More lottery scam cases not leading to similar rise in convictions - attorney

 

 

 

Senior defence attorney Linton Gordon says there is a growing number of lottery scamming cases before the court, indicating that the authorities have been making a dent in the illicit activity.  

 

Mr. Gordon, however, contends that while more people are being charged, the rate of conviction does not reflect a similar trend. 

 

He says the gap between laying charges and convictions has created room for people to perpetuate criminal activities.

 

He adds that a different approach may be required to ensure those at the centre of crime receive the full extent of the law. 

 

"There seems to be a constant, attractive approach that these persons are taking, and it might be that we are not succeeding in getting rid of it or in bringing scientific approaches that would cause it to be brought to a control or to elimination. The court has a problem because it is not easy to prove these cases, and invariably, the victims might be required to come and give evidence, depending on the nature of the evidence available against the accused person. Without that, the case is going to fall apart," he asserted.

 

Meanwhile, Mr. Gordon said it was commendable to see that more jurors turned up to perform their civic duty. 

 

He said the impending changes to jurors' stipend has contributed to the take up.  

 

"What was significant is that it is one of the largest collections of jurors we have ever seen in recent time here, and that means the police officers, who are to serve the subpoenas for people to come and do jury service, did an excellent job. And secondly, there might be more and more persons who are prepared to come and give service now that the rate that they are paid can at least pay their fare to get them back home. And that is something the defence all along maintained that it must be addressed," he noted.

 

Some 140 cases are down for trial as the Hilary session of the St Ann Circuit court opened Wednesday, forty one of which are murder cases. 

 

Topping the trial list are cases involving possession of identity information.