By Shawn Seabrookes
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Everson “Blee” Mitcham, will be hanged, by the gallows, for the 2001 murder of Vernal Nisbett, sometime next week, between 18th-22nd June. The hanging would be on the eve of the sixth anniversary of Mitcham’s sentencing.
Other unconfirmed reports state that his appeal to the Caribbean Court of Appeal or the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was turned down, clearing the way for his execution by the gallows.
Mitcham was sentenced to death on June 26th, 2001, by Justice Davidson Baptiste. His co-accused, Vincent Fahie and Patrice Matthew, were sentenced to life in prison.
An appeal was launched in 2004 by the appellants’ Lawyer, Dr. Henry Bowne, which called for the dropping of the murder charges and the consideration of manslaughter.
Despite Dr. Browne’s arguments, Justice Baptiste ruled that the death sentence against Mitcham, and the life sentences against his co-accused, stand.
After that, an appeal was launched to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). ~~Adz:Right~~
Mitcham and his co-accused tried to rob barbecue chicken vendor, Arlene Fleming, on the top of Marshall Alley, which meets Cayon Street, on 3rd February 2001. Vernal Nisbett tried to stop the robbery and was fired upon and killed in the process.
This would be the first hanging in the Federation since 1998 - the last being that of David Wilson.
Initial response to the unconfirmed reports of the upcoming hanging have been quite phenomenal, as residents are voicing their wariness of the recent increase in gun related crimes, which has left two young men dead.
Residents are hoping that this would serve not only as a warning to criminals that the general speculation that the Federation had stopped hangings was false, but would also help to curb criminal activity.“Yeah man they need to hang some of them for true because they need to send a message to them criminals. They really getting out of hand and they need to pay. If you do the crime, you must be able to face the consequences,” noted a resident who was visibly concerned about the increase in criminal activity.
To date, there have been seven murders in the Federation, for 2007.
