Sometimes, wrongs are righted after all

[paragraphs]

While I've been bouncing all over the place re: the news coming from Iowa and Vermont (I don't have the links but imagine y'all have already heard), I forgot that for someone I know, today was going to be a very tough, very difficult day. I just heard some amazing news, though, that makes me very happy.

My daughter just called me. Her friend Casey was at Court today to watch a plea-bargain for the boy, her ex-boyfriend, who attacked, raped, and tried to strangle her in her own home, while her parents and sister slept upstairs. He was on probation when this occurred, he'd been stalking her for a few weeks, and he followed her home one night and ripped her apart.

Casey did all the right things when he left. She woke her parents, told them what happened, they went straight to the cops, to the hospital, filed all the reports, she endured hours of questions, and a warrant was issued for her ex-boyfriend's arrest. Casey was adamant about pressing charges. She froze when it was all happening, couldn't scream, couldn't do anything (though she scratched him), but she found her voice.

Two days later, this boy's father showed up with a hand-written apology from his son...yeah, imagine how quickly that became evidence. Good thing Casey's dad wasn't there.

He was finally arrested two weeks later. He'd missed his probation meeting--another strike against him.

Today, Casey learned that his prior conviction for which he was on probation was not a bar fight as he had told her, but for attacking a nine-year-old girl. He got probation. For attacking, and raping, a nine-year-old girl. WTF? Where is the justice in that? It wasn't justice, especially not for her.

That little girl, now almost 11--yes, not even 11--testified today for the prosecuting attorney--Casey's attorney. Her life has been one of terror because that man was still out there, free. You can imagine how that kid felt. Or maybe we can only try.

The ex--I don't even know his name, he is not worthy of a name--has now been sentenced, based on the little child's testimony, based on Casey's testimony, and the reports, breaking probation, and missing his probation meeting, to ten years in prison for rape and assault. If, when he gets out someday, he ever does anything again, he'll go away for life. He took the plea bargain because he was afraid, very very afraid, of what a jury would do to him. I can just imagine.

This boy is 22 years old.

Casey is 18, the little girl almost 11, and she told Casey that this was the best day of her life.

Carolyn

Comments

[momebie.livejournal.com]

A hand-written apology. I just. Ugh. The idea of that makes me so angry I can't see straight. My throat closed up reading all of that, but I am so, so happy for Casey and the girl that that douchebag is going to get what he deserves.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I know I know I know...Casey had no idea until today about the little girl, either, but the little girl and her parents knew all about Casey. I told my daughter, sounds like Casey is a hero to that kid. I am glad she esp. will have peace.

Casey's handled it all amazing well. It's been rough, and it took awhile to bring him in, but finally he got the punishment he deserved.

I imagine he is a good looking kid too... Ten years is a long, long time.

Casey said she believes his father was afraid of him, so brought the letter. I'm inclined to believe this, too.

[nocluvok.livejournal.com]

You've just gotta know I'm extremely happy for the girls. Hug your daughter for me please. Just tell her I said, "It's just for being you."


Veto overrides, rock!

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

I am afraid to delve into that boy's past to find out what made him that way. Aside from that, it is very, very good he is off the streets.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

i couldn't read it all (sorry, too close) but i skipped to the end and i'm glad he was sentenced - although, i'd have give him a much steeper one, myself, and i hope those girls can move on from it now

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I don't disagree at all. It makes me sick that he only got probation the first time (WTF?????) but Casey is thrilled.

Sorry it cuts too close...it does to too many, I imagine.

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

Woot, justice.

It is imperfect, but it is something.

[bembacolora.livejournal.com]

Wow! 10 years does not seem nearly enough.

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

I hope that Casey and the little girl will be able to put their ordeals behind them.

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

This is such a nightmare - and I'm glad that Casey and the girl found a way to wake up from it and defend themselves. Hopefully, they can move on from here.

On the other hand, I wonder what made him the way he is now. No one gets born a child molester. I wonder who failed him.

No, this is not an excuse. Of course not. It's just a sad and vicious circle in so many cases that I wish we had more money. Not to build prisons, but to build child care centres and to educate parents and society as a whole and to take the time to listen to the children before it is too late.

[contrarywise]

Holy freaking crap.

I'm very glad the guy is no longer at liberty, and that justice (although imperfect) was done in this case at last. I hope that Casey and the other girl find peace and healing now.

[sanginmychains.livejournal.com]

I'm frequently shocked at the mild sentences given to sex criminals. Probation for the sexual assault of a 9 year old? I can't even...there are no words for my shock and disapproval. And then, two crimes, both against minors, 10 years? There's something severely wrong with the justice system where that's the result.

And yet, at least there was a conviction, and a sentence, and an indelible record of both. That's a good thing.

I'm trying really hard to believe that he won't be out in 5 years, and will do it again. I wonder how long my denial will hold?

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I know, she is awesome--she's been a rock for Casey through all this.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I know, we've talked about that too. He was a real charmer to Casey too--totally swept her off her feet, became her world, etc. etc... One just doesn't expect this sort of thing to happen, you know? But it does.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Oh, and he agreed to the plea bargain because the judge he was slated to go before with a jury trial is well-known for slamming hard sentences on people like him.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Yeah. It took awhile to get him and we were worried, but he showed up back at his parents' again. He did not turn himself in though, they found him. I admit,after the shitty way my break-in was handled, I was half-figuring nothing would be done.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but they are glad to be free of him now, and Casey is glad not to have had to go to trial. But she would've done whatever was needed.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Me too! I can't wait to see her and give her a big hug. Maybe stop at her Starbucks she works at tomorrow...and then she'll give me a free drink too! LOL.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I know, same here. I am always curious about this also--what makes a person deviate from acceptable behavior? Why does his father fear him, like Casey's mom thought? He apparently just sat there, not defiant but slumped, during all this today and wouldn't look anywhere. Does he finally 'get it'? Too little too late, he's a 22 year old boy going to prison for probably six years at the least. Shudder. It is hard to feel anything for him (esp. after learning about the assault on the little girl) but we all know what goes on...and how it is said, those who hurt kids get it the worst. I am curious about that, if that is something that was once true and is no longer, or still holds true, or...what.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Me too, and I said holy freaking crap when Tiff told me about the little girl. Shudder.

I always fear something like this happening to my own kids. I really felt for her parents, her dad especially took it real hard as they didn't hear her being attacked adn they were asleep upstairs. Been hard for him to deal with this.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I don't know, Sang...I was happy to hear ten, but freaked when I heard he only got probation for the prior assault.

Am just glad they got him, and he is in there now, and won't be out for quite awhile.

[nocluvok.livejournal.com]

What else were you expecting? You DID raise her, ya know.

[talekyn.livejournal.com]

That is the best news / story I've heard in weeks. I am sorry to hear what Casey and that little girl went through, but I am glad that she did everything right, and that he is getting at least some of what he deserves.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

I think we all agree that it isn't enough for what he did, huh.

[talekyn.livejournal.com]

Agreed.