Capital Punishment Debate Takes Center Stage

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The emotional wounds from two gruesome murders that rocked the nation remain fresh.

The killing of 12-year-old Adriel Moxey, whose body was discovered in bushes near her home, and 72-year-old Vernecha Butler, found lifeless in her residence, have reignited national calls for the death penalty.

These recent cases have reopened long-standing debates about capital punishment in The Bahamas and what qualifies as the worse of the worst.

On Tuesday, a public forum hosted by the Bahamas Bar Association and Eugene Dupuch Law School titled “Death Penalty: The Worst Of The Worst” saw spirited exchanges among legal scholars, human rights advocates, and members of the public.

One resident that we spoke with said justice must be carried out.

While some argue the death penalty is a necessary tool to punish those who commit horrific crimes, others say it’s an outdated practice that does little to prevent criminal activity.

Defense attorney Tai Pinder-Mackey shares this sentiment.