2´000 BALEARIC RESIDENTS COULD BE CALLED FOR JURY SERVICE OVER 2 YEARS

Gomez was speaking after he had teamed up with Electoral Census Director Joan Pons Ordinas at one of the law courts in Palma to arrange for a computer selection of jury members. Numbers to sit in at criminal trials have, however, been cut as in previous years, 3'000 people were randomly chosen for service.

The jury system is used in the Balearics to reach verdicts in cases of serious crime such as murder and arson or government corruption scandals. It is the head of the jury who decides after the hearing on whether the accused should be freed or sentenced and in some instances, what penalties to impose.

For each tour of duty required by the court, 36 candidates are chosen. These will then be shortlisted to 20 and finally 11 will remain to hear the case brought against the accused.

The list which emerged from the selection process run yesterday by Gomez and Pons Ordinas will be published shortly in the Official Bulletin of the Balearic Islands (BOIB).

However, the list of “finalists” won't be known until December as the 2'000 will need to be “pruned” in the event of computer choices being inappropriate or due to the extenuating circumstances of appointees.