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Hang them high
BY KAYODE JAMES
APentecostal preacher is calling for the immediate execution of every murderer on death row, as a possible deterrent to rising crime levels.
The call came yesterday, in response to the execution of WPC Elizabeth Sutherland, two members of her family, and a friend at her Morvant home on Monday night.
Speaking at Sutherland’s funeral at Curepe Pentecostal Church, Pastor Ethelbert Charles cited executions and corporal punishment as the first step in a return to the rule of law.
“We say today, that every murderer must be hanged. Death row must be emptied out,” said Charles, to loud cheers and applause from the congregation.
“Bring back the cat-o-nine tails in their tail.”
Charles dismissed the efforts of human rights organisations like Amnesty International in favour of what he referred to as “the divine rights of God.”
“It’s time to stop playing and get serious.”
Charles called for the inculcation of moral and spiritual values into young people by a reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools.
Charles said he believed that Sutherland’s death was ushering in a new era in T&T.
He asked Junior Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, who attended the funeral, to deliver a message to Parliament on behalf of the church.
“Enough is enough. Something has to be done about crime.”
Charles said he had followed Hinds’ career, and considered him a man of integrity. He said the country needed more men like Hinds in leadership roles.
Later in his sermon, Charles encouraged the scores of police officers present to put their trust in Christ.
“No matter what your persuasion, if you put your trust in Him, you, too, can be like Liz,” he said.
The funeral attracted several busloads of police officers, who stood under tents outside the modest Curepe church.
Among those in attendance were Police Commissioner Trevor Paul and Defence Force Chief of Staff Brig Ancil Antoine.
Sutherland was buried in Tunapuna Cemetery, alongside her husband Ivan and daughter Anika.
She was described by fellow officer, Senior Supt Denoon, as a simple and wonderful woman with a very big heart who gave her best in everything she did.
She proudly and eagerly chose her profession, he said, because of a deep desire to make Trinidad and Tobago a better place.
“Her dying, like her living, was significant and true,” he said.
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