Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

A shortage of jurors has caused the postponement of a number of cases before the St Catherine Coroner's Court.

When the sitting started yesterday, the presiding coroner expressed concerns.

"This is a real problem. We need to have a jury for the cases to be tried. We are very sorry for the inconvenience," Resident Magistrate Natalee Brooks said.

During the sitting, the cases were called up only to be postponed.

Get closure

Many witnesses and relatives said that they were saddened by the constant postponements.

"Is seven years now my child was killed by a vehicle and all now nothing. Is time we get closure," Derrick Benjamin said.

In some instances, it was also revealed that some persons have even migrated.

The consensus was that the long delay is a major cause of frustration.

Coroner's courts are convened to try cases where persons are killed and those responsible are not criminally charged.

"It is a very important part of the justice system which has resulted in persons been made to stand trial for various offences, including murder," attorney-at-law Earl Hamilton said.