate is unemployed, or a street sweeper, or a CEO ? Other than the de-selection process by defence and prosecution teams, how can a person selected for the jury pool get excused ? Useful to know all this before criticizing the process or suggesting alternatives.
Work permit holders for jury duty. Nothing more unbiased than this. Actually a work permit holder should be premier considering work permit holders are the majority of the population.
absolutely!
of course…politrix as usual….zzzzz
Did they not ask the potential jurors if they knew the defendant before empaneling the jury SMH
They did and they also gave them a list of witnesses.
Open up the jury selection pool. Restricting the pool to only registered voters is too narrow. Some new citizens do not register to keep from being selected for jury duty. Anyone being granted citizenship should AUTOMATICALLY be placed on the voters list – actually voting is up to them just like every voter.
Persons with PR should also be included in the jury selection pool. It is part of belonging to a society.
100% agree with this.
No one is granted citizenship. No such thing
Lived here 37yrs….never once been called for Jury duty. Who do they choose ?!
“Randomly” from the voters list.
Isn’t this the one where I read the entire jury selected was made up of women? I mean, I’m a woman myself great to see them representing but in truth, where’s the diversity?
Interesting. After only 2 years in Florida county with half mil residents I was called for Jury duty.
Are you registered to vote ? That would explain it.
I’ve been a registered (and active) voter from time I hit 18 (22 years ago) and not once have I been contacted for jury duty.
I am in the US. Never registered to vote. Was called for jury duty 3 times in 12 years.
Those who are likely to uphold a not guilty plea, you know friends, distant family, acquaintances.
I feel Jury Trials in Cayman will in most cases have this type of connection/relation. Either do away with jury trials or get jurors from outside the jurisdiction. Look at previous comments about jury trials and realize that in most cases they are bias or scared of consequences from family members or even the accused. I don’t believe jury trials are fair based on the size of the jurisdiction.
There is a selection process overseen by both prosecution and defence to ensure that there are no connected or biased individuals on the jury team. That the relayed objective and process didn’t work, is clearly a problem with some of those selected “at random” to serve.
The exact situation will arise in Mac’s upcoming case…
True, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t been to either a bar or church meeting with him.
Me. Me. Pick me! …