The JBA, through its president, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, issued a statement Tuesday in response to reports that two jurors who were serving on a murder case in the Clarendon Circuit Court were arrested during a sting operation on November 15 for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice.

In the statement the JBA said "We are heartened by the reports that the lawyers in the case, both for the defence and the prosecution, acted without hesitation when they learnt of the attempt to pervert the course of justice and to bring the jury system into disrepute.

"We applaud the principled response of the relative of the accused who attempts were made to corrupt, the swift action of defence counsel, the cooperation of the prosecution and the diligence of the police," the JBA said.

Active consideration

The JBA said it took the opportunity to note that recommendations for strengthening the jury system were now under active consideration, and called upon the relevant ministry to expedite the process to include expanding the number of persons available for jury service.

The JBA also called for jury selection and the service of summonses for potential jurors to be more transparent. It also called for strengthening mechanisms, including employing technology, to assist in guaranteeing a random and wide selection of jurors to serve in each court.