Some things in this land is just plain ole wrong

Some things are simply amazing, like Chanderpaul smashing 26 off Harmison at the Stadium yesterday. Other times, some things are just simply mind boggling and ridiculous.

I must confess that in the area of law, I know nothing but I have a sense of ethics and morality and as such I was shocked, confused, dazed and appalled when I read that Justice Patterson, sentenced two men for 8 years in prison and another man received three years probation for the killing of another man.

This just seems like a blatant miscarriage of justice. Taking a life is just that, taking a life and these men did that and they should be punished accordingly, remember justice must not only be done, it must also appear to be done and really in this instance, it would appear as though ‘justice’ is on a vacation. I am not advocating for the state to take theirs but can this honorable judge really believe that 8 years is an adequate punishment for this crime? These men tied up a man and beat him to death for heaven’s sake and in 8 years they will walk away free men, able to continue their lives. For whatever life the deceased lived, whatever wrongs he did, he was not supposed to be killed

True, this was manslaughter and not murder but another question must be asked. Why does the DPP accept so many manslaughter pleas? Are there not competent lawyers there that can prosecute a murder charge? Or is the police not capable of doing proper investigations to facilitate a murder trial.

And then to add insult to serious injuries, the third accused was given three years probation for being involved in this crime. Are you freaking kidding me judge? Three years probation? Nonsense of the highest value! Many men have gone to jail for less! Some people, mostly young adults would receive five years probation for stealing (simple larceny) and here we have a HIGH COURT judge giving three years for being an accessory to murder/manslaughter. How wrong is that?

For too long, too many persons have been getting off lightly from the courts. Too many murder accused plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and this is a practice that needs to be attended to. Serious questions must be asked of the DPP chambers

Does Guyana have a sentencing policy in effect for the judiciary? If we don’t then the judges clearly aren’t using it. If we don’t then it is about God Damn Freaking Time that we got one.