Latest update March 29th, 2025 4:38 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

A questionable sentence

Nov 26, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
It was with disgust that I read your report in the November 12, 2014 edition “Man gets suspended sentence for 67 kilos of cocaine”. Magistrate Alex Moore sentenced the man to a suspended jail time after he pleaded guilty to trafficking in more than 67 kilograms of cocaine and for being in unlawful possession of 125, 12-gauge shotgun cartridges and 115, .32 rounds of ammunition. He was also fined a measly $2.5M or US$12,500.
This case highlights the disparity in sentencing, where other sections of society are sentenced to draconian time in prison for far lesser amounts of cocaine or offences. I am baffled also as to the magistrate’s reasoning in sentencing. Is it that he is intimidated by the man’s obvious connections to the PPP and by extension the government or was there collusion between him and the defendant?
Which brings me to an even more shameful development and concern that go deep into the dilemma in which Guyana finds itself. The defense attorney for the defendant and his family was James Bond, an APNU Member of Parliament and senior lawyer for the PNC.  If there was any illegal collusion (read bribe) between the defendant and magistrate, I am hard pressed to believe that the defence lawyer was not involved in the negotiations and/or also benefited financially for his services, beyond his legal fees.
There are other disturbing factors to this case that have racial overtones, but which I will leave to another place and time. Suffice to say, that it is similar to PPP tactics, of getting Afro-Guyanese to do their dirty work.
Bryan Thomas

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Mice and Jermaine $1.7M Linden Futsal tournament starts tonight with three matches at Retrieve Hard Court

Mice and Jermaine $1.7M Linden Futsal tournament starts tonight with...

Mar 28, 2025

-Milerock face Bamia, Hi Stars battle Botafago, Ward Panthers match skills with Silver Shattas Kaieteur News- With a total $1.4M in cash at stake, thirteen clubs are listed to start their campaign as...
Read More
Slingerz FC hunt second win tonight

Slingerz FC hunt second win tonight

Mar 28, 2025

More sponsors on board ahead of Second Annual GGA/NSC National Long Drive Championship set for Saturday

More sponsors on board ahead of Second Annual...

Mar 28, 2025

LGC to host STP Investments Inc. Golf Tourney this Sunday 

LGC to host STP Investments Inc. Golf Tourney...

Mar 28, 2025

𝐓𝐒𝐔, Region 2 book semi-final spots as teams look towards the finale

𝐓𝐒𝐔, Region 2 book semi-final spots as...

Mar 27, 2025

World Athletics recognize AAG Elections

World Athletics recognize AAG Elections

Mar 27, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]