Delayed Justice

I look forward to the day when I can write about the solving of the Shannon Marie Siders case.  Oh, I pray that’s coming.  I trust that’s coming.

It will take courage…or somebody who realizes that the first one through the door might receive a lesser punishment.  We saw it in the trial of those convicted of murdering Janet Chandler.  There were others there, both at the planning meetings and at her hours-long assault and rape, and then at her murder.   …Others who had some involvement, who — because of their willingness to cooperate, their willingness to  reveal and testify to what they did and saw — received a lesser (or no) punishment.  Popular sentiment was against some who walked; the comments were harsh and sometimes crude.  Yet, without their cooperation it’s likely not as many would have gone to prison.

Newaygo County Prosecutor Robert Springstead knows the argument and has worked it through:

These cases often are broken by the first person who comes forward.  I would not rule out giving “a break” to someone who has decided after all these years to do the right thing.  It makes sense that the person or people who are most responsible receive the harshest treatment and that those who were marginally involved or who have withheld information to receive some leniency for their cooperation.

I am extremely confident that the team of five full time, aggressive, and seasoned investigators working on the Shannon Siders homicide will find Shannon’s killer.  Every interview and every piece of physical evidence recently obtained moves the case one step closer to prosecution.  

The issue now, he said, is TIME.

Time is running out for witnesses, accomplices, or others who have played a lesser role in preventing this case from being prosecuted to come forward with crucial information.  Once their information and testimony is no longer required, they can expect a punishment commensurate with the crime they helped commit or helped cover up. 

Even the primary assailants might be able to help themselves to some degree by talking with police.

If the killer or killers were to come forward now, they may even be able to help themselves out.  I am sure all those involved have been tempted many times over the years to do the right thing, to make their conscience clear.  It would probably be the most difficult thing they have ever had to do, but relieving themselves of the burden they have been carrying over the years would be worth it.   The problem for them is time is no longer on their side, the team is coming for them, the puzzle is being solved.  As soon as the final pieces of the puzzle are in place, their pleas for leniency will fall on deaf ears.

In  the main it’s the smaller players who are likely to come forward.  And in dealing with them it’s the half-loaf argument.  Would you rather have the worst offenders convicted knowing that some lesser players–in exchange for their cooperation and testimony–are escaping a full accounting?  Or would you prefer none?  The idealist says “All,” but that option is not on the table.  The next best is the half loaf.  And if Prosecutor Springstead sees the need to make a deal, it’s understandable that he should.

Justice will be served, and there are people who need to learn what happened to this young woman.

I know it is important to Shannon’s family, friends, and the community to know what led up to Shannon’s brutal murder.  

Bottom line: first one through the door gets an easier walk down the hall.  And, you don’t want to be on the wrong side of that door as it swings shut.

Better sooner than later.

But sooner or later somebody is going to make that deal.