Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to Christopher “Dudus” Coke.

Mr Coke, it would be in your best interest to turn yourself in now to the police in the company of your lawyers and the church team with whom you have met. Much damage has already been done, and it is in no one’s best interest to see more loss of innocent lives.

In order to alleviate your fears, and to prevent what happened to your father in detention, and to Massop and others outside of detention, your team should request and obtain confirmation that you would be held in protective custody – thus guaranteeing your safety – a ward of the commissioner of police.

It would be in your interest to seek a deal with the US Attorney General, agreeing to request a sentence other than life. That would be an incentive to turn yourself in. A guilty plea would also deny the “rats” who “ratted you out” the privilege of having their prison time reduced significantly.Those “rats” would also get an added bonus, such as a waiver on deportation proceedings, by demonstrating extreme bravery in taking the witness stand and pointing the finger at you.

You should also bear in mind that if you decide to go to trial, you are quite certain to face superseding indictment – other charges that you are yet to hear about. Consider all those people you have ever had contacts with as potential “rats”, just waiting to emerge from their holes to squeal on you.

I wouldn’t be surprised if in a little while the police, in conjunction with the various arms of the private sector, post a few million dollars as reward for your capture. It’s time to put a stop to all this madness and stop those folks from feeding off you.

A long time behind bars might bend you, but not break you. You could write a book giving your perspective on the links between crime and politics, and how to avoid the trap. As Gandhi said,”You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” On your release, you could still be president – President for Change. Think Malcolm X, or Mandela – not moral comparison. You could be the Saul who became Paul on the road to Damascus. Here is your opportunity to confirm what your supporters claim – that you are next to God.

It’s time to stop using others and be used by others. Leo Tolstoy’s words illustrate the game that’s being played: “I sit on a man’s back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by any means possible, except by getting off his back.”

Mr Coke, you have the ball! Let’s see your game.

Lloyd McLennon

mococlara@yahoo.com