WHERE do we begin? There's only one topic of conversation among all right-thinking residents of Bermuda this week. And that's the tragic incident that took place on the evening of Saturday, August 9 which resulted in the death of King Solomon Kellon DeVent Hill. That's right, I went to the records and found his full, accurate, Christian name; the brother deserves at least that. How's that for thorough reporting? As usual, I digress.

I think it is fair to say that since news of this killing broke, especially in the 48 hours immediately following the young man's death, this entire country has been in a solemn, melancholy mourning period.

Some people may wonder what DJ LT's perspective on this matter. Well, you'll have to wait until after the Top 20 to find out.

Holding at number one is Heaven Sent by Keyshia Cole.

Improving to number two is Chris Brown's new single, Take You Down.

Up to number three an interesting track, I Luv Your Girl by an up-and-coming artist, The-Dream.

Jumping number four is a former essential new tune, Alicia Keys' Teenage Love Affair.

Falling to number five is a former essential new track, Bust It Baby Part 2 by Plies featuring Ne-Yo.

Improving to number six it's A Milli by L'il Wayne and up to number seven is Trey Songz' new hit, entitled Last Time.

Slipping to number eight is a former essential new banger, No Air, the new hit by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown.

Improving to number nine is Love Is Wicked (Soca Remix) by Brick and Lace featuring Kess.

Advancing to number ten is another soca anthem, Defence (the anthem) by Machel Montano featuring L'il Jon and Pitbull.

Falling to number 11 is a former essential new track, Lollipop by L'il Wayne featuring Static Major.

Tumbling to number 12 is The Way That I Love You by Ashanti.

Up to number 13 is Take A Bow by one of the hottest pop divas around, Rihanna.

Climbing to number 14 is Put On by Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West.

Up a touch to number 15 is Fall by Kimberley Locke.

Up to number 16 is last week's essential new track, When I Grow Up by the Pussycat Dolls. These chicks are really something else and their production team is truly awesome. They produce hits.

Tumbling to the number 17 spot this week is 4 Minutes by Madonna and Justin Timberlake.

Falling to number 18 this week is the new one from Usher featuring Young Jeezy, entitled Love In This Club.

Dropping to number 19 is Touch My Body by Mariah Carey, which is hanging in the charts largely thanks to the banging dance mix.

Now, this week's essential new tune, in at number 20 is Give It To Me by Madonna. This track is hot and a monster dance track.

Now back to this week's word - what do we do about the violence? I'm taking my cue from the little island called Antigua, which I'm told recently implemented a strong piece of legislation, giving 25 years-to-life for anyone found carrying a bladed weapon. This has to be implemented in Bermuda as a matter of urgency; we owe it to ourselves, our children and our visitors.

These criminals need to have a message sent to them that will actually discourage them from carrying weapons in the first instance, and committing such terrible crimes in the second instance. Somebody must stand up and say that we will not tolerate this anymore.

The modern, softer, "let's talk about it" approach clearly is not working.

These are heinous crimes which should be matched with draconian and harsh punishment. Whenever people are making decisions about what kind of punishment should be given to a person who commit such crimes; they should ask themselves what punishment they would want given if the crime were committed against their mother, father, child or grandchild. The answer to that question is the only punishment that is fair.

I can tell you that if Kellon was my son, I would want life in prison for the guilty. That, therefore, is the only fair punishment.

You have to ask yourself if it is fair to have Kellon lose his life, but have Kellon's killers get to live their life and get out of jail after only 25 years, or less in some cases and certainly if they behave.

Also, 25 years-to-life should not mean parole for good behaviour after 15 years; that's not fair at all. People must be made to serve their full term. If an error in the trial is found to have been made; there is a process for that to be addressed.

The next part of this new legislation should be that anyone found guilty of murder or even attempted murder should be given life in prison with parole considered only after 50 years, should they live that long. The thinking is that a person who commits a murder at age 20 will be 70 years old when they are eligible for parole and they should be far less inclined to commit murders at that age.

As a minimum and as a compromise to those who argue against life in prison; I would agree to a sentence of a minimum of 35 years-to-life in prison for anyone found guilty of attempted murder or murder.

We have to send a message now. Hopefully we get back to talking to our young people, mentoring them, sitting on the wall with them, explaining to them why they should stop the thug, gang, drug lord lifestyles. They don't listen to radio or TV ads. They don't respond to phone calls. Most of them will not attend seminars. The only way you'll reach them is by going directly to the place where they live, work, sell drugs and conjure up ways to perpetuate the lifestyles they practice. Anything else is a waste of time and taxpayers' dollars and people's time.

My prayer is that justice is served. Justice for me means a man-sized punishment for the guilty, like a minimum of 35 years-to-life in prison. The fact that the guilty may be young is lost on me. They have committed an adult crime, whether they are 15, 18 or 21.

There is an old adage that if you want to act like a man you get treated like a man. You want to talk like a man, people will talk to you as if you are a man. Same for the female who is allegedly involved in this murder.

Bermuda, we need to wake up and do something. Now is the time for strong leadership - leadership that will do something decisive, effective and which will change criminals' inclination to commit such terrible and heinous crimes.

Peace ¿