Fiji News From Around The World

George Speight’s Path to Mercy: What’s Next?

Spread the love

Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Jalesi Nakarawa stated that there are no legal obstacles preventing George Speight from applying for a mercy plea. Speight, a key figure in the 2000 coup, along with former Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit leader Shane Stevens, was among seven individuals who received a Presidential Pardon last Thursday.

Speight was charged with treason and, after pleading guilty in 2001, received a death sentence that was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002. He has now served 24 years, one month, and 23 days, totaling 8,820 days, in custody, including time on Nukulau Island and at the Naboro Corrections Complex. He has no prior convictions.

“Discussions about Speight being pardoned twice are misleading. Legally, there is nothing that prevents him from seeking mercy,” Nakarawa explained. He clarified that the circumstances surrounding the initial pardon differed, as it was not a direct application from Speight but related to legal adjustments stemming from the death penalty’s pending abolition at the time.

“The Cabinet had approved the abolition, but it had not yet reached Parliament, leading the court to rule in a legal grey area,” he added, correcting the misconception that Speight was pardoned on two separate occasions. The ultimate decision regarding clemency rests with the Mercy Commission.

Nakarawa noted that both Speight and Stevens reacted with emotion upon learning of their pardons. “They expressed a strong desire to rebuild their lives and discussed plans for starting businesses, reflecting on the lessons they learned during their imprisonment,” he said. “They were understandably emotional and thrilled, given the long time they’ve spent incarcerated.”

He urged the public to recognize the challenges of their responsibilities, emphasizing that decisions are made in accordance with the law, despite varying public opinions.

Latest News

Search the website