(September 22, 2015 at 12:04 pm)pocaracas Wrote: Wow, king... what a life-story you have for your grandkids! O.o
Your family wants you to tell the court something about what happened way back... the system would like your input as well. Why fight it?
You're already reliving it, ever since you first heard about the reopening of the case, so it's not the telling the tale in court that will change much, is it?
On the other hand, one could delve into the whole "what is justice?" problem and think that this man, now in his 60's or 70's, has had his life, he's almost ready to meet his maker... he's probably not fit to harm anyone else in society... so what's the point in having some justice and putting him away? Will he learn anything from such punishment? I'd say he already has learned, judging by the look of fear that you've described was on his face, when you were 19.
Did he do that thing again? Is he a danger to society? Is he likely to repeat that behavior?
Is it justice to lock him up?
Sure, the revenge factor may feel good to your family... but is it fair, after so long has passed? After you, the person who was hurt the most, have forgiven him? Is it just?
This kind of justice, to me, sounds more like revenge... the dish best served cold... like the case.
This was precisely how I felt. It seemed like vengeance and not justice. But I reason it like this. This man broke the law and took advantage of three innocent kids. He was never served his day in court for a multitude of reasons. Justice was never given an opportunity to be served. Though yes, I personally forgave him, others who were harmed directly or indirectly by his actions have not and have not seen the justice system given an opportunity to serve its purpose. Their motives may indeed be vengeance, but it can still be classified as justice.
We are not made happy by what we acquire but by what we appreciate.
