12/13/2004 Entry: "Justice Served, Justice Denied"
Posted by Maynard @ 03:58 PM MST

Justice Served, Justice Denied

So Scott Peterson has been found not only guilty of two murders but worthy in California of death. The judge has the opportunity to downgrade the sentence to life behind bars but at this point that decision has not been made. Justice in California has been recommended but not served. Given the amount of litigation and appeal that a death penalty sentence incurs, this dish likely won't be served until it is very cold.

That does nothing to help Laci or Connor. But nothing short of resurrection could.

Don't think that I would have cast my jury vote a different way - my views on the death penalty have been previously published. I think he did it and I think he deserves death, so as to deter others from murder. The sentence should be carried out quickly, but given this is California I think it won't be.

California is such an unusual state. It seems that if you can afford a high priced lawyer you can get away with just about anything, if you are willing to accept the shame of your crime that is given out in ever-decreasing amounts. My how things have changed - 50 years ago a black man had an almost certain guarantee of being killed for murdering someone. Now, as the ten year anniversary of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman's death approaches, the parallels between today's case and the Simpson case strike me as most incredible.

A guy flees from two murders and is caught mid-escape. Put on trial, he hires a high-profile, high-priced attorney who defends him in the middle of the very public, very hyped trial. The only difference is that one defendant was able to get away and the other was not. Oh, and the one that got off is black.

I'm willing to assume the best about California - that they are getting better at dispensing justice, not that they are racist against white defendants. I just wonder if they are willing to follow through with justice for Mrs. Peterson and for future Mrs. Simpsons & Mr. Goldmans.

If only Nicole Simpson could talk...

Add A New Comment

Name

E-Mail (optional)

Homepage (optional)

Comments