[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Aug. 21




TRINIDAD:

Trinidad pushes for death penalty despite ruling


Prosecutors are seeking a constitutional amendment to prevent Britain's
Privy Council from commuting death sentences in this Caribbean nation.

Attorney General Bridget Annisette-George is asking legislators to amend
the constitution to try and block the highest court of appeal from
interfering with Trinidad's death penalty.

The Privy Council in London ordered affiliated Caribbean governments in
1993 to execute killers within 5 years of their convictions or it would
reduce their sentences.

It recently reduced death sentences to life in prison for 52 convicted
killers, the 2nd largest group to receive new sentences.

Trinidad's government blames the appeals process for lapses between
sentencing and executions. Annisette-George said Tuesday that attorneys
are doing their best to stay within the timeframe.

Trinidad has seen a spike in violent crime this year, with 318 killings
reported from January through August, compared with 190 killings during
the same time last year.

There were 391 killings for all of 2007.

(source: Associated Press)