Murderers in freedom bid
Some 22 murderers, who, under the 1994 landmark Pratt and Morgan ruling had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, are challenging their “natural life” and 75 -year sentences.
They will, however, have to wait another eight months to know the outcome of their constitutional motions.
The 22 men believe they were close to freedom last December after Justice Nolan Bereaux set aside three days that month for hearing of their constitutional motions.
The prisoners’ joyous mood was, however, dampened when the matter was adjourned to January 2009. The convicted killers were left shaken with the sudden news that Justice Bereaux was no longer able to hear their matters.
Justice Bereaux said in court that time did not permit him to begin new cases.
On adjournment the matter went before newly appointed Judge Peter Rajkumar.
Justice Rajkumar was only sworn in on February 2. When the matter came before him the following day, he set aside nine days in October to determine the matters. Hearing of the 22 motions is expected to begin from October 19.
According to the historic Pratt and Morgan ruling, prisoners on Death Row for over five years should be removed and have their sentences commuted to life sentences.
The ruling emanated from a Privy Council appeal by two convicted Jamaican murders bearing the surnames of Pratt and Morgan.
In 1994, 42 killers, who were on Death Row in Trinidad and Tobago, had their sentences commuted to “natural life”.
30 of the 42 inmates are still in jail in Port-of-Spain, the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in the Arouca and Carrera Convict Prison.
The 17 killers who are challenging the “natural life” sentence are Oliver Forde, Michael Bullock, Allan Henry, Ramesh Maharaj, Victor Baptiste, Felix Dean, Rasheed Mohammed, Lall Seerattan, Godson Neptune, Rajendra Krishna, Jainarine Persuad, Deolal Sukhram, Girjadat Sewpersad, Evan Xavier, Fazal Amin Khan, Stephen Hyman, Nobert Williams.
Former Attorney General Ramesh Maharaj changed the sentence to 75 years when he took office under the United National Congress (UNC) Government.
From 1996-2000 convicted killers who were removed from Death Row were given the 75 years sentence. Five killers are also challenging the 75 years sentence.
They are Dexter Lendor, Albert Edwards, Clive Smart, Dharam Ramnanan and Deshan Rampharry.
The “natural life” sentence has been successfully challenged and was deemed unlawful by Justice Mustapha Ibrahim.
Murderers Boodram Bedassie, Ramcharan Bickaroo and Balkissoon Soogrim have since challenged the “natural life” sentence and were released from prison after re-sentencing.