By Jane B. Mansaray.
Woman High Court Judge, Justice Amy Wright has admonished and pleaded with a jury panel that are before her to start off on a good footing in this new year of 2023.
The Judge made the plea yesterday, while sitting on criminal matters in one of the court rooms at the main High Court of Law Court Building, Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
“It is your civic duty to serve as Judges of fact in the dispensation of justiceโฆdon`t treat the Court with levity and expect to go free; all you have to do is to present yourself for sitting at every adjourned date” Justice Amy Wright told a panel of jury members.
She went on that this time round, it is not all excuses that she would accept, but genuine excuses that are communicated to the Judiciary`s Master and Registrar and the Foreman of a jury panel.
At yesterday’s sitting, Justice Amy Wright remanded a female juror, Stella Williams for absenting herself at the last adjourned date.
According to Madam Stella Williams, she was absent due to a distress call from her daughter`s convulsion attack at the International School.
Madam Stella Williams` explanation was rejected by the Judge, on grounds of failing to communicate with the Master and Registrar and the Foreman.
Stella Williams is a juror in the murder trial of Mohamed Sidique, an accused person who is on remand at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre.
No progress was made in all the cases slated for hearing yesterday before the trial Judge, Justice Amy Wright due to incomplete Jurors and the absence of the prosecution witnesses.
The cases that came up yesterday did not proceed and they were adjourned to the 31st January 2023 for hearing.
Lawyer Vivian Esther Kabia from the Law Officers Department is representing the State.
