By Tracey Khan – Drakes
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Attorney-at-Law and President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), Ronald Burch-Smith has described the Presidential pardon for child killer, 39– year -old Ravindra Deo as ‘disturbing.’
His comment follows a decision by former President Donald Ramotar to grant the presidential pardon to Deo, who was serving a life imprisonment sentence for killing 8 – year-old Vishnu Bhim of Annandale East Coast Demerara in 1994.
Prior to this sentence, Deo was given the death penalty, which was later commuted to a life sentence.
The child killer was just 19 – years – old when he kidnapped and murdered the 8 year-old who was on his way home from school. He had reportedly demanded a ransom of $1M.
Burch –Smith, in expressing his personal views, told iNews during an interview that Ramotar as President was entitled to issue a presidential pardon as he sees fit; however such a move should not have been taken in isolation to what is morally correct.
He pointed out that government took a policy decision not to carry out the death penalty even though it remains law in Guyana.
![Ravindra Deo. [Photo taken from Stabroek News]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ravindra-Deo.jpg)
He further noted that for a pardon to take place, the Parole Board would normally take a number of factors into consideration.
“The Parole Board usually invite the victims’ family to say anything if they want to be heard…the Parole Board also takes into account the length of punishment, the heinousness of the crime, the possibility of rehabilitation, the victims’ families, societies interest and the former President has just thrown all of that out.”
He is now questioning the function of the Board, accusing the former President of showing absolute disregard for its mandate.
Making the basis for his argument, he highlighted the fact that between 12-15 convicts, who are serving life imprisonment, have been jailed longer when compared to Deo and continues to be denied parole by the Board.
“The former President could single out this man who has not served as long sentence as many other persons, no clear rule of discretion, it’s not clear if there is anything mitigating.
![Former President, Donald Ramotar. [iNews' Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Ramotar.jpg)
He is also questioning what moral justification Ramotar will provide the Guyanese people now that the matter continues to take center stage.
Under Article 188 1 (A) of the Constitution, the President has the power to grant any person concerned in or convicted of any offence under the law of Guyana a pardon either free or subject to lawful condition.
Efforts made by iNews to contact Ramotar on this issue proved futile.
Bhim was the only child of his parents, who have since migrated to the United States. The parents, Heeralall and Chaimwatie Bhim are reportedly in a state of shock and disbelief following the former President’s decision.
Following the child’s murder, Deo was arrested in America Street, on December 1, 1994. He then led detectives to the boy’s body which was bound gagged and battered in the backdam at La Bonne Intention.
Jagdeo pardoned Benschop yes, did he murder anyone, much less an innocent child. There can be no comparison here. Can this decision be rescinded .
SOME PEOPLE—-SOME ORGANIZATIONS RESPECTS AND MOURN SOME DEAD MORE THAN SOME OTHERS..LIKE TAKE FOR INSTANCE THE GUYANA BAR ASSOCIATION….THEY NEVER MOURNED THE SLAUGHTERS OF BABIES IN THEIR BEDS AT LUSIGNAN..THEY NEVER CALLED FOR HEADS TO ROLL WHEN A WELL KNOWN CRIMINAL LAWYER GOT TOGETHER WITH HIS JURY FOREMAN BUDDY AND POOF THE KILLERS WALKED FREE…
This criminal should not walk the earth in peace, he must be a phantom leader to do the dorty work of the ???/ c
Yes Jagdeo pardon a pnc man.
Don’t forget The people who die trying to save the ballot box what integrity and honesty
Mr Granger have
SO MUCH FOR HONESTY, INTEGRITY, MORALITY ,JUSTICE, I AM SO GLAD HE IS NOT PRESIDENT OF THIS COUNTRY, I SHARE THE PAIN OF THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD, BUT THIS NEED TO BE LOOKED IN TO IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW WHO THIS MURDERER IS RELATED TO .
Moral compass. What is wrong with Burch-Smith? He actually believes Ramotar knows what a moral compass is let alone knowing what it means to have one? Maya Angelou said: “When people show you who they are, believe them”. Ramotar has shown us repeatedly who he is and I for one believe him.
How would he feel if that was his little Angel?
I smell a rat…..a stinking rat!! Will he be a SLEEPER until needed? THIS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY!!
Jagdeo pardon benschop
I wonder the same thing, the first time i heard this story is about a year ago from elderly woman who happens to be the aunt of the victim and i’m speechless because this woman is also a close relative of one of the Ministers who conceded which means this child is a very close relative of this Minister too, is this done spitefully ? i wonder SMH SAD JUST SAD
Revoke
this at once!
For everything under the sun there is a purpose, I believe the purpose for this pardon needs to be investigated, especially coming at the time it did, I wonder if Mr Ramotar would have pardoned him if he was re-elected president.