After the killing of mother of five Susan Powell, yesterday at Heritage Quay, Minister of National Security Dr Errol Cort (centre) called a press conference to brief the country on steps that would be taken to address the issue of crime. Also present (from left to right) were Police superintendent Clement Samuel, Acting Police Commissioner Henry Christian and Colonel Edward Croft, Commander of the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Antigua & Barbuda is to begin actively enforcing the death penalty after a 22-year lull.
The announcement was made by Minister of National Security Dr Errol Cort hours after 38-year-old Susan Powell was shot dead at her workplace. It also comes amid an apparent increase in gun-related crimes.
The shooting death has prompted government to offer EC $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the killing of the mother of five.
In addition, government has offered an EC $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those who have committed crimes involving firearms.
The minister said the death penalty is still on the books and promised that all the necessary legal processes will be utilised to ensure it is enforced.
“Somewhere along the lines, I think many persons may have been of the view that, given the Pratt and Morgan case, the death penalty has been thrown out the window vis-à-vis the decisions of the Privy Council,” he told the media at a press briefing.
“I wish to go on record in saying that that is not the case. And whatever needs to be done will be done to ensure that we move forward in that regard.”
The last hangings were carried out here in 1988, 1989 and 1991.
Dr Cort said he is outraged and saddened by the death of Powell and promised that “no stone will be left unturned in bringing the perpetrator to justice.”
The minister said several other crime-fighting initiatives will be introduced with immediate effect.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
It’s about time Antigua and Barbuda stop fooling around with these criminals and take control of law and order! This is not Jamaica, or America. Antiguans and Barbudans are non vionlent because we are civilised and very educated. We also need to tighten up on immigration, no identification an security checks then no entry into our country!
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A woman was shot and killed in Antigua yesterday, the first murder in the country for the year.
Within 24 hours: 1. High level meeting of all top security services officials. 2. Reward offered for anyone with info which leads to arrest and conviction of perpetrator. 3 Announcement of reward scheme for anyone with info which leads of arrest and conviction of gun crime perpetrators. 4. Announcement that Criminal Justice Bill will be taken to Parliament shortly. 5. Address to the nation by Prime Minister on crime.
I think of another land and I compare…
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Reinstate the death penalty when we have facts that capital punishment does not deter seriously crime. Tell this to the Powell family. What about focussing in on the real issue….police not doing their job to serve and protect our people. Crime plan….failure. Gun violence task force …failure. Police visibility in heritage quay during high risk times….failure. Stop and search operations….failure. Rolling road blocks….failure. But the police chief can be absent during a crisis. But the police chief can demand the resignation of the chief magistrate! Craziness my friends. Time for a change in police leadership! God help us.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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I think the should also make castration a penalty for rape!
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It is a sad tragedy that this recent killing has taken place. But killing of any kind cannot be justified. Society must focus on prevention and rehabilitation rather than further evil. I cannot support the death penalty under any means. Anyone going to speak up for the rights of mankind?
Hot debate. What do you think?
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This approach is necessary in addition all of our police men must be armed because the citizens are also armed. The government must take control of the country and remove the fear that is building within our society because of offenders.
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It’s about time that the authorities come to their senses, i have long call for the re instatement of the death penalty and finally they have listen to me. The criminals have completely taken over antigua and this is a fact.
All those damn criminals must be hunted down and be liquidated. How long can we tolerate this madness? this is a question i pose, the sooner we re instate capital punishment the safer we will all be, let’s do it soon.
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