LAWYERS CALL FOR RESUMPTION OF DEATH PENALTY

“Hang them by their necks with a rope until they are dead.”

Veteran attorney Carlyle Dougan, QC, certainly didn’t mince his words as he spoke at the special sitting of the High Court held on Wednesday, July 30, in honour of slain attorney Bertram Stapleton.{{more}}

Dougan was expressing views that were echoed by fellow Queen’s Counsel Parnel Campbell and Andrew Cummings, who both called for the urgent resumption of the death penalty in the interest of the proper execution of justice.

When he addressed the special sitting that was presided over by Justice Frederick Bruce Lyle , Campbell said that too many people are suffering injustices as cases get set aside and dismissed on flimsy grounds, including that of the mental disability of the defendants.

Campbell lamented that the death penalty has been “put to sleep” in the Caribbean, while a vast majority of people believe in the death penalty.

“I call in the profession for a debate on criminal procedure, lest we come in here to do one thing and the members of the public out there regard us as people not in touch with the sentiments of ordinary people, regard us as a people not only dressed in unreal clothing but thinking unreal thoughts,” Campbell said.

Campbell said that changes have to be made, and an examination of the tools and techniques being used to tackle the threat of escalating instances of violent crimes.

He suggested that criminals are now calculating what they are doing and are betting on their chances in courts, believing that even if found guilty there would be no hanging.

Newest Queen’s Counsel, Andrew Cummings told the court that while criminals have rights, the system must be reexamined to ensure that the requisite punishment is meted out to the perpetrator of crimes.

Stapleton was gunned down at around 9am on July 23, as he made his way to his third floor office at the Hinds building. He was shot in his head and shoulder by a gunman who police believe was waiting on the second floor of the building for him.(KJ)