Hang killers on prime-time TV
published: Friday | March 17, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I SUPPORT the philosophy that 'Actions speak louder than words' and therefore, in this regard, the Government needs to try everything under the law to rein in the murder rate. The Jamaican Constitution has not been amended to discount hanging and judges are still sentencing murderers to hang. I am imploring the Government to resume hanging immediately and if, after a year, we still have a high murder rate, then at least we would know that hanging is not the solution to the problem.

What I would suggest is that we hang those who we are sure of. There are those persons who kill people in broad daylight and in full view of witnesses. They are identified by these witnesses and tried and convicted and sentenced to hang. What would be the reason for not hanging such persons? I dare say such persons should be hung immediately.

I think the relevant authorities should segment the cases on death row into 'Sure' and 'Unsure' and hang the 'Sure' while they review the cases of the 'Unsure.' I am also recommending public hanging. It is time to challenge the murderers. Hang them on prime-time TV and if the high murder rate proliferates after all that, then God help us!

I am, etc.,

GEORGE YOUNG

cachiddo@yahoo.com