The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands said last week’s dismissal of the jury in North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish’s rape trial was a “pretty embarrassing issue” that raises questions about the vetting process to select the jury.

Mr Pintard declined to comment, saying he “had no idea on the subject”.

Justice Renae McKay dismissed the jury after learning that a juror had a close relationship with Mr Pintard. The Tribune understands the juror is a relative of Mr Pintard and that the woman informed the court clerk about the relation.

Justice McKay set a hearing date for May 8 to determine what will happen next.

Dr Sands said on Friday: “You know, you would have to ask what was the process for jury selection, what were the questions asked and by whom.”

“Certainly, you know, we are a small society and people are related in ways that you wouldn’t know unless you ask and that doesn’t mean that certainly Mr Pintard was aware that somebody was selected for this particular trial.

“So, I say that the independent judicial arm of government needs to look at the process to determine whether or not they could have done things a little differently and better. But certainly, there is no role played by the leader of the opposition, the honourable member for Marco City.

“And so the hope is that moving forward, there is a robust examination of the type of questions that should be asked of all jurors to determine whether they qualify or disqualify for a particular matter.”

The jury consisted of six men and three women. Reporters were not allowed in the court during the jury selection and could not say what questions were asked. Whether the press is allowed to observe that process is left to the judge’s discretion.

Cornish faces two counts of rape, two counts of assault and one count of threats of death.