Lack of toiletries not to blame

In a statement yesterday, senior communications officer Shelly Dolabaille said, “The Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to correct the misinformation regarding the sitting of the Supreme Court in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando and the Judiciary’s expenditure for the activities related to the opening of the 2016/2017 Law Term.” Dolabaille went on to explain that on Monday, sitting of the criminal courts commenced and for those courts where a jury was empanelled and asked to return, it was because other matters were engaging the attention of the court or that attorneys were engaged in legal arguments which cannot be done in the presence of the jury.

“Our criminal courts continue to sit and function and it was therefore erroneous to report that adjournments of sittings were due to the unavailability of refreshments or toiletries,” she added.

Dolabaille did not confirm whether these items were indeed purchased and available for when jurors return to court.

On Wednesday, staff at the Judiciary said they were told there was no money to purchase basic items for jurors selected on panels for trials.