SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — In the wake of rampant bloodletting in the parish a Westmoreland clergyman says he would be in favour of capital punishment, but corruption must first be wiped out of the police force and the judiciary.

Delivering his ‘Resurrection Sunday’ sermon Bishop Oneil Russell, head of the Ark of the Covenant Holy Trinity Church in Savanna-la-Mar, was, however, quick to declare that he does not support jungle justice.

“The man who kills another, Moses’ law says he should be put to death. I would support capital punishment if the police force clean up and the judiciary clean up,” said a militant Russell.

“I don’t want anyone to get the impression that I am advocating jungle justice or revenge killing. We are now under grace but once you kill a man, your life should be taken,” added Russell.

Delivering a fiery sermon from the pulpit of his church seated deep in the heart of the gritty, inner-city Coke Street community in Savanna-la-Mar — the area declared a zone of special operations in January — Russell argued that artistes who spew violent lyrics in dancehall songs should also be blamed for the senseless killings across the nation.

He called on the youth not to emulate these artistes.

“Some of these musicians, they get up and they sing these songs glorifying murder and telling people how to commit murder… they need to be blamed for some of these killings in the country. They sing about killing in broad daylight, that they don’t have nuh heart. There is demon in this music. Stop glorifying these musicians,” urged Russell.

He also called on parents to be more responsible and to guide their young boys away from the path of crime and violence.

“Mothers, tell your sons to behave. Fathers, tell your sons to behave. Talk to your children,” he pleaded.

The clergyman said he is willing to play a mentorship role in the lives of the youngsters but warned them that they have to “follow the process”.

“I don’t shelter criminals, but I have to support the young people. I cry for them. I am willing to stand for them but they must also understand the process and give their lives to God,” said Russell.

The ZOSO has significantly reduced crime in the community but Russell said while he supports the crime measure, the time has now come for the social intervention phase to kick in.

“I welcome the ZOSO and the extension of it but we need a social intervention programme now. Every day we are just hearing about procurement. Time come now,” he insisted.

Constable Richard Barrett was among four people killed in Westmoreland between last Friday night and Saturday, and the churchman condemned the killings.

“Imagine, they gun down a police at his business place…they take the life of a member of the security force. We are in deep trouble. Jamaica is in serious crisis, Jamaica is in serious trouble,” bemoaned Russell.