Robertson, Peart, Pickersgill and Hanna

THE JOB of the executioner hangs on the consciences of parliamentarians, who will shortly debate and vote whether to keep the death penalty on the books.

A recent canvass of Members of Parliament (MPs) by The Sunday Gleaner suggests that the abolition of capital punishment in Jamaica may be as far away as the North Pole.

Of 19 MPs interviewed:

Ten indicated support for capital punishment

One MP said he would vote to abolish the death penalty

Three are not sure but are leaning to vote for a retention

Five are still in discussions with their constituents before deciding how they will vote.

However, most MPs who participated in the survey said their fear of a faulty justice system hangs around their necks as they dread putting innocent men to the gallows.

not averse to hanging

Among these legislators were North West Manchester Member of Parliament Dean Peart, who says he is not averse to hanging. But in the uniquely Dean Peart style the Opposition backbencher tells The Sunday Gleaner "... but mi nervous. Mi really fraid dat di wrong man get di rope."

Government MP James Robertson says he will vote to keep capital punishment on the books as long as the justice system can guarantee that the man being made to pay with his life was the one who committed the act.

Jamaica has not carried out the death penalty since 1988, due mainly to the country's inability to dispose of cases within five years as stipulated by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

"It is clear, that with the Privy Council, you are not going to get anywhere," Robert Pickersgill, chairman of the People's National Party (PNP) says.

He intends to vote to retain the death penalty but has accused the government of "hiding behind a conscience vote because it failed to deliver a political promise".

"They (the JLP) said that they would hang within three months. Its now 13 months and who have they hanged," Pickersgill says.

Government MPs

Othneil Lawrence (North West St. Ann) - As a member of a church I will be guided by my pastor and the entire constituency. Based on what is happening in the country with the levels of crime, I don't think we have any choice.

James Robertson (West St Thomas) - I have no problem with capital punishment as long as we have in place a justice system that will ensue that the man that is to be hanged is the one who committed the crime. I will support it as long as we have modern scientific investigation which guarantees that there is no contamination or tampering with evidence. We cannot afford to punish a man for a crime he has not committed.

Joseph Hibbert (East Rural St Andrew) - I will vote for capital punishment to be retained.

Robert Montague (West St Mary) - I have not yet made up my mind. We are having consultations in the constituency. We are canvassing the churches, the youth clubs and other groups and individuals.

Laurie Broderick (North Claren-don - Hang em high! It is not up to the individual conscience but rather the collective conscience of the people who are feeling the effects of crime, that has gone out of control.

J.C. Hutchinson (North West St Elizabeth) - I am not going to disclose that until the voting time. The constituency, I haven't got a feedback from them as yet.

Everald Warmington (South West St Catherine) - I am not supporting it.

Clive Mullings (West Central St. James) - I will be voting for it.

Opposition MPs

Lisa Hanna (South East St Ann) - I will be guided by my constituency. I have been having forum with members of my constituency and the majority of them are in favour of capital punishment.

Patrick Harris (North Trelawny) - The majority of my constituents want the law to be upheld and I will be voting that way.

Morais Guy (Central St Mary - I am in dialogue with my constituency and I constrained to go with them. They say that we should restore capital punishment as long as we are certain that the right man is being punished for the crime.

Noel Arscott (South West Clarendon) - This one is a heavy one. I am meeting with the constituency to gage their positions and when I vote I will lean where the constituency says.

Natalie Neita Headley (East Central St Catherine) - My vote will be based on three factors. My own; the opinion and feelings of my constituency and the reality of what is happening. Personally I am not adverse to capital punishment. I say that we should improve the justice system, allow due process and hang the guilty ones.

Robert Pickersgill (North West St Catherine) - I am on the side that is described as the hawks. My position has always been that I listen to the voice of my constituency and I have no doubt what my constituency are saying.

Sharon Hay-Webster (South Central St Catherine) - I do believe that the law in the present state should be retained but we must ensure that the process of justice is not compromised. The majority of my constituents are in favour of capital punishment.

Peter Bunting (Central Man-chester) - You will have to wait on my contribution when I speak in the Parliament

Dean Peart (North West Man-chester) - I believe that if they are guilty they should be hanged but I am nervous. I am very afraid. It is possible that we could end up killing an innocent man and that has me nervous. If the justice system is of such that we can establish guilt without a doubt I would say hang. I may have to vote against it.

Kern Spencer (North East St Elizabeth) - I am in favour of capital punishment and will be supporting its retention on the basis that there is a firm commitment that the justice system will be improved so that an innocent man will not reach the gallows.

Ian Hayles (West Hanover) - My constituency has directed me and I also share the view they hold. It is not just a conscience vote, it is a vote for Jamaica and I will be voting to retain capital punishment.