Dear Editor,

The recent rape and murder of eight-year-old Talia Thompson in Discovery Bay, St Ann, has sent shock waves through my spine and reignited my conviction that the rape and murder of a child should attract the death penalty.

We have descended to a new level of barbarity when grown men start to find the body of an eight-year-old sexually appealing. Childhood innocence is no longer a deterrent to these sexual predators. The escape of the suspect from police guard at a hospital is another painful blow. I trust that he will be recaptured swiftly.

Any adult who rapes or murders a child does not deserve to live. If drastic actions are not taken to severely punish the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, the citizenry will eventually lose confidence in the justice system and the rule of law. A strong message has to be sent to discourage deviants and sexual predators from entertaining thoughts of harming a child. As law-abiding citizens we must do all we can to protect our children and seek justice for the crimes committed against them.

It seems to me that the criminals in this country have no fear of the laws of the land. Many of them commit heinous crimes and are given 10- or 15-year sentences to “come back a road” and pick up where they left off. We need to make the death penalty mandatory for the rape and murder of a child. We can’t continue to allow human rights groups and international treaties to dictate what laws we should implement. Jamaica is a sovereign State and it is full time we enact and enforce laws to address the crimes in our country. The punishment must fit the crime!

If there is a shortage of personnel to operate the gallows, I am more than willing to offer my service at no cost to the State. I will even stand the cost for all the rope needed to ensure that the process is carried out efficiently and in a timely manner.

I am calling on all law-abiding Jamaicans to do everything in our power to protect our children and seek justice for the crimes committed against them. Let us protect the future of our country by standing up for our children. The word is always love for our children!

Andre’ A O Wellington

Dean of Discipline

Alston High School

andrewellington344@yahoo.com