General Chat

Thanks for the explanation Gwynne. I think they should have been locked up and the key thrown away but then I think the same should apply to the majority of murderers. Jean x.

This is similar to what happened when Stephen Lawrence was murdered in London. It is despicable. I think all murderers should get life imprisonment - and life should mean LIFE. The life of their victims is cheap to murderers, so why should theirs be considered any different? If losing their freedom is the highest price they have to pay, it's a damn sight better than the 'sentence' they gave their victims and their families. >*|*<

Peter, I was explaining to Jean why the tariffs were high because she asked. If you disagree with the law as it stands then take it up with your MP. Gwynne

Evil pair. shame they can't go down for a real life sentence. Jacquie

Gwynne, Why should the sentence be different because they set out to attack someone with a black skin? Is there a different tariff for a brown skin? or a yellow skin? or a white skin? or someone who has a birthmark? All this 'racism PCness' is very wrong....!

Jean, The sentences were higher because they set out that night to kill someone with black skin. That was their only motivation. They didn't know their victim, they hadn't fallen out with him earlier in the week or had a fight in a pub. He had done nothing other than be born with the 'wrong' colour skin. It could have been anyone of another race - that's why the tariff was so high. Gwynne

My wife, who worked as a pharmacist in Liverpool Walton prison in the 70's said she hoped they put them on a wing with a number of darker skinned inmates. (Careful how I phrase this...!) Unfortunately they will be in a cosy cell, rent free, with a television, central heating and three good meals a day, all at the taxpayers expense. PS Jean you are absolutely correct in that racism has nothing to do with the sentence - murder is murder is murder. Now does this mean my (careful..) comment above is racist as well?

I believe that life should mean life for the majority of murderers. After saying that I want to ask a serious question. Why should a racist murderer get a harsher sentence than any other murderer? To me all life is precious. I am not trying to be controversial I am genuinely puzzled. Jean x.

I have no sympathy for murderers. Rest in peace Anthony x Heather

Hi All, In my opinion they should be locked up for good, I hope while in prison their cell mates are Black, I really do!! I was so very saddened by the graffiti, what sort of world are we living in,!! and more to the point what sort of society are we nurturing. This young man was a innocent victim, I was nearly in tears when his family said they forgive the people that did this, Their better people than me, Im sure I would have no forgiveness in my soul. Roxanne

I know this might seem harsh, but I hope they meet some thuggish black men on the inside.

not long enough,they should never be let out

Hi Paul, Sadly life doesn't mean life but at least the judge put a high tariff - not high enough in my opinion. Gwynne

Its a crappy sentance. it should be life.

I just cannot imagine how his mum must feel. He seemed to be a lovely boy, kind, thoughtful, hard working and then scum like that come and take his life away.

Hi David, You are so right. Children learn racism from their parents and society around them. It's dreadful that a young man as admirable as Anthony Walker should die when he had so much to offer. Society will not miss the cowards who killed him. Gwynne

I read about the grafitti Gwynne - some nice people about aren't there? The saddest thing of all is that while the actions of the murderers was extreme, it seems their attitudes weren't. These people weren't born with racism - they learned it. I do wonder if people use racist language or vocalise prejudice realise that they are often teaching their children the same because the murderers of Anthony Walker were bred from that in some way.

life should be life ....... they will still have lives after they have served their time RIP that lovely young man who now has NO life and peace to his family whose lives have been destroyed Maz. XX

Today racist graffiti appeared at the spot where Anthony was murdered. Gwynne

Barton will serve a minimum 17 years and Taylor a minimum of 23 years