Juries are used because a panel of ordinary people, chosen at random, is seen as the best way to ensure a fair trial in very important criminal cases, such as First Degree Murder. Of course, if the jury is not made up of people chosen at random the purpose is defeated. Tomorrow's Court of Appeal case will decide the fate of numerous other jury decisions.
From the National Post
Shannon Kari:
The Ontario Court of Appeal will hear arguments on Monday in a case that could lead to several convictions being overturned in the province as a result of secret jury vetting by the Crown and police.
The appeal filed by Ibrahim Yumnu and two other men is the first opportunity for the court to decide on a legal remedy for the improper jury checks that occurred across Ontario for several years, until the practice was exposed last spring by the National Post.
There are at least a dozen other outstanding appeals where jury vetting took place, including the case of a young man convicted of killing a police officer, all awaiting the outcome of the Yumnu case.
James Morton
1100-5255 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
M2N 6P4
416 225 2777
www.jmortonmusings.blogspot.com
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