So Much... yet so Little... has happened!
- Real Action Arts
- May 5, 2019
- 2 min read
We went off-line at the Judge's request. It was paramount to have a clean jury. Sorry for the gap. But.... good news - KTVA is now authorized to live stream from now on. Defendant #2 has been found guilty on all nine charges. The next trial is for the remaining two defendants and it has been moved to Fairbanks - with the jury selection starting Aug 26, 2019.
Here are some of the links to update you:
Of interest: The Alaska Legislature is still goofing off with the super love-the-criminals SB91 laws and discriminate statistics. We totally want a safer community with people coming out of prisons being good citizens. We support programs and inmate-led programs that support rehab, re entry, prison industry, etc... But, without laws that support less crime, we are simply creating more victims. We want to reduce crime and prevent crime. Yet, crime has continued to rise so many lives are impacted and hearts are broken.
Let's bring attention to a recent appellate decision that affects cases across Alaska... Check it out: https://www.ktva.com/story/40012892/court-of-appeals-throws-out-sentence-of-man-convicted-of-killing-teens-in-drunk-driving-crash
Please understand the Alaska Constitution has statutes regarding victims' rights. https://ovr.akleg.gov/
This decision is a slap in the face. It has affected our case. We already decided not to have a video at sentencing because we knew that "a" case had been appealed because of a video. The slap? Victims get ~ 15 minutes or so at sentencing for a victim impact statement. In the Graham case, there were two victims, two 15-year olds - so, there was about 30 minutes of "emotional" video with music. Hello, but we, the family of the one(s) who were killed, live with these emotions the rest of our lives. You mean to say that the Court/Judge can't discern and make decisions with due diligence for a sentence that is well within the allowable window? The court is not able to deal with these emotions for a short few minutes? While we live with them forever?
Due process is so important to ensure we convict the guilty.... It is all about the criminal.... the entire justice process.… and when it finally comes to a point where the victims can express the impact - whammy. Nope...
Please send your thoughts on this, because it is important. There are a few other controversial movements happening as well... but, let's hold off for a bit while we deal with this. Thank you for your interest!
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