Please permit me space in your column to applaud the efforts of representatives of the Crown, attorney-at-law Kathy Pyke and John Thyme, assistant director of public prosecutions, who tendered the statement of a deceased witness and was successful in getting a murderer convicted applying Section 31(D) of the Evidence Act, which makes provision for the statements of a deceased witness to be admitted as evidence.

Catalyst for change

This might be the catalyst that could catapult the justice system into effectiveness and put a substantial dent into the crime rate of our beautiful country. For too long, many cold-blooded murderers have been allowed to walk free because of a lack of evidence to put them away. Many witnesses have been afraid to give evidence for fear of losing their lives.

I believe this is a step in the right direction which Dwight Nelson, the minister of national security, and all others concerned with ridding our country of criminals and heinous crimes should throw their full weight behind.

I am, etc.,

M.S.H.

Spanish Town P.O

St Catherine