Lucky proposes foreign jurors

The suggestion was made by Independent UNC Member of Parliament, Gillian Lucky, as she focussed on crime during her contribution in yesterday’s Budget debate in the House of Representatives.

Lucky noted that people were expressing fear about speaking out on crime. However, she said she felt it was imperative that the attitude not be adopted by everyone, saying, "where will it end?"

She said the old adage of shutting up and leaving it in the hands of God has to change, and she called on people to make a difference and start dealing with crime. She said the reason why the crime detection rate was low was because people were not coming forward with information. She said although there was plea bargaining legislation, there was no effective witness protection programme.

She suggested that consideration be given to having foreign jurors, "persons from other territories in the Caribbean," preside in local court matters. She said when the matters are finished, the persons go back to their respective countries.

Lucky recalled that the Prime Minister was recently forced to increase his security detail because of threats, "but what about upgrading the security of law abiding citizens?"

She insisted that more police vehicles and upgrading police stations will not be enough, lamenting, "after three years you expect the public to take you seriously. It can’t continue like this!"

Lucky said the rogue element in the Police Service has to be dealt with quickly and suggested that an independent tribunal, similar to the Internal Affairs in the US, be established in order to "isolate, distance and investigate."

Taking a jab at National Security Minister Martin Joseph, Lucky referred to the minister’s recent comparison of crime in TT and the UK, suggesting that he learn to make comparisons using every strand, rather than "pick and choose."

She reminded him that crime was being solved in the UK.

Lucky said she was told that there have been no murder convictions for the year, and the time had come to decide if we were accepting hangings as part of TT law.

She said a referendum should be held for the people to decide the matter, so that as a country, we could get on with carrying out the law.