My December to Remember: Day Nine
News: Lawsuit alleges Jay-Z raped a 13-year-old girl with Diddy at a 2000s VMAs after party.
Daniel Penny jury finds him not guilty on lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide.
26-year-old Maryland resident named as “person of interest” in Manhattan CEO shooting, was taken into custody in a PA McDonalds.
TikTok files emergency pause of law set to ban it if it can’t find a U.S. buyer.
Years ago, when I was working at Fox’s affiliate service and handling the west coast stations, I got relatively invested in the Jodi Arias case. It was the first time I had really sat down to view a nationally-televised trial, and unfortunately in the news world, salaciousness sells. In retrospect, I found myself wanting to watch because I related to the case: scorned woman obsessed with a man who didn’t want her as a wife but wanted her in other ways. I’m sure a lot of women know what that’s like, yet the great majority of us know enough to understand that just because someone breaks your heart, it gives you zero excuse to end their life. That heinous action is in absolutely no one’s jurisdiction, despite what weirdos online have been celebrating for a week.
Arias was of course found guilty; the evidence against her was overwhelming and her story made no sense. Lady Justice had no other recourse other than to deliver a fatal blow of her own: find Arias guilty of first-degree murder, and sentence her to life in prison with no possibility of parole. This was the right choice, despite my reservations that she could honestly get away with her crimes. But that was me in 2013 when my moral compass was a bit wobbly on the direction justice should take. Despite miscarriages of it still going on today, I think you’ll see a lot more correct rulings win out. We unfortunately have to parse out what “correct” means to some people.
What was really striking me about the Jodi Arias case, even all the way back then, was how many people thought she was innocent. I saw the disparaging comments about her victim Travis Alexander, and how anyone on the side of the prosecutor was nothing more than a “knuckle-dragger.” I found it so bizarre to witness. I was trying to put myself in the headspace where you could defend a murderer like that. I know due process means everyone has their day in court, and while I can understand why defense lawyers do what they do, I do not think I could successfully do the same. I need to tell the truth of what actually happened, not concoct a story to save my own ass. And it’s high time I realize this feeling is not as pervasive as I think.
I don’t celebrate death, anyone’s death, no matter the circumstances. I believe it’s no one’s right to terminate another’s life, and I won’t revel in it whatsoever. But even I know our justice system needs a facelift. It’s only natural for all of us to want to see the law work as intended. No under-the-table deals, improper persecutions, or judges ruling on politics instead of the legal process. I hope to see that day of retribution emerge, along with the raising of the moral bar to where I don’t lose faith in humanity with each subsequent X post.
All we’re seeing right now is one weird showcasing of the human condition over and over again. The light, dark, and grey morality is ever present. It’s just a matter of what we choose to show to the world. Maybe this is a chance for all of us to either come back down to earth or crawl up toward the light and really find our even playing field again. I understand those who see the lost cause in trying to reason with some people, but I have to imagine the majority could be on board with this plan. Integrity and truth can win out if we let it.
Justice is blind. She doesn’t have to be a c*nt, too.
