A few years ago, I heard of a couple of teens who had recently graduated from high school were shot several times in their back. I later found out the circumstances that lead to their fate. The teens gave a ride to an individual who needed transportation to a nearby location. The individual sat in the back seat of the vehicle. The individual within a few minutes after getting into the vehicle began to shoot both the individuals in the front seats. This horrific event was televised on the news and written in the local newspaper. One of the victims had to be air-flighted for help. That victim eventually went to another state to obtain special surgery and help for multiple wounds throughout their body. Sadly, this victim became a quadriplegic. That means that this victim was not able to use their hands, legs, or feet. They could not walk; they could not feed themselves with their hands. This is a substantial loss. Can you imagine the loss of this teenage victim. We are grateful for their life, however the tragedy of not being able to use their body in normal ways is beyond depressing.
We had the opportunity to be an advocate with one of the parents of the victims. The parent was outraged at the justice system.
The system appeared to allow leniency on the part of the shooter. The shooter did not have a former criminal record. No traffic violations, no drug charges and no violent crimes on the records with the justice system.
The shooter's family was able to raise bail, so the shooter stayed in his home and functioned as usual, even though he had shot two people and nearly killed them both. This is where "innocent until proven guilty comes in".
As much as I can appreciate this part of the law, I too, am angry when the victims are eyewitnesses and are able to identify the criminal who literally broke the law and almost killed the victims. I too, am confused at the fact the criminal system allowed this alleged guilty party to go home when the bail amount was paid, to continue living life as usual, when the victims are trying to survive the brutal crime that almost killed them.
Meanwhile one of the victims was fighting for their life. They were in a hospital out of town for several months as they suffered with surgeons removing the bullets and repairing their body as much as possible to keep them alive.
They endured multiple surgeries, multiple medicines and multiple doctors trying to figure out ways to help them get repaired both physically and mentally. Obviously, their life would never be the same. The family she belongs to would never be the same either. The parent of the victim was extremely angry because there appeared to be more concern for the shooter than her child which was the victim of this very violent crime.
We were able to get a meeting with the DA so that the parent could share their concerns. The DA was gracious and assured the parent that his department would do everything in his power to execute justice for this case.
As a representative for the parent, I attended the trial with the family. I appreciated the judge who compelled the defendant to face the family whose lives had been irrevocably altered. The judge sentenced him to several years in prison. The judge requested one of the victims, who was in a modified wheelchair, to testify in court. This courageous victim did speak during the trial. The victim was young, frightened, and still traumatized from their harrowing experience that nearly cost them their life. The injuries resulted in permanent damage, preventing them from ever leading a normal life, which might have included marriage, children, a job, and the opportunity to pursue the American dream. As the victim spoke in the courtroom with a soft, trembling voice, they managed to respond to the attorneys' questions. The victim won the hearts of everyone present, including the judge. I am grateful the victim could speak for themselves despite the fear and intimidation of being in a courtroom. Justice was served, but not to the extent that satisfied the parent.
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