ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

A leading Caribbean jurist says regional judges should use their discretion when imposing the death penalty, as the debate over the resumption of hangings continues in the region.

Acting Chief Justice of the East Caribbean Supreme Court of Appeal, Brian Alleyne, said the death penalty matter has gone through a "radical change" in the last several years.

"About five years ago our court declared that the mandatory death penalty was inhumane and inappropriate," he said, noting that judges now decide "in particular cases of murder if the death penalty will be appropriate or not".