The Editor, Sir:

In view of the frequent killings of material witnesses, particularly in murder cases, the Ministry of Security and Justice needs to take a critical look at the witness protection programme.

Too often we hear that witnesses are either shot dead or cannot be located with the result that in many instances the accused are freed, because of absent witnesses.

The time has come for the Evidence Act to be amended, so that in all cases of murder, a statement taken from eyewitnesses should be in the form of a deposition where the accused person and legal counsel may be present at all times.

Speed up trials

This process will also help to speed up the trial of cases because of the length of time these cases are pending in the courts; a lot of these witnesses do not want to be on the protective programme. The lengthy process also allows these witnesses to be intimidated or even killed by the accused or their agents.

These murders are seldom solved by the police, with the likely possibility of an acquittal for the accused, thus allowing them to continue to commit crimes. This is not right, people who commit or contemplate crime must fear the law which should be a deterrent. The time to act is now.

I am, etc.,

A. A. McCREATH

26 1/2A Perth Road

Mandeville