SCOTTISH Conservative leader Douglas Ross, among others, wants to abolish the “not proven” verdict. In my opinion there should be two verdicts: case proven and case not proven. The reason being is that it is the duty of the Procurator Fiscal’s office to present cases for the prosecution. If they cannot prove the case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt, then the verdict for the case should be not proven.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland's not proven verdict to face review
If the procurator fiscal demonstrates sufficient prove to the jury, then the verdict should be case proven. I feel that some juries consider the not proven verdict to be a compromise (cop out) between the guilty and not guilty verdict.
The two verdicts, proven and not proven, would reduce the confusion of three verdicts while still retaining Scotland’s unique jury verdict. Scotland has always had its own legal system – there’s no need for falling in line with other countries.
Ian MacTaggart
Ayr
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