Jury Selected in Extortion Trial of Former Officer Jairo Amador

In the High Court today, the trial began for Jairo Amador, an interdicted police officer accused of extortion in connection with an incident involving a Canadian tourist in 2022. The trial, held before Justice Derick Sylvester, is notable as a rare trial-by-jury case in the High Court. Jury selection took place this morning, where a panel of nine jurors—seven women and two men—was chosen in just over half an hour. The jury includes a female foreperson to lead the group. The case dates back to October 2022, when Amador, then a 35-year-old active police officer, allegedly extorted $100 US from a Canadian tourist at a police checkpoint in Hattieville. The accused is represented by attorney Norman Rodriguez, while Crown Counsel Shenell Fernandez leads the prosecution. Justice Sylvester addressed the jurors, explaining that the Crown and defense had the right to challenge jurors, a process in which two jurors were indeed challenged and replaced to ensure an impartial jury. This afternoon, proceedings resumed briefly but were later adjourned. The trial is set to continue next Monday in the High Court, where evidence will be presented to determine whether Amador is guilty of extortion.