Sidney Sweeting, DDS
The headline of the Nassau Guardian of 9/24/11 stated that "The Chief Justice Hits Out."
On Thursday the Minister of National Security suggested that some judges are too liberal when it comes to granting bail to people charged with murder and other serious crimes. The Commissioner of Police had stated earlier that sentences are too light. If the CJ would take a public poll he would learn that the majority of Bahamians agree with the statements by the Commissioner and the Minister.
We are all tired, no, we are totally fed up with the courts allowing these scoundrels and dregs of society to walk amongst honest, law-abiding citizens. It is a travesty and an insult.
I am reminded of the death of Mrs. Cates at Eleuthera and the suspected murderer was given bail. They have yet to find him after he did not appear for the hearing. I am reminded of the 6 year old girl who was taken to a car in the bush and repeatedly raped. The scoundrel was given 6 years (that is SIX Mr CJ) and the child's life is ruined. I am reminded of the girl who was murdered and the killer was given a life sentence. After 18 years a liberal judge decided that the killer had learned his lesson and was released into society. The girl he murdered is still dead. I am sure just a few of us can recall enough such injustices to fill an average newspaper.
On a less serious note, I suggested that the CJ check how many cases have been postponed ad nauseum. I will mention one case at Harbour Island, a case where the criminal confessed to the crime of stealing, yet the case has been postponed for the sixth time, sometimes for very frivilous reasons.
Yes Mr. Chief Justice, the long-suffering public has had enough and I am grateful that the Minister and the Commissioner have spoken out. So, perhaps protocol was not followed but these are very serious times. The Police are doing their job, the time for the courts to do theirs is long overdue.
Thank you Dr.Sweeting.This is probably the only time in the last ten years that I agree with Minister Turnquest, on the other hand, he & his government are responsible for the laws. I have been to many courts since the murder of Mrs.Cates & I can tell you they sure don’t look like they know what they are doing to me.One example of that is,they have everyone at the court to begin the trial & the suspect is nowhere to be seen,plus they all did not give a crap. It’s very disgraceful & very, very poorly run in my opinion.Justice is hard to come by in the Bahamas.Our so called “Justice” system is a disgrace.Sometimes I feel like hiding my passport.
Dr Sweeting I could not agree with you more. When the Minister commented that the judges were too lenient, it was probably the smartest thing he has ever said in his current role. However, in his comments he accepted no responsibility on behalf of the Govt for the failures in correcting the legislation and the court crises which has been out of control for years. If the laws had been tightened up years ago to limit the discretion of the judges, we may not be in such a mess. Now we have to await some grand speach from the PM with more promises.
Sorry, all common sense no longer exists in this country & the criminals rule.We are finished simply because no one in authority seems to care.