Last day of February 2015 - 2/12th of the year is GONE! Never coming back!! How am I doing on my 2015 resolutions? Making some progress. More work to do!
1. "Lee Kuan Yew's condition improves slightly: PMO - AsiaOne Feb 28, 2015"
Wishing Mr Lee continued improvement. Not easy for a 91-year old man.
2. "Landmark decision on death penalty sparks legal debate - The Straits Times Feb 28, 2015
SINGAPORE - When it comes to a murderer, how brutal must he be to warrant the death penalty? In a landmark decision last month, judges were divided on this point - deciding in the end by three to two that convicted killer Kho Jabing, 31, will hang. The decision sparked keen discussion among the legal fraternity, who noted that while it did provide some guidelines on when the death penalty should be upheld, these may not be enough.
Kho's was the first murder case to reach the Court of Appeal since new laws kicked in two years ago, giving judges more sentencing discretion for murder and drug-trafficking offences, as an alternative to mandatory hanging.
In 2008, Kho, a Sarawakian rag-and-bone man, bludgeoned a construction worker repeatedly with a branch while trying to rob him. The decision of the nation's highest court last month hinged on what three of the judges said was the "sheer savagery and brutality" Kho had displayed.
In essence, the act "outraged the feelings of the community", which justified the death penalty. The two dissenting judges, however, were not convinced there was enough evidence to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Kho had struck the victim three or more times, or with such force as to cause the man's fatal skull fractures."
Sorry I have to end February 2015 to comment on this death sentence controversy.
Lessons for me are:
1. if the laws are right, and the trial fair and open, then when the judge or judges reached a verdict of accidental or unintentional manslaughter and NO Murder, then no death sentence is passed;
2. BUT if the verdict of murder is reached beyond reasonable doubt, it should be clear that it is death sentence as prescribed by the laws. Will it bring back the dead who was murdered if he or she was KILLED in a 'manner that outraged the feelings of the community'? Does 'killing a person in a NOT outraging the feelings of the community' manner NOT killed a person? I find the judge(s) is/are just splitting hairs! Generosity misplaced! Seriously!!;
3. so the legal community is talking about this judgement and the 2 dissenting judges. I once said I LOVE to be a judge as he or she can INTERPRET the laws as he or she pleases! At least when he or she is ON THE CASE. After that if everyone in the system DOES NOT like the judgement, maybe I get shifted out! No big deal if I can accept the 'demotion'!
The liberals will say I am heartless and cruel and blood thirsty. Well, if it is MURDER, the murderer simply has to pay to his or her crimes.
1. "Lee Kuan Yew's condition improves slightly: PMO - AsiaOne Feb 28, 2015"
Wishing Mr Lee continued improvement. Not easy for a 91-year old man.
2. "Landmark decision on death penalty sparks legal debate - The Straits Times Feb 28, 2015
SINGAPORE - When it comes to a murderer, how brutal must he be to warrant the death penalty? In a landmark decision last month, judges were divided on this point - deciding in the end by three to two that convicted killer Kho Jabing, 31, will hang. The decision sparked keen discussion among the legal fraternity, who noted that while it did provide some guidelines on when the death penalty should be upheld, these may not be enough.
Kho's was the first murder case to reach the Court of Appeal since new laws kicked in two years ago, giving judges more sentencing discretion for murder and drug-trafficking offences, as an alternative to mandatory hanging.
In 2008, Kho, a Sarawakian rag-and-bone man, bludgeoned a construction worker repeatedly with a branch while trying to rob him. The decision of the nation's highest court last month hinged on what three of the judges said was the "sheer savagery and brutality" Kho had displayed.
In essence, the act "outraged the feelings of the community", which justified the death penalty. The two dissenting judges, however, were not convinced there was enough evidence to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Kho had struck the victim three or more times, or with such force as to cause the man's fatal skull fractures."
Sorry I have to end February 2015 to comment on this death sentence controversy.
Lessons for me are:
1. if the laws are right, and the trial fair and open, then when the judge or judges reached a verdict of accidental or unintentional manslaughter and NO Murder, then no death sentence is passed;
2. BUT if the verdict of murder is reached beyond reasonable doubt, it should be clear that it is death sentence as prescribed by the laws. Will it bring back the dead who was murdered if he or she was KILLED in a 'manner that outraged the feelings of the community'? Does 'killing a person in a NOT outraging the feelings of the community' manner NOT killed a person? I find the judge(s) is/are just splitting hairs! Generosity misplaced! Seriously!!;
3. so the legal community is talking about this judgement and the 2 dissenting judges. I once said I LOVE to be a judge as he or she can INTERPRET the laws as he or she pleases! At least when he or she is ON THE CASE. After that if everyone in the system DOES NOT like the judgement, maybe I get shifted out! No big deal if I can accept the 'demotion'!
The liberals will say I am heartless and cruel and blood thirsty. Well, if it is MURDER, the murderer simply has to pay to his or her crimes.
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