Blackmoore not ruling out death penalty in crime fight

Blackmoore is not ruling out the death penalty

Minister of Justice, Immigration and National Security Rayburn Blackmoore has revealed that the whole question of the death penalty is not something that should be ruled out in the fight against crime.

Blackmoore’s statement at a press conference on Friday was made in light of a number of reported crimes on the island in recent times.

“I also am a strong believer that once someone deliberately take somebody’s life, its premeditated that, that person has forfeited his or her life to live and its left to the state, once due process has been followed to decide what happens to that person, so the whole question of the death penalty is not something we should rule out,” he argued.

He continued, “I think, going forward we have to ensure the law in itself has sanction, and of course, the law has sanction when persons who are found guilty, get sentences that actually suit the actual crime.”

Blackmoore also expressed sympathies to the family and loved ones of the two individuals who lost their lives this year.

“I want to just say at this point and to express my sympathies to the family and loved ones, of course, we have had for the year two unfortunate incidents where persons have lost their lives and the latest incident in Loubiere, when one sees the brutality in that act, I mean it’s cause for concern for us going forward,” he remarked, referring to the brutal killing of 31-year-old Valda Rosa Laville in that community.

Additionally he said, “We have to get to a point where we have to become much more kinder and gentler as a small nation and we have to start actually looking at the issue of, [ I mean that is for the court to decide] the issue of sentencing and I am one who believes that the sentence must suit the crime.”

Meantime; he described 2016 as a very active one for his Ministry as the government pursues its mandate in ensuring that the Commonwealth of Dominica remains a peaceful and safe environment.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

29 Comments

  1. January 18, 2017

    whosoever diggeth a pit shall fall in it

  2. talk talk talk
    January 17, 2017

    takers that’s whom they are just want to see their face on the news

  3. Concerned
    January 17, 2017

    Don’t worry….the death penalty might be revamped for when the muzzle comes in effect….I can just see it coming…..its a domino effect….muzzle Dominicans and death penalty for anyone opposing what is and should be….omg…I am getting concerned seriously for my people

  4. Anthony P. Ismael
    January 16, 2017

    They were unable to locate and bring to justice, the culprits who attempted to murder Glenworth Emmanuel and his wife at home a few years ago. Monga’s murder remains unsolved till this day. How do you even sentence someone to death, when there are unsolved open murder investigations on the islands with the culprits being unknown in such a small island like ours? This Labor Regime has done a masterful job conditioning the minds of Dominicans both at home and abroad. Whenever one of these mouth pieces opens their trap, all forms of induction and deduction go out the window. They believe everything that these bunch of cronies have to say. I’ve listened to the lies and propaganda from Rayburn before. I refuse to drink this latest iteration of Kook Aid that Rayburn is serving this time around, just like I did the last time he opened his trap.

    • Gerald Balachoir, MSc. (Econ)
      January 17, 2017

      Good points Sir.

      Also, whenever a government proposes a death penalty, be careful as 100% no politicians will get to the gallows, only the peasants. The death penalty thing together with a new ‘public order act’, are the desperate acts of a dictator who aims to stifle dissent at any cost.

      Do not be fooled. The death penalty is for us, not them.

      The death penalty does not deter murders, nor does it bring back the people who were murdered. In all countries where it is practiced, murder rates go up each and every year, or remain static.

  5. Anthony P. Ismael
    January 16, 2017

    First and foremost, we must not be fooled by “Wolves in Sheep Clothing,” like Rayburn “Marte. This was the same Rayburn, former Minister of Communication and Works who told us that Labor would be constructing a Cruise Ship Birth in Canefield. I’m still waiting like the old fool that I am.
    Now back to the “Death Penalty Business.” The Labor regime can enact this legislation tomorrow and it will still have zero effect on crime. My guess is you all are assuming that there will professional investigations conducted by the police and these cases will not be thrown out on technicalities. If Rayburn and company can’t find the keys to the “Registry,” what makes you think that they can carry out professional investigations into death penalty cases and hence provide the desired results?
    I’ve seen this game before and I have no confidence in Rayburn and Company. They are good for selling our passports and enriching themselves. That’s it!

    • Jon Jones
      January 18, 2017

      Careful what you ask for. You really want to put the death penalty in the hands of this bunch of incompetent, fraudulent jokers? I understand the sentiment but I would advise against it with this bunch.

  6. MILITANT DOMINICAN
    January 16, 2017

    Mr Blackmore I Must Admit That Im No Fan Of Yours! But I MUST Take A Moment Too TOTALLY, & COMPLETELY Agree With You On This Stance. The Free out Attitude Which Is Goping On Back In What I Once Called Home, Is Becoming SCARY & This Is What Its Gonna Take To Bring Back Order. For The 1st Time Young Man I Can Say To You, “DAMM GOOD JOB.”

  7. January 16, 2017

    If the goal is deterrence then there’s plenty of social science research to show that executions don’t accomplish it.

    If the goal is vengeance, that’s contrary to Jesus’s instructions to us to show love and forgiveness (even if our resident Internet pastor doesn’t believe in that part). Remember how Pope John Paul the Great visited the man who attempted to assassinate him and forgave him?

    And don’t fool yourselves into thinking that government — any government — won’t make mistakes and execute the wrong people, whether by accident, or worse, on purpose.

    Resuming executions is a desperate and ill-conceived idea, one that deserves to be opposed by the people and withdrawn from consideration by this or any other government.

    • The Truth Be Told (Original)
      January 18, 2017

      Pope Francis has also spoken against the death penalty. It is his opinion. It is not a Dogma of the Catholic Church. In this case, Catholics do not have to agree. We also should not openly oppose what he stated to the point of demonstrating. :lol: We must be gracious and keep the peace as faithful and good Christians.
      The criminals of today, it may be necessary to bring back the death penalty. They are getting more brazen. They vehemently oppose the Law of the land. Anyone who stands in their way they will snuff out from this life.
      I am a Catholic and I do feel the death penalty should be reinstated under certain conditions. Those who treasure their life, that of others and appreciate their safety, would at least consider it.

  8. Dr. Petrie Almond, D.Litt.
    January 16, 2017

    Our friends and lovers, China, has the highest death penalty rate in the world. It kills each year more that the rest of the wold’s court-based executions together.

    But still year after year, killings by crime go up an up in that forsaken country. Why? It is proven that the death penalty is not a deterrent but just encourages more killing.

    Killing someone who killed your child does not get the child back. However, measures to prevent people from killing children will keep the children alive.

    By way of analogy, if a cockroach comes to your house and you kill him, others will continue to come. You can kill as many of them as you want, but unless you find out why they are coming and take measures to demotivate them, you will be wasting your time.

    Stop being an fool Sir, read, get an education and take dominica into the 22nd century, not the the 1st.

    • The Truth Be Told (Original)
      January 19, 2017

      Should you allow the cockroach to proliferate throughout your house?
      The problem is, criminals/murderers never think they will be caught. This is why they continue their pillage.
      Having stated that, it comes to mind as the cockroach, :lol: similar to driving under the influence and causing accidents, injuries and fatalities. No matter what the police do, there are “Ride programs” and others to catch them, some still continue to drive under the influence.
      A few months ago one even drove straight into a police check point where an accident had occurred. He was arrested. When they are caught, they spend the night or a few days in jail/detention. Their vehicle is impounded. They lose demerit points and could be imprisoned.
      I heard/read through the Toronto Media that stricter penalty will not deter drunk drivers. There are many of them in Toronto. Due to this, should they not be punished?
      At least the death penalty will eradicate some evil ones from society.

  9. January 16, 2017

    Hon Blackmore you have my support on that one; i have long argued that those persons in Dominica who state that the death penalty does not deter crime or rather Murder have yet to present any argument to back their claim ; yet they may be right because as it is just on the Law books it has no effect. The question to be asked is when last did someone face the gallows in Dominica?; heinous murders deserve the death penalty an example should be made of those persons; and until we measure the number of hangings viz-a-viz murder committed then don’t give me that crap of hanging does not deter murder.

    • Gerald Balachoir, MSc. (Econ)
      January 17, 2017

      You Sir, are an idiot.

      Killing anyone DOES NOT GET THE PERSON THEY KILLED BACK! We don’t want murderers punished, we want them NOT to murder anyone in the first place.

      Countries that practice the death penalty NEVER see reductions in murders. The more they kill, the more the murders go up, or stay static.

      Study, after study shows that the last thing a murderer things of before dispatching someone is that they will face the death penalty. If the death penalty was deterrent, why are murders going up each and every year in China and the USA for example?

      Go on Mr. Big Brains, tell us why.

  10. Polls Archive
    January 16, 2017

    I hope is not to do like St. Lucia.

    To drag out the appeals process for so long that there is a law that automatically commutes the death penalty to a life sentence after a period of time.

    Because if is that you all want to put in place, that is just another loophole for mordarah to slip through.

    The death penalty should be meted out within 3 years of the sentence.

    It’s time for this administration to stop playing hoop seway with straight forward issues.

  11. January 16, 2017

    Too many hard core crimes in DA. Maybe death penalty on the books wii deter some clinal behavior.

  12. Jack the old man
    January 16, 2017

    Mr. Blackmore I met you in New York sometimes ago and based on your convey your message I knew that your Methodology was one very close to my ideas especially on crime. I remember growing-up as a young man in Dominica maybe every twenty-years I would hear a person get killed in Dominica. However, that’s not what it is know. Therefore, the death penalty must need to be a closer looked at and a stronger government law enforcement must also take a look at. Fore example the Government a loosing to many criminal cases. Therefore there must be a review of how to present murder case before the court. In my opinion if you intend to implement the death penalty you must first take a look at you case preparation, because it will become even harder to get a conviction of any capital cases. If you read my post e-mail me and we can have a conversation for further dialogue.

    • vrai den
      January 16, 2017

      I agree with you Jack…. There are several things that affect the outcome of criminal cases brought before the court. What you talk about regarding how to present cases before the court. There needs to be proper gathering of evidence and processing of crime scenes by police officers. Many of them are not properly trained, so they botch up the investigation from the beginning. Also the level of crime has escalated in Dominica. Is the judicial system,including the police dept. and especially the OFFICE of THE DPP staffed adequately to handle this much larger volume of crime? Crime has increased ten fold, if not more, almost every day is a major crime that we are hearing about, and what about the ones we do not hear about, like all the child abuse that is hidden, but still have to be dealt with, to try to get justice for the victims. We need a lot f change and improvement in many areas Mr. Blackmore, before we GET BACK TO BEING A PEACEFUL AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

  13. January 16, 2017

    First sensebel thing coming from Blackmoor, and make a few examples :-D :-D

  14. Da4real
    January 16, 2017

    OMG……. Finally someone in government is uttering what I’ve been saying for years… DEATH PENALTY!!!!!! DEATH PENALTY!!!!! DEATH PENALTY!!!!!!!. Thank you minister Blackmore. I hope you suggest to the judicial system to make a public example of these cold blooded criminals. Public hanging or stoning is highly recommended. In that way you will be sending a message to these criminals that enough is enough. Way too many people have lost their lives because of these heartless murderers… Thank you again sir…

  15. January 16, 2017

    What are the alternatives to the death penalty for murder? Here are the problems.

    (1) In some cases those who receive a life sentence do spend the remainder of their lives in prison.

    (2) Some have murdered again in prison by taking the life of a fellow inmate or jail guard.

    (3) Some have escaped and murdered again while they are out.

    (4) Men doing life for murder are a bad influence on other prisoners who are in for lesser charges. Long term inmates teach their skills to younger prisoners. This is why those serving time for lesser crimes come out worse than when they went in.

    (5) Men in prison for murder are often responsible for having drugs and weapons smuggled in. They are sometimes responsible for prison riots, and break outs.

    (6) Nothing less than the death penalty for murder matches the crime.

  16. NKRUMAH KWAME
    January 16, 2017

    Hon. Blackmore,
    I do not believe in the death penalty for these reasons:
    1. we did not give life so man has no right to take another’s life. 2. All the EVIDENCE indicate, at all levels – locally, regionally and internationally – that the death penalty does NOT prevent crimes. 3. The person who carries out the job of the hangman, is he/she not also a murderer? 4. It is ALWAYS in times of crisis – a sudden increase in killings – that there is the call to resume hanging; similar to the calls in education circles for improved standards and 5. After 38 years of independence, we as a nation must find means, processes and initiatives to remedy our challenges without having to resort to the old practice of taking someone’s life. We claim to be a Christian community yet we conveniently forget the saying that “vengeance is mine” sayeth the lord.
    HOTEP!

  17. concern
    January 16, 2017

    Death penalty should stay on the books

  18. truth
    January 16, 2017

    Pretenders, ,Stop lying to dominicans, Death penalty? Not under this regime , To hang themselves? LIARS they are

  19. January 16, 2017

    Let’s see how effective this will be. Some people even killing themselves. The threat of Death is no longer a scare when it takes 4 seconds to the point of criminal insanity.

  20. zandoli
    January 16, 2017

    There are two issues here:

    (1). It is up to the judge to impose the death penalty. Only then can the state carry out that sentence. So if those who are convicted and sentenced to die, then he does not have to say a word. He just has to carry out the sentence.

    (2) If he thinks having carrying out the death penalty will serve as a deterrent, he should think again. If that were the case, Texas and Florida would be free of homicides. We all know that is not the case in those jurisdictions.

  21. January 16, 2017

    To be Continued?????

  22. January 16, 2017

    I hope is not Blah! ! Blah! Blah! Mr Blackmore. This killing and chopping needles to stop. Give the chief of police the authority to rid Dominic’s from these menaces and you – government keep quiet when the police force is cleaning up. today is my son tomorrow could surely well be one of your – government ministers children. let’s take Dominica back to the quiet, law abiding country that we once were.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available