No trial. The judge came in to speak with us before sending us on our way. This was to have been a capital murder trial. The defendant is an accessory to the man convicted earlier this week. That murderer is receiving his sentence today–life, or the death penalty. Apparently his cohort decided it was best to plead guilty and accept a lesser sentence.
The judge made the point that we were relieved of the terrible responsibility of having to determine this man’s future. And it is a heavy load. Personally, I can make that decision, but it wouldn’t make it any easier to do.
I don’t have any trouble with the notion of putting a bad man away, especially a murderer. Rest easy in the knowledge that when the State pulls the plug, and put a murdering S.O.B.’s lights out for the last time, he won’t ever kill again.
That’s a good thing.
Comment by John — October 21, 2004 @ 12:49 am