Crime & Criminals
“Every society gets the type of criminal it deserves.” – Senator Robert F. Kennedy
“A crime is a crime, whether committed by one person or thousands.” – Yoko Ono
If I were to say Billy the Kid or Jesse James, you would think of the Wild West. If I said Pretty Boy Floyd and John Dillinger, you would think of the Depression Era. If I said Charles Manson and Richard Nixon, you would think of when the 1960s somehow turned into the '70s. If I said school shootings, you'd know. If I said January 6 ….. well, you know.
Like music, clothing styles, wars, and sports, criminals and crime define how various eras are remembered. Of course, there are variables. While “theft” is obviously wrong, it depends upon what the ruling class defines as theft. It's found in the differences between America's Golden Age and the Gilded Age that followed. Thus, while many of us understand that January 6 was absolutely criminal, the current administration insists it was patriotic.
While the current level of criminality in this administration is not the root cause of the increase in the public's interest in “true crime,” there are potential advantages to their intersection. By watching actual trials and podcasts, and participating in internet discussion groups, people gain insight into how the American justice system actually works. The criminal justice system may be the least understood, including an often unrealistic view of Constitutional Rights.
In the case of Brian Kohberger, there really aren't any injustices beyond the brutal crime itself. He butchered four college students at the University of Idaho. One of my west coast brother's daughter had recently graduated, and like everyone, he found this case extremely upsetting. I was able to tell him they were closing in on the freak who murdered these young adults, based on information from a person with a top true crime pod cast, who I trade information with.
Perhaps the biggest issue in the case is does the state execute him? There are a wide range of opinions on the case. The freak was going for his PhD in criminal science. He was fascinated with murderers, which did not mix well with his incel frustrations.
The next case involves the murder of the Florida State University of Law professor Dan Markel. In my opinion, Markel's career might well have seen him on the US Supreme Court. But his ex-wife wanted to move their children closer to her parents and brother. Thus far, two hit men, a go-between, and the brother have been convicted of the murder. The mother is getting set to go on trial. Two things stand out to me: an extraordinarily talented prosecutor, and how one family can justify murdering their ex-son/brother-in-law so the ex-wife can move the boys closer.
The third case is going on now. It is Karen Read's re-trial for the murder of her boyfriend. The case is important for several reasons, including the defense team. Second. The police investigation was so weak – and at times corrupt – that even if she did kill him, the prosecutor is incapable of going beyond a reasonable doubt. The lead detective was fired after a State Police review. He was forced to read a series of sexist e-mails the last trial, showing an extreme bias. They including his noting he had searched for nude photos on Read's phone, calling her a c_nt, and saying he wanted her to take her own life.
The lawn the boyfriend's body was found on was a cop, and friends with the lead investigator. He is a former boxer, with a documented history of punching people. There were others at his house that night, including a federal officer who is on film challenging the boyfriend to fight earlier in a bar. The DoJ/FBI had an investigation that showed Ms. Read did not kill him.
Call it speculation, but I suspect the federal investigation was part of something larger around Boston. This case shows how one family with numerous police officers in it, and police friends, can influence the justice system in an unhealthy way.
I know, I know …. it is hard to believe there could be police corruption around Boston. I so wish our friend Will was still here to talk about this.
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