Reinstate the death penalty!

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I want to commend the police for acting quickly in arresting suspects for the slaughter of Andrea Lowe-Garwood in Falmouth, Trelawny. I however, lament the fact that there are more murders in Jamaica when compared to the comparative period last year. Let me be very clear, the loud-mouthed politicians on both sides bear a lot of responsibility for the crime rate in Jamaica.

These murderers are not afraid to commit their crimes unmasked and in broad daylight because they know that they will spend a little time in prison or may spend no time at all because people are afraid to come forward as witnesses. Crime is therefore perpetuated with a number of reprisal cases. This is the situation in Jamaica. Criminals must know that if they take a life, they have forfeited theirs. Murderers must face the death penalty swiftly. Why are the politicians refusing to listen to the people to reinstate the death penalty? Don’t tell me about Amnesty International! America is carrying out the death penalty. One of the last persons executed by the federal authority didn’t pull the trigger, but was a part of the team. The crime was committed when he was 18. He was executed last December by the federal Government at age 42. After spending 24 years behind bars, he still paid with his life. Jamaica must allow the death penalty to work. Please execute the murderers and stop talking only when blatant crimes are committed. We can’t be playing with those criminals! Let the gallows do its part!

DONALD KIRKPATRICK