Looking Out My Back Door

Bizarro World

Ever since the O.J. Simpson trial/travesty, I find it hard to have any sort of faith in the so-called justice system. In most of the trials that have attracted national (or international) attention since, I have subscribed to the Dominick Dunne credo of taking the victim's side. (His book, "Justice," is a fascinating collection of the trials he's covered for Vanity Fair. Read it.) In some cases, such as the Ted Ammon murder (Long Island, New York) that is now in the hands of the jury, it's difficult to tell who may or may not be guilty. The accused, Danny Pelosi, has nearly every low-life quality you could name. For example, his alibi the night of the murder is that he was driving around, looking for a gas station that would sell him a six-pack of beer at 2am Sunday. That hard object his sister noticed in his jacket? A metal can of marijuana. He's got more than one DWI on his record and a laundry list of other offenses against society...but is he a murderer? I couldn't tell you. Bereft of character? Absolutely.

That brings to mind another guy on trial for murder, one who has been convicted, Scott Peterson. At the time of this writing, the penalty phase of the trial has wrapped up the statements from the respective families affected by the murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, and the jury is weighing the statements made both for and against the convicted murderer. Scott Peterson's father actually had the gall to say, "This is a life worth saving," with respect to his son. Oh, really? What do you think Laci would have to say about that? (In very emotional prior testimony, her mother cried out, "Divorce is an option, not murder." How true.) Then his mother tried to paint a picture of her son as a loving, nurturing soul, whose loss would destroy their family. Sorry, lady, but I don't think your murdered grandson would ever call your son "loving" or "nurturing." It really makes my stomach turn. I know there are a lot of people who don't believe in the death penalty, and I prefer it be reserved for only the most heinous of crimes, but if this doesn't qualify, what does?

Question: How much has it cost taxpayers to support Charles Manson? What does society have to gain by his existence? When he was convicted, he was sentenced under laws that then existed that allowed the death penalty. While on Death Row, the state repealed that ultimate punishment, so he was downgraded to life (with possibility of parole, which, fortunately, has not been granted). In years since, though, the death penalty was reinstated. Why his repeal was not then subsequently repealed boggles my mind.

Question: Is O.J. still looking for the "real killers?" It appears he suspects they're golfers.

posted by Hopster @ 11:19 AM