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Advocates call for mental health help for jurors on anniversary of Stafford verdict Mark Farrant poses for a photo in Toronto, Saturday, February 25, 2017. Farrant, who developed PTSD after serving as a jury member on a murder trial, now advocates for mental health services for jurors. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Galit Rodan May 11, 2021 - 3:22 PM OTTAWA - Advocates fighting for better mental health and financial supports for Canadians who serve on juries say they are concerned about the stalled progress of a bill that would allow jurors to disclose details of the cases they witness to a medical professional. Mark Farrant, founder of the Canadian Juries Commission and a former juror, says he does not understand why Bill S-212 has been left to languish in the Senate. ....
He worries the negative mental health impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on many Canadians could make jury duty even more distressing for those who must listen to difficult cases. We re concerned that Canadians returning to court with increased anxiety, their mental health is going to be even more vulnerable, given their presence in court and having to endure graphic evidence and just the trauma and stress of jury service, Farrant said. He wanted to highlight the issue Tuesday in particular, as it marked the ninth anniversary of the guilty verdict that sent Michael Rafferty to prison for the brutal rape and murder of eight-year-old Tori Stafford in 2009. ....