The Editor, Sir:

Re the article 'Anglican bishops oppose death penalty' in The Sunday Gleaner of November 23, I am disappointed to see that these eminent and reverend gentlemen seemed concerned only about these vicious criminals. Even a merciful God imposes punishment for sins. Are we expected to be more merciful than God?

I feel that public execution of a couple of convicted murderers will send a no-nonsense message to all those who would contemplate such crimes with impunity or without fear of punishment.

Dozens of convicted murderers are being accommodated, indefinitely it would seem, in high-cost security holding cells at great expense. Surely the cost of keeping one convict exceeds the average income of most Jamaicans. In effect, the death penalty has been converted to life imprisonment. The law is being mocked.

The death penalty law is on the statute books. Is there a political directive to ignore or suspend the law? Why has the appropriate execution warrants not been signed after all appeal processes have been exhausted?

Whoever is responsible, stop pussyfooting around and hang them.

I am, etc.,

LLOYD G. TAPPER

llogeta@yahoo.com

Jamaica, New York

Via Go-Jamaica