THE EDITOR, Sir:

I was absolutely appalled to read in your December 5 edition, a paid insertion under the heading 'Regina vs Rodney Beckles - murder'.

The article, which appeared above the signatures of relatives of the deceased, in one sweep of a malevolent paint brush, effected a damning condemnation of the jury system in Jamaica, in general, and the jurors in this specific case, in particular.

This jury, which not only responded to the plea consistently made at the opening sessions of Circuit trials throughout the length and breadth of this nation, for citizens to make themselves available for jury service, but steadfastly endured 11 days of evidence (except for the loss of one of their members, who fell ill) and two hours, and 20 minutes of deliberation, before returning their verdicts.

No acceptable verdict

This jury, in the paid advertisement, was described as not being economically indepen-dent as well as being uneducated and accordingly, their verdicts were "perverse".

I would like to state the simple, but oftimes unappreciated reality, that there never has been nor will be a jury's verdict acceptable to both sides.

One party will ever be dissatisfied, but for that dissatisfied element to impugn the integrity of law-abiding citizens who have given of their time, effort and integrity is scandalous.

For the record, I have taken the trouble to find out the occupations of the 12 jurors empanelled to try the above-mentioned case, which reads as follows: company director, businessman, accountant, self-employed, accountant, unemployed, self-employed, practical nurse, administrative manager, artist and cashier.

I feel compelled to respond to this outrage because future jurors must be assured that the offensive sentiments expressed above are an aberration, and should in no way dampen their resolve to continue to offer their services in this most essential aspect of the justice system, out of fear that their honest assessment of all the evidence will be subject to such defamatory outcries.

I am, etc.,

HOWARD HAMILTON, Q.C.

Kingston