On Tuesday 16th December, 2008, the Mercy Committee, duly constituted under section 73 of the Grenada Constitution met to consider, pursuant to the judgment of Justice Francis Bell on the 25th July 2007, the sentences of Hudson Austin, Colville ‘Kamau’ Mc Barnett and John ‘Chalkie’ Ventour. The three were among 17 former leaders of the 1979-83 Grenada Revolution and Peoples Revolutionary Government, who were found guilty of the death of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and others on Fort Rupert on October 19th 1983. The Chairperson of the Mercy Committee, Hon. Glynis Roberts, pursuant to the decision of the Mercy Committee and in accordance with section 72 (2) of the Grenada Constitution, 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 Governor General on Wednesday 17th December 2008, duly issued documents remitting the balance of each respective sentence, allowing for the release of Austin, Mc Barnette and Ventour the same day. Prison reports show all three men have given leadership to the prison population during their incarceration at Richmond Hill. All three men will be released today Thursday 18th December, 2008. In the re-sentencing judgment, the learned Justice Bell, sentenced each to 40 years imprisonment but recommended 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 and the assistance to the prison generally in the areas of building and maintenance. In his ruling on John Ventour, who suffers from prostate cancer, Justice Bell recommended “a Prison Board review within six months or as recommended by the medical officer assigned to the prison in light of his health issues.” The learned Justice Bell also “recommended that there be a board review of the sentence of Colville Mc Barnette within 12 months or as recommended by the medical officer assigned to the prison in light of his health issues.” The previous administration did not pay heed to Justice Bell’s recommendations and it was imperative that this administration give effect to the learned judge’s counsel. Inside Grenada News