Chief Justice: Pointing Fingers Is Very Unhelpful

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder addressed public concerns regarding the current bail act and a backlog of criminal cases, following a recent wave of killings. 

He spoke to reporters as he was leaving Parliament after paying his respects to the family of former Member of Parliament and Senator Philip Galanis.

The chief justice explained why he believes the passage of the Criminal Case Management Act will get cases moving through the judicial system.

The issue of bail is not a new one but the topic was reignited this week at a triple murder scene in Fox Hill.

That’s where Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander revealed that there were 178 young men on bail for murder who were being monitored. 

The top cop has also called for the removal of bail for individuals charged with murder, warning that failure to do so could result in continued killings. 

Here’s what the chief justice  had to say to that.

“We’re always concerned when the young men of our country are tragically taken away,” Sir Ian said. “But I think the prime minister’s statement is more appropriate, in the sense that we all need to work together to find appropriate solutions to this crime problem. You know, at the end of the year, when the crime numbers start to tally, you always, this, uh, this aspect of people on bail starts to come to light. At the end of every year, we hear it but the solution has to be a collaborative one.”