Dear Editor,
I am so appalled at the latest macabre news items that have hit our airwaves that I do not know where to begin. All but the willingly ignorant will know what I am talking about. An innocent young man with a promising future leaves his home in the UK to visit a “god brother” here in Guyana whom he thought was his friend, not knowing that his grave had already been dug. Words fail me as I try to come to grips with how this murder was premeditated, planned and executed in cold-blooded style. His head was bashed in, and his personal possessions seized. I may sympathize with someone, who in a fit of rage, or in self defence, wields an instrument and causes the death of someone. But it is not so with these killers who seem to have lost their consciences.
And the list goes on… a couple is murdered in their own home. A woman is beaten, tortured, taunted, taped and burns to death in her own home, as her son manages to cheat death only by rolling down the stairs to escape the inferno. And we have not forgotten, nor will ever forget, the Robb Street granny, Clementine Parris, whose murder was arranged by a so far nameless person or persons.
If the fear of God is to be restored to this land in this our Jubilee year, innocent blood must no longer be spilled with impunity and, in some instances, seeming immunity. Justice must be firm in substance and effective in operation.
Congratulations to the members of the Guyana Police Force who have risked and continue to risk their own lives as they tackle this scourge. Let’s not take them for granted. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families, friends and associates of these victims.
The time has now come for us to activate the death penalty.
Yours faithfully,
C Heywood
