NEW YORK, USA — Incensed by last week's murder of eight people in the St Catherine community of Tredegar Park, as well as previous murders this month, some Jamaican nationals here want a return to capital punishment as part of measures to stem the murder rate in their homeland.
The measure has not been carried out since 1991, and has been suspended since 1995 following the landmark ruling by the British Privy Council in the Pratt and Morgan murder case.
That ruling determined that it was inhumane to carry out executions of persons who have been on death row for five years or more.
But according to Observer interviews, there is a real sense of urgency and a deep desire among Jamaicans here for a serious reduction in the country's murder rate and one way to .
Audley Sylvester, a Brooklyn-based businessman said that while he understands that there are risks associated with the death penalty, especially as it relates to the possible execution of the innocent, "a stand has to be taken against the hardcore criminals who show no respect for human lives".
He said if the perpetrators of murders continue to feel they will not face a similar fate as their victims they will continue to destroy the country.
Support for a return to capital punishment also came from Connecticut resident Milton Edwards who argued that "it should be used once all doubts of innocence have been removed".
Similar sentiments were also expressed by Patricia Jones,a travel agent who pointed to the "serious effects the murder rate is having on tourism and Jamaicans who want to invest in our country".
Curtis Martin, a Masachusetts state police officer, also offered what he said was conditional support for the death penalty. He said that as long as there is overwhelming evidence backed by DNA, the measure would be appropriate.
And Earl Hall, a New York-based ex-correctional officer said he thinks capital punishment should form part of Jamaica's crime fighting strategy.
He said that even if it is used as a tool to deter those who plan and carry out such murders, it would could help to lower Jamaica's murder rate.
Still, not everyone here sees the return of capital punishment as a means of significantly reducing the murder rate in their native Jamaica.
Media personality Sharon Gordon said the question as to whether or not execution of convicted murders should resume has left her in a quandary.
On one hand, my moral conscience is saying we have to be compassionate, but what do you tell those people who have been affected by these barbaric acts?"
She said that strong action is needed to deal with the situation. And Horace Thomas, who heads the Jamaica National Movement here, said he is "totally opposed" to the idea of using capital punishment to help reduce the murder rate.
He said the matter needs increased social intervention. Thomas also pointed to swift manner in which the police have apprehended suspects in a number of the recent murders -- including the eight in Tredegar Park — as a sign that the citizens are beginning to play a more active role in fighting crime.
