The mother of a murdered teenager has backed a call from a top British lawyer for enhanced witness protection measures in gun cases.

Jerome Lynch QC spoke out last week, saying it's unnecessary for jury members and the public to know the identity of those who testify in such cases, as long as lawyers are satisfied they are reliable.

That option is already available for trials held in the UK, along with measures such as screens and machines to disguise their voices.

Mr. Lynch, who was on the Island to represent Cervio Cox in a high-profile shooting case, also believes that a specialised combined Police and prosecutions task force would boost public confidence and help address rocketing gun crime.

Nine men have been shot dead in the past year, but so far there have only been charges over two of the killings.

Mr. Lynch commented: "These are the ways we try to build confidence between the public and their natural fear of being targeted by gangs, and the Police, whose job is to gather evidence."

Reacting to his comments, Marsha Jones, the mother of murdered teen Shaundae Jones, said: "I was quite impressed with what he had to say as far as protecting our witnesses. We know from the Police that witnesses aren't talking, so I think that first and foremost, we have to come to some kind of solution as to how to protect them.

"I think what he said held a lot of beef, it was strong to say that you don't give names. We all want to know out of curiosity who said what, but if we expect people to come forward and give evidence, we have got to protect them."

Mrs. Jones has campaigned for justice ever since Shaundae, her only child, was shot dead in 2003. His killing came three months after giving evidence about the stabbing death of Tekle Mallory at Paget Ice Queen in 2001. No one has been convicted of either murder.

A man was extradited to Bermuda from Jamaica in connection with the killing of Mr. Jones, but had firearms charges against him dropped in 2005 after a key witness failed to testify.

Mrs. Jones, from Warwick, believes her son's Ice Queen murder testimony may be linked to his death. He had not wanted to be a witness, she said, but she told him it was his duty.

She believes a witness programme could have protected him, and that if one is implemented — as pledged by Government — it could yet bring his killer to justice.

"I hope for that every day, that someone will have a conscience and come forward and hope solve Shaundae's case," she said.

Asked for her response to Mr. Lynch's comments, Attorney General Kim Wilson said: "There will be sufficient protection measures for witnesses when the Justice Protection bill is passed. It is scheduled to be tabled on June 18."

The bill will allow Police to relocate witnesses during an investigation and trial, and will pave the way for cooperation on that front between Bermuda and other countries.