By FRANCIS JOSEPH
Rudolph Hall was a member of the famous “Grenada 17” of the 1980s. Fourteen of the 17, were members of the Grenada Revolutionary Government who were responsible for the murders of then Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and others.
But Hall was lumped into that group as prisoners whose sentences were commuted to life imprisonment in 1991.
Hall, who was convicted of double murder in 1988, has been released from prison in Grenada after having his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 1991.
He was part of a group of prisoners known as the Grenada 17, whose death sentences were commuted in 1991 by the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. This group included 14 members of the former Grenadian government and three soldiers convicted in connection with the murders of then Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and members of his cabinet in 1983.
On March 16, 1988, Hall, who was 23 at the time, encountered Benson Williams, 22, and Diane Marshall, 19, in a vehicle. He allegedly tried to initiate a sexual encounter with Marshall, and when she refused, he fired multiple shots into the car, injuring both individuals. Williams died three days later, followed by Marshall six days after that.
Hall has expressed remorse for the pain and suffering his actions caused, accepting full responsibility for them. He acknowledged that nothing he says or does can undo the harm done or restore lost lives. He reflected on how nearly four decades in custody have changed him.
Entering prison as a young man, he has now spent most of his adult life incarcerated. He stated that this experience has taught him patience, humility, and the value of human life. Hall also mentioned his efforts during his time in prison to work diligently, respect prison authorities, and serve as a positive influence on other inmates.
THE KILLINGS
On March 16, 1988, at about 11 am, Hall then aged 23, had an unlawful firearm with nine bullets, and near the airstrip came upon Benson Williams, aged 22, and Diane Marshall, aged 19, in a car engaged in sexual activity. Hall said he wanted to have sex, showing the gun, Benson said he would agree, Diane did not agree, Benson offered Hall $20 it seems to go away, and Diane then hurriedly got into the driver’s seat to drive off.
At this point, standing close to the right of the car, Hall fired five bullets into the car at the couple, and ran off, hiding the gun in a hole he dug at 5 am next day. Benson later died from gunshot injuries on March 19, 1988, and Diane on March 22, 1988. Hall had been in prison since March 28, 1988. On July 4, 1988, Hall was convicted by jury of the murder of both Benson and Diane and received automatic sentence of death, by hanging, as was in practice then the application of law.
His appeal against conviction and sentence was later dismissed by the Court of Appeal on May 2, 1989. On September 9, 1991, his sentence of death was commuted to life imprisonment by then Governor General Sir Paul Scoon, exercising powers of mercy under Section 72 Constitution, the warrant of commutation saying:
“Rudolph Hall is given a pardon in respect of the said conviction on condition that the said Rudolph Hall shall be kept in custody to hard labour for the remainder of his natural life and be confined in the Richmond Hill prison as her Majesty’s Governor General shall from time to time direct.”
On December 20, 2013, the prison review committee recommended Hall for release. On January 6, 2014, the then Prime Minister and Minister for National Security objected, so that Hall was not released. During his 37 years, Hall has committed various infractions of the prison rules recorded in 1996, 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2016, was active in sporting activities, has worked on the prison farm, in the canteen, and in prison administration, while also attending various rehabilitation courses.
