40 Minutes

[catbyte]

Last October I wrote a eulogy to my friend who was murdered on or about September 20, 2012. Here's the original post:

http://sync.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=1473784

GRPD caught the two perpetrators within days and their trials began early last week. Prosecutors decided to try them simultaneously with individual juries & courtrooms down the hall from one another. The verdict for one came in last Friday but was sealed until the other jury had reached a verdict. I went to court for closing arguments yesterday and the wait was on. We were just about to get something to drink at the hot dog stand across the street when the bailiff announced that the jury had reached a verdict. All of 40 minutes had passed. The prosecutor said that he's never seen a jury come back that fast; one of the defense attorneys said that this case was particularly difficult to defend because "the victim was such a nice guy. All he did his whole life was help people, even one of the defendants."

Both defendants were convicted of First Degree Murder which, in Michigan, carries an automatic sentence of life without parole. So these two pieces of crap murdered my friend even more slowly, brutally, and cruelly than we had originally thought will now spend every day for the rest of their lives behind bars all for Z's car that they drove for 2 days and his ATM card--they never could access a penny--Z must have given them the wrong PIN. Good for you, Z.

I guess I should be happy, but I'm just sort of numb and empty. I spoke to his sister last night and she feels the same way, only on a much larger scale. She did say that she hoped that now that we never have to think about these two creeps ever again, maybe we'll think of Z with more smiles than tears. I hope she's right. It will take some time for me to get over the horrific way that my friend died. They should consider themselves lucky that MI doesn't have the death penalty because it definitely would have qualified for it.

They got 'em, Z. Rest easy and I will never, ever forget you.

Diane

[alsame]

1. ...

[freshwest]

2. I hope you can hold onto the good about him. I had a friend brutally murdered, won't go into details

but it was from a car theft, too. Solved quickly as a friend turned him when he found out from the news where and how he got the car. Just for a joyride. Peace to you and all those you know who lost him.

catbyte

[Warpy]

3. I am a survivor, too

and even at the age of 16, I didn't want the guy who did the deed (and it was a vicious, bloody and slow deed) to get the easy release of death. I wanted him to live long and die in prison. I got my wish.

He was suspected in 3 other, similar murders in town.

Having him murdered by the state in my name would have made the whole thing worse, violence and murder leading to more murder.

Z is resting easy because these assholes are off the street and won't be able to do it to anyone else. As time goes on and you get used to the hurt, the good memories will crowd out the ones you have of the loss and the trial and you will remember Z the good way. Grief works like that.

As for the assholes, they'll be in cages until they're so old "freedom" will mean incarceration in a nursing home. Prison is not a nice place.

[DainBramaged]

4. Z knows, I'm sure he knows

You done him good.