Revolutionaries freed from prison

ST. GEORGES, Grenada-THREE men who participated in the 1979-83 Grenada Revolution and were convicted in relation to the murder of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop were released from prison yesterday (Dec. 18).

The sentences of revolution leaders Hudson Austin, Colville ‘Kamau’ Mc Barnette and John ‘Chalkie’ Ventour were remitted after a meeting of the Mercy Committee, as provided by the Grenada Constitution, advised the Governor General to do as such.

The Constitution states in section 73 that the Committee consisted of a Minister appointed by the Governor General, the Attorney-General, the Chief Medical Officer and three other members appointed by the Governor General.

According to a release from the government, “the Chairperson of the Mercy Committee, Hon. Glynis Roberts, pursuant to the decision of the Mercy Committee… advised Governor General, H.E. Carlyle Glean, to remit the balance of the sentences of Austin, Mc Barnette and Ventour, which would therefore cause them to be released immediately”.

The decision to release the men came after His Lordship Justice Francis Belle advised a reassessment of the prison terms on July 25th, 2007.

Belle advised the court in his hearing that “defendant Hudson Austin should be considered for special remission for his exemplary conduct and service to the prison and to the Grenadian community for the role he played in rebuilding the prison after the passage of Hurricane Ivan”.

The Justice also advised a review of Ventour and Mc Barnette’s sentences within six and twelve months, respectively, due to health issues.

With the expedition of Belle’s advisements in his ruling, all three men were released free of charge from Richmond Hill Prison early yesterday.  ~~Adz:Right~~