IN ANY society, continuously high levels of unsolved serious crimes, particularly that of murder, and similar corresponding levels of low conviction rates, signal a situation that threatens the safety and protection of its citizens, and the security of the State in general.This frightening state of affairs had been editorialised by the Guyana Chronicle, when reference had been made to the brutal murder of 26-year-old Delon Melville, a young man in the East Bank Demerara community of Mocha, in early 2013. His partially decomposed body had been discovered in a ditch aback the community, some days after his disappearance.
There were complaints/criticisms from the murdered victim’s family members, because of what they perceived to have been investigators’ sloth and disregard in taking note and following up on information they had given, which they believed could have led to the apprehension of those responsible for their relative’s cruel demise. That murder is still unsolved, thereby becoming a cold case, with the killer(s) joining the growing list of those not caught.
We had editorialised that unsolved murders mean un-apprehended killers are not found, and are still at large, among unsuspecting citizens. It was concluded that such a category, emboldened by the fact of not being apprehended, do often repeat their grisly act, since they become assured of their anonymity. They become pre-disposed killers, ready to take another life with impunity.
Included in this killer group is the hit-man type, with which there has been zero success, except in the sole instance of the arrest of a Surinamese, Omar Williams, for the alleged shooting death of 37-year-old Sheldon Cheddi, popularly called ‘DJ Cheddie’, at the popular ‘Turning Point’ hangout joint.
In fact, the alleged assassin was caught by public-spirited citizens who immediately gave chase as he tried to flee the scene of the murder. Thus it comes as no surprise that at the just-concluded Police Officers’ Conference, President Donald Ramotar, in what can be described as his harshest criticism yet of the Guyana Police Force’s performance, with special reference to unsolved murders, expressed both his displeasure and disappointment at such a state of affairs, emphasising that should the police “fail to get a grip of the situation, there is a high possibility that Guyana could begin to experience an avalanche of criminal activities.”
Of course, President Ramotar, speaking in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief, reflected on the unanimous view of all Guyanese citizens, as well as he should, for, after all, his administration has continued to invest billions of dollars in the security sector for its continued restructuring for better and effective service for the nation’s safety and protection. He was absolutely correct when he alluded to value for money. After all, no government would have allocated $83.3B, inclusive of $19.5B for 2014, in its security sector over a five-year period, beginning as from 2010, as an example, for the kind of results that have killers still roaming free, and prosecutions — even in cases where assailants are held, charged and placed before the courts — being acquitted because of sloppy police investigative work, as a Supreme Court judge alluded when she was forced to acquit two persons that had been charged for the capital offence.
If the dismissal of Carlyle Barton, captured so clearly on CCTV firing the murderous shots that killed Shawn Smith, was outrageous and offended the sensibilities of the Guyanese public, then that of Rondy Jagdeo for the slaying of Kirk Davis was a gross insult to the local system of justice, and to all law abiding citizens.
The fact that Jagdeo’s motorcycle had been parked outside of the court, testified as to the anticipation of the court’s results, a fact underlined by President Ramotar during his reference to both cases. The acquittals of both men were as perverse as could be.
As stated quite clearly in the editorial referenced above, every society must have the legitimate expectations, and be assured that all offenders, especially those who commit serious crimes, are apprehended after proper investigation, charged and placed before the court, with all the relevant legal ingredients present for a proper conviction. It is only fair that families of the victims of crime be satisfied that justice has been properly dispensed on their behalf.
However, for this condign result to be achieved, all the components of the justice system must play their designed/specific role, beginning with the police investigators who must ensure that very thorough investigations are done; proper and detailed witnesses accounts are taken, ensuring also that they are made aware of their court appearances’ dates. It must also be borne in mind that the successful prosecution of any court matter depends on the quality of the evidence gathered during the investigative phase. Therefore, a heavy responsibility rests with the law enforcement authorities in ensuring that their part of the judicial process is professionally executed, and without fear or favour.
Let it be said quite clearly that murderers not apprehended by the law, or are deliberately allowed to escape the Bar of Justice, can only add to an already serious crime milieu. But this will be another editorial for another time.