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An eye for an eye: Maintain death penalty for extreme criminals

LETTER | The criminal mind and the extent of its extremity cannot be underestimated. There have been cases which were unbelievably ruthless and brutal. 

How many times have we been shocked with horrific murders, robberies and serious assault cases? The criminal justice system without capital punishment is not equipped or tailored to handle such offenders.

The death penalty must be maintained but judicial discretion must be incorporated into every offence that carries such a punishment. However, It should not be mandatory. 

Sentencing should be based on facts, trite law and considered case by case. There are ample case laws that discuss in depth how and when courts have decided to sentence a criminal to death.

Removing it totally from our criminal justice system is not a prudent move when dealing with ruthless, merciless and brutal offenders. These abnormal criminals move amongst us and do not conform to the expected decorum of human compassion. 

They enjoy causing grievous harm, and the really dangerous ones have no other intention but to cause bodily harm. Some have weird sexual urges that target children and the defenceless, causing serious injury, many resulting in gruesome murders. 

Their mindset is different and only those familiar with investigating such dangerous criminals know how their twisted minds work. Most stay dangerous throughout their lives even after incarceration. 

They are not easily recognised as they blend in well with society and take great pains to win the trust of people around them. They are cold and calculating and know how to make those in close proximity let their guard down whenever they are around. 

They understand how the criminal justice system works and navigate their evil intentions within. This is when they are most dangerous. This input by way of using real case studies must become part of the permutations as to why we need capital punishment.

It would be prudent to get views from experienced major crime investigators and public prosecutors who have handled such serious offences. This has to be complemented with experiences by families and loved ones of such victims. 

All the relevant stakeholders must be given an opportunity to be heard before considering removing this punishment from our justice system.

It is opined that the death penalty is a necessity in any criminal justice system. However, there must also be greater improvement in the checks and balances in meting out such a penalty, so that it is used sparingly and only when it is absolutely necessary.

Deterrence is really not the argument in defending this penalty but closure and justice is.


The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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