JUSTICE Navindra Singh, is one of the most feared judges around.This was the opinion of murder accuse Morgan, one of five alleged killers taken to the High Court in chains from the Georgetown prison yesterday to have their cases fixed for hearing.

And Morgan, who has named the lawyer whom he would like to defend him as Mr. George Thomas, but has not yet retained him, was told by the judge that if he did not succeed in retaining that lawyer he should let someone in authority know, and efforts would be made to assign a lawyer on his behalf.

At this stage the bald-headed prisoner told the judge, “I have a report for you.” And when told to go ahead with his report, he began by saying: “Behind the prison doors you are referred to as the prosecution’s judge, who imposes harsh sentences.”

Justice Singh, in replying to the prisoner told him, “All I am seeking to do is to ensure that justice is done and that everyone gets a fair trial.”

The judge then explained: “I am in a position where if found guilty, I could impose the death penalty or inflict a prison sentence. Which penalty you prefer…the sentence or the death penalty?” Morgan’s reply was inaudible.

Some time ago a defence lawyer whose client was convicted and sent to jail for a long period, declared that the judge was attempting to satisfy the wishes of the Human Rights people, who talk glibly about the punishment meted out to the killers, but remain reticent when it comes to relating the horrible deaths victims suffer at the hands of their murderers.

On the other hand there are those who would support the bible and say, “He who lives by the sword must die by the sword.”