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“It’s a joy and a feeling I can’t really explain. Just a happiness” says Wenceslaus James, the longest serving death row prisoner in Trinidad and Tobago on his release from prison in November 2023. TV host of Strictly Legal, Rondell Donawa, held an in-depth interview with Wenceslaus upon his release, sharing his gripping story of a last-minute reprieve from death…

This article was published in Trinidad and Tobago newspaper Sunshine Today,  Friday 1st December 2023. The article explores the case of Wenceslaus James, the longest serving death row prisoner in Trinidad and Tobago, who DPP helped secure the release of in November 2023.

This article was originally published in Trinidad and Tobago News Day, 17 November 2023. DANIEL KHAN, the attorney instrumental in the release of Wenceslaus James, the longest-serving prisoner on death row, said Government needs to decide on the death penalty. He made the statement to Newsday on Thursday while speaking on the five-year battle for James’ release. “This is clearly…

This article was originally published in Loop News Trinidad and Tobago, 16 November 2023. On 14 November 2023, Wenceslaus James, the longest-serving death row inmate in the country, was released by order of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago. In a release, the Death Penalty Project said Wenceslaus had been convicted for murder in 1996 and received the death sentence –…

This article was originally published in Trinidad and Tobago News Day,  17 November 2023. Pictured: Justice Devan RampersadJustice Devan Rampersad – Having spent 24 years on death row and over three decades in custody, Wenceslaus James – the longest-serving death row inmate in TT – has been released. ­ A statement from the Death Penalty Project – a legal NGO…

Longest serving death row prisoner in T&T released by High Court

Press release On 14 November 2023, Wenceslaus James, the longest serving death row inmate in the country, was released by order of the High Court of Trinidad and Tobago. Convicted for murder in 1996, Wenceslaus received the mandatory death sentence for the offence. The Death Penalty Project (DPP) worked on the case alongside UK barrister Amanda Clift-Matthews and local attorney…

The following article was originally published in both The Star,  as well as on  ICJ Kenya’s website, 9 October 2023. In Summary: “The law provides that when a person is sentenced to death, “he shall be hanged by the neck until he is dead.” The Supreme Court’s decision in Francis Karioko Muruatetu in 2017 declared the mandatory nature of the…

This article was originally published in Ghana Web, Thursday 3 August 2023. The Death Penalty Project UK has commended the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and parliament for their roles in the repeal of the death penalty from Ghana’s statute books. It will be recalled that the Parliament of Ghana on Tuesday 25 July, 2023, and Thursday July 27, 2023,…

The following statement was published by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), 3 August 2023. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends the Republic of Ghana for abolishing the death penalty for all crimes except high treason. On 25 July 2023, the Ghanaian Parliament passed two private members’ bills, the Criminal Offence (Amendment) Bill 2022 and the Armed Forces (Amendment) Bill…

The following statement was published by the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, 1 August 2023. The Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) commends the governments of Zambia and Ghana for abolishing the death penalty. This is a victory for the protection of the right to life in both Countries. According to the Death Penalty Project, Ghana is the 29th African country to abolish the death…

It joins a growing list of African countries which are turning away from capital punishment