I know a woman who lost her 18 year old son in June of 2006. Let me just say....Marty is a valued member of our Mini forum, and she has always shared her boys with us. Michael and Dan are her pride and joy. Anyways, in June we were all saddened to read that Michael was riding a mo-ped type motorbike when he was struck by another young man who was driving reckless. The man fled the scene, and was later found. He had two prior accidents THAT DAY, was intoxicated and had drugs in his system. He also ran a meth lab, had a past history of violence, a long line of felonies, and had shot his own father in the head.
We've lived with her...each time this man has been arrested and let loose, first holidays without Michael there with the family, and those special moments and memories that he left behind. Her family has waited a year and a half for their day in court, which will be next Tuesday. Today, she had to go to a meeting with the DA and she was told that this guy will do a maximum of 3-5 years in jail, and that's if the jury doesn't end up feeling sorry for him and letting him go scott-free. She was told that there may be a plea bargain for 6 years, if they don't end up taking it to trial. But if it does go to trial, the judge has ruled against them being able to show any pictures of Michael, or telling about what kind of boy he was...because that would prejudice the jury. Therefore, Michael's family cannot address the court or jury AT ALL. The jury will also not be told about the murderer's prior convictions, or the fact that he was intoxicated/drugged when the accident occured (he fled the scene...therefore, even though there were witnesses and he later tested positive, they can't prove he was at the exact minute of the crime). The jury will ONLY know that the murderer was driving wreckless when he struck Michael, and that he fled the scene.
What I don't understand is...this is court! It should be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It shouldn't be biased (to how it will affect the murderer and his life)...it should be based on how EVERYONE has been/will be affected. Unfortunately, Michael can't be there to speak about how it affected him...only his family is left to do that, and they aren't even being allowed the opportunity. It makes me sick! And people wonder why so many people take justice into their own hands.
Any other country treats their criminals, as just that! Only in America are criminals considered more sacred than the victim. Want to stop paying taxes/child support, get paid decent wages, and get food and housing for free? Do a crime in America! I swear to you, prison is not that bad. I had a family member who could not cope in society because he had been in prison so long. He would do crimes, just so he could go back. He had it made in there and didn't have to take responsibility for himself. It happens WAAAAY too often!
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