December 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am in the midst of getting over the shock of the sentencing of Nelson Bascome Jr. I would like to say that I am appalled, and have been constantly asking myself since his sentencing, where is the justice?

I watched this young man on the news Tuesday December 9, 2003, and could not believe my eyes. He was demonstrating so much happiness and throwing finger gestures at the cameraman, I mean it was damn right disgraceful. Was this a young man who may be possibly going to jail? Was this a young man showing remorse for his actions ? you tell me? I'm not sure what I was more shocked at, his arrogance or the fact that his father's demeanour was not far off his. The smiles from both of them were contagious, take a look, everyone in the vicinity was following suite. The Minister and his son clearly went into that courtroom knowing the outcome. I am convinced! There is no way one will show up for court facing possible jail time and be so happy ... or is there?

It is sad that Mr. Bascome Jr. could not choose a better path for his life. He was a college student and had (I'm sorry, still has) endless opportunities. I did not have the "privilege" to go to college (yes, people forget what a privilege that is!) I work 9-5, attend night courses and am doing everything I can to better my education. I have a high school education and numerous certificates. I work, and all I bring home is enough to make ends meet and yes, I fall on hard times, but no one could pay me a million dollars to import drugs, or commit a crime and yet, this young man, far better off than most, blatantly imports drugs strapped to his persons and gets off with probation! I ask again, where is the justice? If that had been a "person who look like me ' they would have punished us to the fullest extend of the law!

To Assistant Justice Archibald Warner, I am disappointed in your, you did exactly what Mr. Bascome Jr. predicted, and he had the audacity to say in his pre-sentence report that "he only did the drug facility treatment to get a m ore lenient sentence from the sentencing judge!"

After being informed of this statements prior to sentencing, one would think the sentence would be even harsher for his total disrespect for the courts, and what you do, grant his wish! I am sure (judging from his actions before going in court) Mr. Bascome Jr. gave a "Kodak moment" when he heard you say "the king's son deserves justice just as much as the peasant", this is true, but was that statement necessary ? I'll be the first to say he has a right to justice, but give him what you would've given any other "Joe blow" who walked through the Airport with drugs strapped to them ? a jail term!

There is a public outcry going on, and rightly so. This was shock to a lot of people in Bermuda. I am glad to see the DPP is going to appeal ... but in the meantime, someone answer my original question ... where is the justice?