Oct. 2
INDIA:
'I'm glad my son's killers will live'
The mother of an artist from Darlington murdered in India has spoken of
her relief that the three men responsible are not to be put to death.
Edna Green, 85, said she will never get over the death of her son David,
53, but that capital punishment was against his "living nature."
Mr Green was shot in the back and mugged while sketching wildlife at the
River Betwa, in Orchha, in January.
Last week three men were sentenced for his murder and jailed for life.
Speaking to BBC News Online, widow Mrs Green, of Darlington, said: "My son
would not have hurt a fly and he would not have wanted those responsible
to die - after all they have mothers too.
"David was kind and unique and belonged outdoors. He did not care about
money as long as he was free to enjoy wildlife.
"He was so loving and a very complete person and although I will never get
over his death, I am not a bitter person and am trying to get on with my
life."
The men responsible, Jagat Singh, Lal Singh and Satish Soni, convicted
last week, are expected to serve at least 20 years in jail.
Mr Green, a former zoo keeper, was a self taught artist and once
illustrated a book for botanist David Bellamy.
He visited the Indian village of Orchha in central India for 3 months
every two years taking gifts for local children.
Since losing her son, grandmother-of-3 Mrs Green has been comforted by her
other son Michael, 56.
She added: "David once told me he was not afraid to die. About 10 years
ago he was in India and was mugged and had a gun held to his head.
"They stole his money and his binoculars, but it did not put him off going
again."
The death penalty is not used often in India, and is normally reserved for
particularly gruesome or politically sensitive cases.
However, because Mr Green was a foreign national visiting the country,
there was a chance the death penalty could have been used.
Gang robbery with murder is one of the crimes where the death penalty can
be applied.
(source: BBC News)
