Golding considers Witter’s proposal

Justice Minister Mark Golding says his legal reform department is examining a suggestion made by the Public Defender that laws be enacted to specifically deal with the killing of pregnant women.

Earl Witter wrote to Golding arguing that the country’s laws were not stern enough to combat murders involving expectant mothers.

Last week, three pregnant women were killed in six days.

The Public Defender believes this situation is untenable and unacceptable.

Today, Golding said he has received Witter’s letter and has forwarded it for recommendations.

Golding said he would be willing to go to Cabinet to get approval for legislation to be prepared if such a recommendation is made by his team.

Witter said research shows that Jamaica’s common law requires that the murder victim be what is termed a reasonable creature in being.

A child in the womb or even in the process of being born does not fall into this category.

Witter wants Jamaica to go the route of the United Kingdom, where the Infant Life Preservation Act of 1929 deals specifically with the killing of unborn children.

radio@gleanerjm.com