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Parliamentarians condemn 8-year-old's killing, propose harsher punishment for perpetrators

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By Warren Bertram 
 
Several Members of Parliament have condemned the killing of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe.
 
During Tuesday's sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Andrew Holness called for people to share information that can assist the police with their investigations.
 
He said he has heard the call for those responsible to be severely punished but outlined that the penalty would be for the courts to decide. 
 
"We do not know the circumstances behind it. And in our system, the courts will have to make a determination and pass sentence. Views have been expressed in this House and outside of this House regarding the deterrent effect of sentencing. I make no pronouncement on it whatsoever, except to say that this crime is so gruesome that it deserves the full force of the law and justice," Mr. Holness acknowledged. 
 
Opposition Leader Mark Golding called for parliamentarians to push through legislation to effect harsher punishment for perpetrators of crimes against children. 
 
Mr. Golding pointed to two bills he said were brought to the House in December 2015 but then fell off the order paper due to the dissolution of Parliament shortly thereafter. 
 
"They have never been brought back. But I would say to the Prime Minister and his government, this is something which could be fast-tracked. That work was already done. And in terms of an immediate response to impose a significant penalty or array of penalties on that particular type of activity...it would be worth doing that quickly," he proposed.  
 
'Hang them!'
 
Member of Parliament for St. Mary Western Robert Montague, who also adddressed the House, renewed his calls for the imposition of the death penalty for those involved in the murder of Danielle Rowe.
 
Mr. Montague expressed his outrage at the brutal act and said the culprits should be put to death. 
 
"Let us strengthen the systems in the courts so that they will find them guilty. And for this crime, that is the worst of the worst, let us hang them by the neck until they are dead," he demanded, noting that "nice little things and sweet talk are not going to work". 
 


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