TNAG-0720-FCO40-918-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1978 — Page 110

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RACIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE RECENT CASES IN BERMUDA

There is no truth in the suggestion that the death

sentences would not have been carried out if the murderers

had been white. Those whose capital sentences have been

commuted and their victims have included black and white

Bermudians. The last Bermudian to be executed (in 1943)

before the recent executions was white.

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE RETENTION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN

BERMUDA

The Bermuda House of Assembly, which is elected by

universal adult suffrage, decided by a majority of

25 to 9 in a free vote in 1975 to retain capital punishment.

It has always been open to the Assembly to consider the

matter again should they wish to do so and they have

recently appointed a Select Committee to look into the

question.

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