Commissioner of Police Supports Abolishment of Death Penalty in Belize

The Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has weighed in on the recent efforts to abolish the death penalty in Belize. Last month, attorneys Godfrey Smith and Parvais Jabbar questioned why the death penalty has not been removed from Belize’s law book given the likelihood it will not be used. The attorneys pointed to the Jared Ranguy case, in which he murdered three of his familiar members. They argue that if the law was not implemented then it would never be and therefore should be abolished. Yesterday, Williams sided with the attorney but stated that it is ultimately left up to the state.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “The truth is as much as many may not believe I am opposed to the death penalty. I don’t believe in it. That’s my personal opinion but I do agree with the attorneys that the way how the system works and if we look at the case of Pratt and Morgan out of Jamaica that went to the Privy Council which has now set the foundation and we see that even the CCJ is adapting that same route that the Privy Council took in Pratt and Morgan I don’t foresee us being able to execute the death penalty in Belize. Because by the time the person would have exhausted all legal option they would have already surpassed the five years mark at which point the Privy Council had then said if you execute a person after five years it is tantamount to cruel and inhuman treatment. So I don’t foresee that happening in Belize, no.’

Reporter: So we should take it off ? 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “Well my opinion is I don’t believe in it. It’s a matter of parliament to decide if they want to take off.”

The attorneys have written several editorial pieces on the matter.