By Dennis Dames:
Let’s face it. When one is sentenced to death in The Bahamas, these days it really means life in prison. The condemned prisoner knows that all he has to do is appeal and wait on the commutation call, or total freedom in some cases.
The death penalty in the Americas has been corrupted for centuries and used as a brutal tool of racism; especially against the black man and other minority groups. After the advent of DNA, the death penalty was found guilty of the murder or false imprisonment of countless innocent victims – and new ones are added almost daily – after further review.
Only heaven knows the millions of convicted and innocent death penalty victims throughout the ages – whose names will never be vindicated, as there is no available DNA evidence to clear them accordingly.
The death penalty will always be corrupt because innocent people are also victims of it. The death penalty is simply a legal bully in The Bahamas because it is truly shameful and scandalous to have such a deadly thing hanging over one’s head. Maybe that’s why hanging is still on our law books.
In the meantime, the death penalty in The Bahamas is enjoying the publicity, knowing full well that it will die on the unemployment line.
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label death penalty Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death penalty Bahamas. Show all posts
Friday, January 25, 2019
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The Bahamas needs to determine its position on the death penalty ...says Bahamas Bar Council President, Ruth Bowe-Darville
'Time To Decide On Death Penalty'
By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS
Bar Council President, Ruth Bowe-Darville, is calling on the Bahamas to
take a firm legislative position on the death penalty.
Her remarks came during a
meeting of the Bahamas Constitutional Commission yesterday where she
represented the Council’s position on several areas of constitutional
reform.
“The
country needs to determine its position on the death penalty,” Mrs.
Bowe-Darville said, “We are being urged on by several international
agencies that firmly pronounce against the death penalty and then there
is the legal precedent of Pratt and Morgan vs The Attorney General of
Jamaica that has reduced many sentences to life imprisonment due to the
inordinate and excessive delay in carrying out a lawful sentence.”
She
also warned against the haste of implementing the Caribbean Court of
Justice to replace the Privy Council as the most influential body to
advise the head of state of the nation.
“Regrettably,
there is no firm resolve by Bar members for replacing the Judicial
Committee of the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice.
However, whether we sign on to the CCJ or retain the Privy Council, the
decisions of our final court must be observed by the Executive as well
as the judicial and legislative branches of our country, so that respect
for the Rule of Law is entrenched in our culture. Perhaps, now is not
the time for the CCJ,” she said.
Mrs.
Bowe-Darville also called for the establishment of several new
appointments with the Judicial system, including an Office of an
Independent Director of Public Prosecutions, an Office of Public
Defender, and the establishment of an Ombudsman.
“In
re-assessing the needs of our country and being forever cognizant of
the prevailing social and economic ills in our society, the introduction
of an Office of an Independent Director of Public Prosecutions as an
entrenched provision of our Constitution is welcomed. Such an office
should in principle alleviate the burden on the Office of the Attorney
General in the area of criminal prosecution. However, such an office
must be given the autonomy to perform the task, sans political
interference,” she said.
“Further
the proposition should also extend to the establishment of an Office of
Public Defender. Such a department could ultimately be a boost to the
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, it will complement it. It
is proposed there be a recommendation for the establishment of an
Ombudsman. This office, like that of the independent Director of Public
Prosecutor, will require the appointment of a person with a significant
degree of independence who is charged with representing the interests of
the public by investigating and addressing the complaints of
maladministration or violation of rights. The Ombudsman generally seeks
to promote and protect human rights,” she said.
February 26, 2013
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Privy Council and the death penalty in The Bahamas... Tommy Turnquest on the issue of capital punishment
Turnquest defends the role of the Privy Council
By LAMECH JOHNSON
tribune242
THE London-based Privy Council has been portrayed as an obstacle to the Bahamas carrying out the death penalty, but this is not the case, according to a senior cabinet minister.
Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest told The Tribune the Council's past rulings on the issue of capital punishment in the Bahamas, which was last carried out in 2001 under the first FNM administration, were more about the process than the policy.
He said: "While members on the judicial committee of the Privy Council may have views against the death penalty, their judgments have essentially been more about process than about the penalty itself. And that process itself has had a number of landmark rulings."
Mr Turnquest said these include the stipulation that cases be tried within a reasonable period of time, defined as five years, and the stipulation that the conviction and sentencing of a person cannot be carried out at the same time.
"That process is there for a reason and today it might be someone else, but tomorrow it might be your family member. So we just want to ensure that the process is followed," he said.
Mr Turnquest acknowledged that the government tracks cases closely after they leave the Court of Appeal, but defended the role of the Privy Council as the top court of the Bahamas, saying the arrangement is beneficial for the country.
"The Bahamas has decided for very good reasons not to do away with the Privy Council. The whole idea of having the Privy Council has served us well particularly in terms of our banking and financial industries and in terms of our commercial law," the minister said.
With the murder count near 60 in less than six months and several accused killers out on bail, the government has been called on to follow through with the death penalty, which is on the law books.
Mr Turnquest said he is a strong advocate for capital punishment, but he is also an "advocate for the rule the law."
"I, myself, am a proponent for capital punishment but there is a process we have to go through," he said.
That process includes the Privy Council, which is the ultimate court of appeal - above the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Industrial Tribunal and Magistrate's Courts, he said.
Mr Turnquest also defended the government's performance on crime and efforts to upgrade the judicial system.
He said: "The government continues to work with the judiciary on improving the criminal justice system. The government has taken some steps in that regard from an infrastructural point of view, in terms of ensuring that there are sufficient courts but also in terms of human resources and ensuring that we have the manpower and other resources to get it done."
These efforts, he said, have helped cut the backlog of cases yet to be heard.
June 15, 2011
tribune242
By LAMECH JOHNSON
tribune242
THE London-based Privy Council has been portrayed as an obstacle to the Bahamas carrying out the death penalty, but this is not the case, according to a senior cabinet minister.
Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest told The Tribune the Council's past rulings on the issue of capital punishment in the Bahamas, which was last carried out in 2001 under the first FNM administration, were more about the process than the policy.
He said: "While members on the judicial committee of the Privy Council may have views against the death penalty, their judgments have essentially been more about process than about the penalty itself. And that process itself has had a number of landmark rulings."
Mr Turnquest said these include the stipulation that cases be tried within a reasonable period of time, defined as five years, and the stipulation that the conviction and sentencing of a person cannot be carried out at the same time.
"That process is there for a reason and today it might be someone else, but tomorrow it might be your family member. So we just want to ensure that the process is followed," he said.
Mr Turnquest acknowledged that the government tracks cases closely after they leave the Court of Appeal, but defended the role of the Privy Council as the top court of the Bahamas, saying the arrangement is beneficial for the country.
"The Bahamas has decided for very good reasons not to do away with the Privy Council. The whole idea of having the Privy Council has served us well particularly in terms of our banking and financial industries and in terms of our commercial law," the minister said.
With the murder count near 60 in less than six months and several accused killers out on bail, the government has been called on to follow through with the death penalty, which is on the law books.
Mr Turnquest said he is a strong advocate for capital punishment, but he is also an "advocate for the rule the law."
"I, myself, am a proponent for capital punishment but there is a process we have to go through," he said.
That process includes the Privy Council, which is the ultimate court of appeal - above the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Industrial Tribunal and Magistrate's Courts, he said.
Mr Turnquest also defended the government's performance on crime and efforts to upgrade the judicial system.
He said: "The government continues to work with the judiciary on improving the criminal justice system. The government has taken some steps in that regard from an infrastructural point of view, in terms of ensuring that there are sufficient courts but also in terms of human resources and ensuring that we have the manpower and other resources to get it done."
These efforts, he said, have helped cut the backlog of cases yet to be heard.
June 15, 2011
tribune242
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Leslie Miller - former cabinet minister and crime victim backs call for capital punishment to resume in The Bahamas in the face of a "severe crisis"
Former MP Strongly Backs Capital Punishment
By Macushla N. Pinder:
A former cabinet minister and victim of crime is strongly backing the call for capital punishment to resume in The Bahamas in the face of a "severe crisis" in the country.
According to businessman and former Blue Hills MP, Leslie Miller, Bahamians are being terrorised in their own country and something has to be done about it.
"The police do a fabulous job, so the problem isn’t the police, it’s the court system and those persons who are unafraid of the law…We must implement capital punishment and the cat o’nine tail and whatever other action is necessary to stem the flow of crime" Mr. Miller suggested when he appeared as a guest on Love 97’s daily talk show "Issues of the Day" with host Algernon Allen.
"…. It bothers me that we can allow 12 men to sit in London and decide the fate of people who are grappling with situations beyond the realm of what they face. A government is elected for and on behalf the people. So, if you cannot or are not prepared to do your job, you should resign as a Member of Parliament. I don’t see the Members of Parliament on both sides speaking out against crime or calling a special session of parliament to say we are going to deal with this once and for all."
Mr. Miller’s son Mario was found dead in a bushy area near Super Value Food Store in the Winton area on June 2002.
According to reports, he was stabbed 18 times about the body.
Evidence coming out of the case revealed that the official cause of death was a stab wound to the lungs and a chop to the neck, resulting in acute blood loss.
The Crown alleged that brothers Ricardo Miller, 30, also known as Tamar Lee, and his younger brother Ryan, 24, intentionally caused Miller’s death.
However, the first and second trials ended in a retrial.
Yet another retrial has been ordered.
So far this year, the country has recorded 55 homicides. The last two occurred over the holiday weekend.
On Friday, Slyvannus Williams, 45, was reportedly in an altercation with a woman believed to be his wife when she allegedly stabbed him in the parking lot of Green Parrot Restaurant and Bar on East Bay Street.
Just over 24 hours later, Exuma resident Cely Smith was killed.
According to police, four dreadlocked gunmen shot the 45-year-old Stuart Manor resident around 7:30 a.m. Sunday.
It is crimes like these that have made the call for the death penalty almost deafening at times.
"He who feels it, knows it. When you have to go to the hospital to identify your loved one or see them in the street murdered, then have someone talk foolishness around your head about hanging or any lethal injection, what about that person who would never take another breath? You would never see them get married. They would never have a grandson or granddaughter," he said.
"God gave us life and he is the one who is supposed to take us home. Anyone who interferes must be prepared to give their own [life]….This foolishness of going up to Fox Hill [Her Majesty’s Prison] and getting fat at the expense of the state is utter garbage."
But not everyone believes the death penalty is the solution. In fact, many argue that executing a convicted murderer would not cause crime to decrease.
But, Mr. Miller said the offender who kills would not kill again.
The country’s unabated crime wave has also driven up the cost of doing business.
In fact, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce President Khaalis Rolle recently told a local daily "many companies are scared to do business after dark."
Mr. Miller agreed.
"We have 10 police officers (at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace) on the weekends because we saw situations arising," he said.
"…This costs us between $8,000 and $10,000 per month….This is one of the drawbacks of operating in a society where crime is so prevalent... The criminals are getting bolder."
Earlier this year, Mr. Miller was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight.
Two men reportedly exited a gold Chevy Impala, put two guns to his head and told him to hand over the money or he would be killed.
The two men reportedly got away with nearly $30,000.
"When a man has a gun pointed at you, you are not in charge. Don’t act as if you are in charge. You can make the money back. Think about your life, your loved ones, those who depend on you," he said.
"You can’t be the hero. In every movie, the hero normally dies at the end. I’m not trying to be the hero."
August 4th, 2010
jonesbahamas
By Macushla N. Pinder:
A former cabinet minister and victim of crime is strongly backing the call for capital punishment to resume in The Bahamas in the face of a "severe crisis" in the country.
According to businessman and former Blue Hills MP, Leslie Miller, Bahamians are being terrorised in their own country and something has to be done about it.
"The police do a fabulous job, so the problem isn’t the police, it’s the court system and those persons who are unafraid of the law…We must implement capital punishment and the cat o’nine tail and whatever other action is necessary to stem the flow of crime" Mr. Miller suggested when he appeared as a guest on Love 97’s daily talk show "Issues of the Day" with host Algernon Allen.
"…. It bothers me that we can allow 12 men to sit in London and decide the fate of people who are grappling with situations beyond the realm of what they face. A government is elected for and on behalf the people. So, if you cannot or are not prepared to do your job, you should resign as a Member of Parliament. I don’t see the Members of Parliament on both sides speaking out against crime or calling a special session of parliament to say we are going to deal with this once and for all."
Mr. Miller’s son Mario was found dead in a bushy area near Super Value Food Store in the Winton area on June 2002.
According to reports, he was stabbed 18 times about the body.
Evidence coming out of the case revealed that the official cause of death was a stab wound to the lungs and a chop to the neck, resulting in acute blood loss.
The Crown alleged that brothers Ricardo Miller, 30, also known as Tamar Lee, and his younger brother Ryan, 24, intentionally caused Miller’s death.
However, the first and second trials ended in a retrial.
Yet another retrial has been ordered.
So far this year, the country has recorded 55 homicides. The last two occurred over the holiday weekend.
On Friday, Slyvannus Williams, 45, was reportedly in an altercation with a woman believed to be his wife when she allegedly stabbed him in the parking lot of Green Parrot Restaurant and Bar on East Bay Street.
Just over 24 hours later, Exuma resident Cely Smith was killed.
According to police, four dreadlocked gunmen shot the 45-year-old Stuart Manor resident around 7:30 a.m. Sunday.
It is crimes like these that have made the call for the death penalty almost deafening at times.
"He who feels it, knows it. When you have to go to the hospital to identify your loved one or see them in the street murdered, then have someone talk foolishness around your head about hanging or any lethal injection, what about that person who would never take another breath? You would never see them get married. They would never have a grandson or granddaughter," he said.
"God gave us life and he is the one who is supposed to take us home. Anyone who interferes must be prepared to give their own [life]….This foolishness of going up to Fox Hill [Her Majesty’s Prison] and getting fat at the expense of the state is utter garbage."
But not everyone believes the death penalty is the solution. In fact, many argue that executing a convicted murderer would not cause crime to decrease.
But, Mr. Miller said the offender who kills would not kill again.
The country’s unabated crime wave has also driven up the cost of doing business.
In fact, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce President Khaalis Rolle recently told a local daily "many companies are scared to do business after dark."
Mr. Miller agreed.
"We have 10 police officers (at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace) on the weekends because we saw situations arising," he said.
"…This costs us between $8,000 and $10,000 per month….This is one of the drawbacks of operating in a society where crime is so prevalent... The criminals are getting bolder."
Earlier this year, Mr. Miller was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight.
Two men reportedly exited a gold Chevy Impala, put two guns to his head and told him to hand over the money or he would be killed.
The two men reportedly got away with nearly $30,000.
"When a man has a gun pointed at you, you are not in charge. Don’t act as if you are in charge. You can make the money back. Think about your life, your loved ones, those who depend on you," he said.
"You can’t be the hero. In every movie, the hero normally dies at the end. I’m not trying to be the hero."
August 4th, 2010
jonesbahamas
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