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BBCA man who served in the jury of a trial for high profile murder has said more to do to support jurors who exhibit disturbing graphic evidence.
“The judge told us what the charges were, and they were just gasps, horror abject. Never before that level of violence could,” Lee Thompson told BBC News or.
Sitting for two months of evidence, including the images of the camera used by the body of the immediate consequences of the scene in what had killed a small child, he left him fighting with the post -traumatic stress disorder (PTSP).
The Courts and Courts Service of Ireland of the North (NICTS) said the jurors are offered advice after the trials.
They are also signed to additional NHS services, if necessary, he added.
‘I was in a dark place’
Thompson said he and the other jury members were “the common people retired from the street”, adding that he was not prepared for the graphical nature of the evidence to which he would be exposed.
Police officers for the use of the body used for the body to capture images of footage as part of the evidence collection measures and this can be used in judicial judgments.
“I think the sausage for me was to see the psni [officer] Freense, trying to save the child’s life and the reaction of the paramedics, “Thompson said.
Information on how to access free advice services was delivered to jurors following the guilt verdict, but at that time they do not feel that it needed the help.
He told BBC News or that he expected life to be normal, but a few months later, well, having nightmares and flashbacks about the murder scene.
“I found irritable, isolated. Bad, bad mood. I was in a dark place,” he said.
Hey communicated with the advisory service paid by NICTS, but said that the six telephone sessions were not enough.
“I started to fall, and old things came back. Panic attacks, flashbacks,” he added.
“I was in a clothing store with my wife, and I was standing at the door, and then this child took my hand, a two -year -old boy, and that scared me totally.”
Getty imagesIn September 2024, Mr. Thompson was officially diagnosed for having PTSD.
“I never thought of a million years that I would get PTSD because you only think they are the soldiers and that.
“It is a horrible affliction when it takes over you.”
The NHS describes the PTSD as A mental health condition caused by very stressful, terrifying or distressing events.
An NICTS spokesman said the jury service is an essential part of the justice process.
They recognized that they can make people exposed to evidence that it can be “challenging in nature”, and said the current service allows jurors to talk about their experience with the counselors.
The statement added: “The jury members who require additional advice will be presented to the appropriate ones, such as those provided by the NHS.”
BBC News or has discovered that only 14 people have used the service as January 2024.
‘Difficult problem to solve’
Dr. Michael Duffy, cognitive psychotherapist and PTSD expert at Queen’s Belfast University, said Mr. Thompson’s experience is not uncommon.
“There is this concept of indirect trauma where people who do not display directly to trauma but who are indirectly exhibited through image view, etc., develop PSTD.”
Dr. Duffy said that the growing use of evidence of the chamber worn by the body in court could be causing more mental health problems among people exposed to images.
“It is a disseminated problem to solve because obviously the role of a jury is that they must see evidence and that it can have a deep effect to determine innocence or guilt.
“We have to consider the impact it has on jury members, and I think the judicial system must take into account how jurors select.
“For example, a factor related to the jurors that develop PTSD is a previous trauma experience by their own part, so we may need to broadcast certain people in certain cases.”
Dr. Duffy said that jurors also need more support evidence, since they cannot discuss the case with family or friends, which can cause feelings of isolation.
“We have to help them face what is being exhibited,” he said.
Thompson Anyge paid hundreds of pounds for specialized advice for its PTSD.
He said he has helped him, but the trip to obtain that help has tasks of his life, his relationship and his physical and mental health.
He thinks there should be more AV support for jurors like him.
“It should be a continuous process until I feel it does not need it, and I think it should be in person.
“A phone call is fine, but when you really sit with someone who is trained to deal with thesis situations … it’s much better.”
