March 17
TAIWAN:
4 death penalties for metro killer is absurd & illogical
Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to the recent article discussing the Taipei MRT
killer's sentence.
Can a person die 4 times?
The news of the Taipei MRT attack astonished Taiwanese society, and citizens
have long-since condemned the killer, Cheng Chieh. Recently, the court gave him
4 death sentences. Nevertheless, in reality, it is impossible to inflict four
death sentences on a criminal, as we know that people cannot be revived to be
killed again.
The idea from the judge is that Cheng killed four people in the metro, so he
should pay for his deeds. However, the decree suggests that the authorities
have been infected by the desires of the citizenry, because the number of death
sentences is unattainable and is based on the belief that a punishment must
match the injury - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and so forth. Since
the media overly reported Cheng's bloody doings, people have become ireful and
have almost recognized him as the devil; thus, the extreme penalty (just one
capital punishment sentence may not be enough) for him is the will of the
people. If the verdict were to be too soft, the people would be displeased and
place the blame on the "dinosaur judiciary."
Certainly what Cheng did is wrong, but it does not mean that the judgment
should follow the sentiment of the public. If the verdict is only based on the
minds of the citizens, why do we need judiciary?
One death penalty given to a criminal is logical, but four capital punishment
decrees handed down to a criminal is unrealistic and symbolizes an emotional
decision. Overall, the judgment ought to be independent without the influence
of the public so that sentences can be fair and sensible.
Yours faithfully, Angie Chou
(source: Letter to the Editor, China Post)
IRAQ:
236 hanged over the last 2 years
Despite the pressure by the international human right organizations, the Iraqi
government continues to execute and hang convicts.
Statistics show that a total of 236 execution sentences have been implemented
during the last 2 years.
A report by the Higher Commission for Human Rights in Iraq confirms that the
Iraqi government hanged 169 convicts in 2013 who had been sentenced to death by
various Iraqi courts. In 2014, the number of executions was 67.
The report also states that there are 720 more convicts who have been sentenced
to death and are awaiting execution.
Majority of the cases are related to terror, and the Commission calls for
limiting death sentences to terror cases.
The Commission also states in the report that the ex- president, Mr. Jalal
Talabani, did not use to sign execution orders and hence the Prime Minister was
assigned to do that.
But the new orders now are signed by the new President Mr. Fuad Massoum.
(sources: The Kurdish Globe, Hands Off Cain)
NIGERIA:
Defence Asks Court to Drop Charges Against Child Bride Murder
The Prosecution Counsel canvassing death penalty for the 14 years old Child
bride, Wasila Tasiu over culpable homicide has told a Kano High court, Gezawa
that the suspect can't escape justice through back door.
The prosecution counsel, Lamido Abba Soron Dinki position came on the heels of
a no case submission by the Defence counsel, Hussaina Aliyu Ibrahim that urged
the court to acquit and discharge the accused person.
Wasila Tasiu, 14 has been standing trial over the past 10 months for allegedly
killing her husband and 3 others via the application of rat poison on the local
delicacies she served her late husband.
The prosecution lawyer told the court not to evaluate his evidence more
especially that the Defence Lawyers is yet to enter their defence.
The state Counsel further argued that "the issue about the credibility of our
witnesses does not even arise because the law said the testimony of our
witnesses should only be treated on case value".
Abba Soron Dinki cited Supreme Court judgement on Agbo versus the state in 2013
that "a no case submission should be determined within the narrow compass of
the legally admissible evidence produced by the Prosecution and as such should
be based on a case value".
He submitted that the no case submission can't stand on the case under review,
adding that such step would pave way for the accused persons to escape justice
through back door.
However, the court has reserved ruling for March 31st on whether Wasila Tasiu,
14 has a case to answer under the law.
The presiding Judge, Justice Muhammad Yahaya in his ruling said that "the court
hereby fix March 31st for ruling on the application by the defence counsel on
no case submission on behalf of Wasila Tasiu."
(source: The Vvanguard)
INDONESIA:
Bali woman 'swaps faith' for inheritance----An Indonesian woman has been
accused of lying about her religion in a bid to benefit financially from her
Australian husband's murder.
An Indonesian woman accused of ordering the murder of her wealthy Australian
husband is claiming to be of another religion so she won't lose her
inheritance, a lawyer says.
Noor Ellis is facing charges carrying the death penalty after allegedly paying
her maid's boyfriend to kill Robert Ellis, 60.
The successful businessman's body was found in a Bali rice field in October
2014. Ellis told police her husband had neglected her and was denying her money
she was entitled to - a claim that shocked family and friends who knew the
couple.
The lawyer for their 2 sons, Any Aryani, says even as she faces the death
penalty, Ellis is making moves to protect her inheritance.
Ms Any says Ellis is now stating her religion is Hindu, even though official
documents say she's Muslim.
Under family law, which closely follows religious custom in Indonesia, if a
Muslim woman is convicted of her husband's murder, she loses her rights to
benefit from it.
"If Noor thinks 'I killed, I've been punished, but my inheritance rights
remain', well that's not possible," Ms Any told AAP.
"We have prepared for that.
"As soon as the court states Noor is guilty of killing her husband, we will
take legal measures that will ensure Noor will not get even the smallest bit of
Bob's fortune."
Ms Any says she's confident Mr Ellis's Perth-based sons Peter and John will be
well provided for.
The young men say they will support the court's decision if it sentences their
mother to death for the crime, because they just want justice done.
Peter Ellis learned about his father's death via the internet, and hopes to be
better informed about the trial process as it continues.
Police allege Noor Ellis paid a man known as Aril, the boyfriend of her maid,
$A14,000 to kill Mr Ellis. They allege Aril and four others slashed Mr Ellis'
throat in the kitchen of his villa while his wife was in another room. The
trial last week heard from a friend of Noor Ellis who lent her the money to pay
the killer.
Ni Luh Yoskana Darmada thought the Rp 50 million was to buy ceramics for Ellis'
hotel development.
"I was terrified," she told the court.
"A week after she borrowed the money the police came."
Police officer Wayan Sujana told the court that when he informed Ellis that her
husband's body had been found, her expression was "like that of a sick person".
"The defendant said she knew nothing of the incident," he said.
Police then examined the maid's text messages and found one from Aril that
said: "Danger, I just want to go back home".
He was caught trying to flee to his native island of Sumba.
Ellis' trial resumes in Bali on Wednesday.
(source: sbs.au.com)
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