CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY OCTOBER 17, 2022
IN ONE OF THE GREAT MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE OF OUR TIME, NIKOLAS CRUS, THE THEN-TEENAGER WHO SHOT UP PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL IN FLORIDA FOUR YEARS AGO, KILLING 17 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM STUDENTS, WAS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.
AT LEAST ONE OF THE JURORS CITED “MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES” FOR VOTING AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY AND FOR LIFE IN PRISON.
UNDER FLORIDA LAW, THERE ARE EIGHT MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH ARE THE OPPOSITE OF AGGRAVATING FACTORS. AS THE NEW YORK TIMES NOTES, MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES ARE A REASON TO SHOW A DEFENDANT MERCY. THESE INCLUDE SOMEONE’S INABILITY TO “APPRECIATE THE CRIMINALITY” OF ONE’S CONDUCT.
KRUZ SHOWED NO MERCY TO THOSE HE KILLED. HIS CARNAGE WAS PRE-MEDITATED. FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS SAT IN THE COURTROOM, SOME SHAKING THEIR HEADS AS THE VERDICT WAS READ, OTHERS CRYING SOFTLY.
THEY PROBABLY WONDERED WHERE IS JUSTICE FOR THEIR DEAD LOVED ONES.
THIS VERDICT IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OUR SOFT ON CRIME MENTALITY WHERE CRIMINALS ARE TREATED BETTER THAN THEIR VICTIMS AND FAMILIES. IF ANYONE DESERVED THE DEATH PENALTY IT IS NIKOLAS CRUZ. I’M CAL THOMAS.
