The news of Poway High School senior Chelsea King's brutal murder was as infuriating as it was horrifying. I'm guessing you don't need to be a parent or grandparent of a teenager to experiencing the sickening feeling that there is absolutely nowhere in this world where it is safe for a child to be alone.
The reality of being the parent of teenagers causes Chelsea's murder to perhaps hit closer to home than most. To picture my daughter going through those horrifying moments before her life was mercilessly snuffed out—sorry, I can't do it without becoming emotional. But as horrifying as this was, it was equally as infuriating.
The cause for the anger rests in the fact that this murder could have been prevented. Facts continue to come out about the accused killer, John Albert Gardner III. The fact that Gardner was convicted in 2000 for molesting a 13-year-old girl, initially charged with enough violent sex crimes that would have put him in prison for over 30 years, and was able to plead out so that his sentence was somehow reduced to six years. The fact that Gardner only spent five years in prison, and completed probation in 2008. The fact that Gardner only had to register as a sex offender in Escondido, yet was not outfitted with any kind of tracking device as to his whereabouts.
Some may react by saying, "Look, he did the crime; he did the time. Time to move on." However, crimes like this are distinctly different than other crimes. Sexual predators like this do not rehabilitate. That much was said by the psychologist who interviewed Gardner prior to his release on parole. That psychologist warned that because of Gardner's "lack of remorse for his actions" that he would pose a "continued danger for underage girls." Yet in spite of this pointed warning, John Albert Gardner III was released back into society. And now, the published evidence surrounding Chelsea's horrifying murder points to this man about whom the courts were warned.
The amazing thing about what happened is that since the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin, John Albert Gardner III could receive forgiveness for this horrific action by putting his trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior. Think about that for a moment; it truly is Amazing Grace!
However, although Jesus can (and does) forgive all sin, He does institute governments to reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. And this behavior is about as bad as it can get; one is hard-pressed to describe a crime more heinous than robbing the innocent life of a child. Yet in our country, we have seen far too many cases of sexual predators being released back into society to repeat their crimes—and too many times leading to the death of an innocent child. Why do we see more compassion in our courts for criminals than we do for victims of these crimes? We need judges who will see their role to protect the liberties of citizens by enforcing the law as needed.
It's one thing to rant and rave about injustice; it's another thing to do something about it.
For far too long, I have felt powerless to do anything about this (maybe you have as well). Not anymore. Now, I know where I can go to get information that will help me elect solid judges who will protect our liberties.
I can go to BetterCourtsNow.com and get that information. I can find judicial candidates that see the role of a judge the way I see that role. I want to encourage you to go to BetterCourtsNow.com and register your support.
It may not seem like much, but if everyone did a little, a lot would get done. We just might save the life of someone's daughter.
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