Dear Editor,
It was with horror that I read the news report of the April 12th, 2011 court proceedings in New Amsterdam. On this day, Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo sentenced Charles Goodluck- who abused, stalked and stabbed his former lover in the face after she ended their relationship- to one year in prison. One single year! For attempted murder! [Or felonious wounding, as the charge in this case was somehow reduced to…]
The news report stated that Mr. Goodluck had previously been charged with manslaughter, attempted murder, assault and wounding- all committed on former female partners of his. Surely Magistrate Nagamootoo knew about this man’s record when she was considering his sentence (the newspaper did; so should she). I cannot understand then, how she could possibly have decided that one year in jail was sufficient punishment for the crime of what still appears to me, to be attempted murder.
His multiple victims, having experienced enormous fear, pain, and suffering for numerous years, surely deserve better justice than this weak brand dispensed by Magistrate Nagamootoo.
Further confusing the situation is the fact that Magistrate Nagamootoo had previously taken a strong stand on domestic violence- handing down deservedly stern sentences to wife beaters, rapists, and other perpetrators of crime and violence in the past 17 months since her swearing in. However, her soft sentencing in the case of Mr. Goodluck now casts a shadow on her previously commendable stance.
Such weak sentencing is frustrating and demoralizing to the victims and survivors of domestic violence for it sends the message that the court system in Guyana does not take their pain and suffering seriously and will not help to keep their abusers from hurting them further.
Some may say that he has had tremendous ‘good luck’ indeed; his victims on the other hand, cannot boast of the same good fortune.
This is not an isolated incident however- just last week Red Thread and Grassroots Women Across Race highlighted another case- that of Vanessa Francis who was stabbed ten times by her former partner. Even though her attacker was caught and taken before the court (on another, different assault charge), he was freed and continues to stalk and threaten her. Vanessa Francis now lives each day in fear- all because the police and judicial system in Guyana are not working properly.
The blatant disregard for women’s lives and safety that these cases illustrate reveal a deep sickness that is festering within Guyana. We are mired in a very toxic society that creates and encourages men like Mr. Goodluck, and we all need to do everything we can within our power to remove this scourge from our land.
Men cannot be allowed to abuse women with impunity! Women’s lives matter, their complaints must be taken seriously by the authorities, and they deserve to get proper treatment under the law!
Yours faithfully,
Sherlina Nageer
