Jury secrecy
I have been known to get very worked up about trial by jury (I'm in favour of it...) , and am more than a little irked that the BBC has seen fit to give a platform to a woman who claims to have been on the 'Jill Dando' jury and is unhappy about the verdict.
As far as I am concerned, the secrecy of a jury's deliberations, during and after a trial is a crucial element of its effectiveness as it allows those deliberations to be comparatively free of extra court room pressure. Consequently, I am deeply unhappy about the BBC delving around in this, and if my vague memories of a law degree taken nigh on 20 years ago are correct, both the BBC and Ms Herbert could well have the book thrown at them. I hope it is.
I have been known to get very worked up about trial by jury (I'm in favour of it...) , and am more than a little irked that the BBC has seen fit to give a platform to a woman who claims to have been on the 'Jill Dando' jury and is unhappy about the verdict.
As far as I am concerned, the secrecy of a jury's deliberations, during and after a trial is a crucial element of its effectiveness as it allows those deliberations to be comparatively free of extra court room pressure. Consequently, I am deeply unhappy about the BBC delving around in this, and if my vague memories of a law degree taken nigh on 20 years ago are correct, both the BBC and Ms Herbert could well have the book thrown at them. I hope it is.
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on Tuesday, September 05, 2006 at 11:31 am.
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shame she didnt express her doubts before that patsy got life.
too true peter.
BBC in truth shocker
Can you remember if it was a unanimous or majority verdict? Legal trials have to be based on evidence, not on a jury's whim.
A bit of rooting around has thrown up a 10-1 verdict. Presumably the 12th member of the jury fell ill half way throught the trial or somesuch.
You are right to point out this issue - I thought the BBC was in favour of kids being taught about British values - isn't this one? I am also very much in favour of the jury system, but think we need some reforms in this area (i.e. not make it so easy for people to avoid)
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