By Michael Spence
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| Michael Spence |
We must bring back hanging or some form of execution for murder and child rape.
The last two persons executed were brothers from Bethel Town, Westmoreland. They were found guilty of killing a one-eyed man — a good community man, a boxer and small farmer I knew as "BUSTA"—Rest in Peace. Those two brothers in 1988 were the last to be hanged to date in Jamaica, just before Hon. Edward Seaga demitted office as Prime Minister.
When Seaga came into office in 1980, murder was 899. He left it at 439 in 1989. That was more than a 50% reduction. After that, all hell broke loose, and Jamaica has become a murderer's paradise.
In 2024, there were 1,197 murders; then 2025, there were 673, and this is being celebrated. What are we celebrating?
Our role model should be Singapore. With twice our population—6.2 million—Singapore had 7 murders in 2025. There have been years when Singapore has had 2, 3 or 4 murders. That is a civilisation — people living together in peace and harmony—that our country must aspire towards.
We need to take lessons from Singapore, including their swift and certain justice, their zero tolerance for guns and drugs, and their justiciable community policing and discipline. Strong, certain punishment deters.
If we want peace in Jamaica, we must stop cuddling murderers.
Michael Spence
Michael Spence is a graduate of Cornwall College and the University of the West Indies. He is a trained teacher, a sociologist, and a writer for Bark Di Trute.
Micspen2@hotmail.com
Editor's Note
We must compare ourselves with progressive countries that have dealt with crime and murder specifically. We cannot use our past experiences as a yardstick for future performance.
The people seem to be fast asleep on this matter. When will they stand up?
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How does state sanctioned murder change anything as far as crime is concerned in this country. Is it wise to give the ultimate power of life and death to the corrupt, genocidal political class who rule Jamaica? Will you volunteer to demonstrate the efficacy and fairness of the corruot Jamaican political and judicisl class in administering this ultimate power? All of the research is clear. State sponsored murder does nottng to deter crime. And it is terribly costly tonfairly administer. Fix the criminal justice and corrupt political systems to reduce crime. Properly train, compensate and equip investigators so they catch criminal perpetrators quickly and putbtogether cases that result in high successful prosecution rates. Do not give cruel, corrupt politicians the ultimate powrr of life anf deth any more than they have. More innocents will pay the price if you do. Africans who hate themselves so much that they become convinced that there is a white tv zombie peeking at them from the clouds are not in the mental space to have more power over life and death of fellow Afrikan peoples. They deep down hate us because we do not look like who and what they deify and idolize. They cannot be trusted with the power of life and death over Afrikan peoples. They can barely be relied upon to fix roads and maintain clean and sanitary markets and town centers.
ReplyDeleteMichael I really usually like your essays, but today I totally disagree!! Number one Thou shall not kill!!! Secondly: who will be executed are those who cannot afford a good lawyer!! Third to suffer fur lifetime in a prison is a much harder punishment!!!!
ReplyDeleteDear Michael I really appreciate your essays a lot but this time I disagree
ReplyDelete