Leader of government business Dr Roodal Moonilal yesterday sent out a warning to murderers that the hangman's noose is close by and soon convicted killers will be unable to live out their natural lives. Moonilal made the declaration after the death of Daniel Guerra, 8, who relatives believe was abducted from his Bedeau Street, Gasparillo, home and flung into the Tarouba River where he drowned. In an interview yesterday, Moonilal said in Parliament today, the Government would be piloting a constitutional amendment to the Capital Offences Bill. He said he hoped to have consensus between the Opposition and Government when the bill is laid in the House.
"Little Daniel's death is an unspeakable tragedy," he said. "When the Prime Minister visited the family yesterday, she wept, not just for the family's loss, but for the nation. "The society is expressing outrage at this crime and when the Parliament meets, I am hoping that Parliament will also express outrage by supporting the amendment." Moonilal said once the Bill was amended, the State would be able to resume execution by hanging. "We debated the bill last Friday and there are some amendments that we want to raise," he said. "Tomorrow (today), I am hoping to conclude and pass the legislation that will ensure that the next time anyone commits a murder, they are secure in the knowledge that they will not live out the rest of their natural life." Questioned about the state of the Children's Act which had not yet been brought to Parliament, Moonilal explained that the legislation was being reviewed. "The Children's Act is in the last stages and it will be laid in Parliament in a few weeks time," he promised.