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First off, I think that trying to measure whether society has become more violent or not is extremely difficult. For example, America lost more of its own citizens in its civil war than any other conflict put together the US has been involved in. Throughout history serial killers have reared their ugly heads Jack the Ripper, Gary Gilmore etc. Massacres in Rwanda, Tanzania, the Kurds in Iraq etc. However, I think that with the crush for 24 hour news these events are brought more closer to us than ever before.
However, I have a firm belief that what sets civil society apart from some of these despotic states (many of which we in the West happily sell weapons to) is that we apply due process of the law on a fair and even basis. The crux of this system for me is that everyone is entitled to a fair trial and to be judged by their peers. Whatever, Huntley and Carr have or have not done that shall be the decision of a jury that guilt is proven and judgement on them should be passed down by a jury. This would not be the case if you or I were defendents in a court in China, Iraq, Somalia, Chile etc.
I beg to differ with some comments made here in that I think that if a judgement of murder is reached in this case then Huntley would never be released. Carr has not been charged with murder at present and she will obviously face a far leaner sentence if found guilty.
I do feel though that the sentencing system is a farce. Can someone tell me what the difference is between a drunk driver who kills two young children and a sex attacker killing two children. Absolutely nothing in my book. But we all know who will get the lighter sentence because of this so called premeditation (bullsh*t) line that lawyers use.
This story leaves me feeling numb with another example of the needless waste of human life. My deepest sympathies go out to the parents, relatives and school friends of Holly and Jessica. May God bless them and let them rest in peace.
Last edited by M31 at Today at 9:12 am
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