When Protecting Criminals’ Rights Comes at the Expense of Victims

RealClear Politics ^ | 11/12/22 | Nikki Goeser and John Lott

[VictimsRightsPro2a]

It took four years and nine months before Nicolas Cruz was finally sentenced for the murder of seventeen people in the horrific Parkland massacre.

So much of the legal system focuses on fairness to the criminal; but the damage to the victims and their families as they wait for trial is tremendous. Those who have to testify or give victim impact statements must continually think about what they will say at trial. There is also uncertainty about the verdict and whether the murderer will be punished.

In the Parkland case, the victims were denied the closure of Cruz receiving the death penalty.

We have seen the consequences of trial delays firsthand. Nikki Goeser, the co-author here, helplessly witnessed her husband, Ben, murdered in front of her by her stalker on April 2, 2009. The murderer had long been obsessed with her. Nor was there any doubt about who the murderer was. Hank Wise shot her husband to death in front of 50 witnesses and was filmed on a restaurant’s security video. Incredibly, Nikki is still dealing with the legal fallout from that case. The murderer has continued stalking her, and a new trial, originally scheduled for the third attempt on Nov. 8, now won’t occur until January 2023.

[shoff]

Just like in the 80’s. When criminals were not a fault it was society.

[Spok]

Remember when The Godfather chastised Bonasera, the undertaker, for not coming to him first when he sought justice. Was he right or wrong? Comments?