A truly sad story that I find difficult to understand. As someone who enforced the law for more than 30 years, and arrested a lot of “good kids” that had never been arrested before, the evidence of malice and evil in this incident certainly cries for justice. The cruelty of leaving the man to suffer and die coupled with the killing of his dog clearly shows these were not good kids. I find it so difficult to understand how a law enforcement official could make such an irresponsible statement. Justice can, at times, be an extremely long and slow march. There is no statute of limitations in Washington State for homicide and the elections of a new Prosecutor and/or Sheriff can be a remedy. Did the crime occur in the jurisdiction of the US Forest Service and could it be prosecuted in federal court? Like you MW, I’ve owned guns since I was a teenager. For nearly half my life guns were a tool of my profession, treated with care and respect. I support the second amendment but I also believe that, People that shouldn’t own guns, shouldn’t own guns. We all know someone like this. I hope justice is found, not only for this man, but also for a society that demands it.
There is also the civil court route, it worked for the families of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. At least some small justice could be served that route.
I do not even know what to say. It seems that more than ever, justice is partisan, justice favors the influential, justice favors the politically connected, etc.
The real travesty beyond the death of the victim and his dog, is the obvious malfeasance present. It is exhausting to see these levels of corruption play out day in and day out, at all levels.
There is obviously an American caste system or levels of distinction. If you are at a certain social or hereditary level, the law applies and doesn't for those deemed to be at the other levels.
A little extra information: Thurston Co. Sheriff's Dept conducted an investigation of Lewis Co Sheriff's actions.....cleared. Funny how the fact that the Thurston Co Sheriff is the brother of the Lewis Co Sheriff........and he is returning the favor. Previous to this the Snaza brothers have cleared each other's departments of wrongdoing.
Does this strike anyone as more than just a bit of a conflict of interest? I feel you can draw a straight line from incidents like this over the years and the attitude towards much of LE these days. How many people must die at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect before we can clean out the thugs and bullies that find a gun and a badge alluring for the cover it gives them? Takes an awfully brave LEO to go against the code of omerta and speak the truth.
I started my law enforcement carrer as a deputy sheriff in Northeastern Washington. I learned very quickly that when the Sheriff is elected from the community, a small close nit community, that there are many movers and shakers, people of great influence, who have a lot to say about how justice is dispensed. I learned that no matter what side of the court room the attorneys sat, they all sat at the same bar afterwards for cocktails. I learned that Lady Justice was able to peak out from under her blindfold and could then be influenced by the power brokers. I learned that judges could hear "testimony" in their chambers, which often influenced them on the bench. I became a cynic regarding government, and will admit, that at times it was easier to ride the currents of the local political atmosphere than push against it. I transferred to the Seattle Police. Nothing changed. I then had to only deal with what was in front of me to assist that person requesting my help.
It is shocking that not a single law enforcement officer would do their duty and arrest the subject. It is not a surprise that this is happening in a society that now invents charges and or over charges persons not in favor and allows the connected to walk on an astronomical scale. The fact that the man was shot is not relevant, the man was murdered. Method matters not. The man and his accomplish can buy knives and tons of automobile too. I am dismayed that when considering the event the tool used and as one Brother suggested race should have some bearing one the case. It demonstrates to me a certain amount of illogical thinking. I do hope the murderer is brought to justice. My duty as Freemason is stick to the truth and use logic in all cases.
You didn't say so, but the shooter was White. Right?
A truly sad story that I find difficult to understand. As someone who enforced the law for more than 30 years, and arrested a lot of “good kids” that had never been arrested before, the evidence of malice and evil in this incident certainly cries for justice. The cruelty of leaving the man to suffer and die coupled with the killing of his dog clearly shows these were not good kids. I find it so difficult to understand how a law enforcement official could make such an irresponsible statement. Justice can, at times, be an extremely long and slow march. There is no statute of limitations in Washington State for homicide and the elections of a new Prosecutor and/or Sheriff can be a remedy. Did the crime occur in the jurisdiction of the US Forest Service and could it be prosecuted in federal court? Like you MW, I’ve owned guns since I was a teenager. For nearly half my life guns were a tool of my profession, treated with care and respect. I support the second amendment but I also believe that, People that shouldn’t own guns, shouldn’t own guns. We all know someone like this. I hope justice is found, not only for this man, but also for a society that demands it.
There is also the civil court route, it worked for the families of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. At least some small justice could be served that route.
They're not good kids - they're murderers. The Sheriff is clearly a friend of the parent.
State needs to take over. And prosecute the Sheriff as well.
The latest news story about this case includes links to a great deal of the media coverage and can be read here:
https://www.chronline.com/stories/family-of-aron-christensen-files-20-milion-legal-claim-against-lewis-county,319431
I do not even know what to say. It seems that more than ever, justice is partisan, justice favors the influential, justice favors the politically connected, etc.
The real travesty beyond the death of the victim and his dog, is the obvious malfeasance present. It is exhausting to see these levels of corruption play out day in and day out, at all levels.
There is obviously an American caste system or levels of distinction. If you are at a certain social or hereditary level, the law applies and doesn't for those deemed to be at the other levels.
A little extra information: Thurston Co. Sheriff's Dept conducted an investigation of Lewis Co Sheriff's actions.....cleared. Funny how the fact that the Thurston Co Sheriff is the brother of the Lewis Co Sheriff........and he is returning the favor. Previous to this the Snaza brothers have cleared each other's departments of wrongdoing.
Does this strike anyone as more than just a bit of a conflict of interest? I feel you can draw a straight line from incidents like this over the years and the attitude towards much of LE these days. How many people must die at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect before we can clean out the thugs and bullies that find a gun and a badge alluring for the cover it gives them? Takes an awfully brave LEO to go against the code of omerta and speak the truth.
I started my law enforcement carrer as a deputy sheriff in Northeastern Washington. I learned very quickly that when the Sheriff is elected from the community, a small close nit community, that there are many movers and shakers, people of great influence, who have a lot to say about how justice is dispensed. I learned that no matter what side of the court room the attorneys sat, they all sat at the same bar afterwards for cocktails. I learned that Lady Justice was able to peak out from under her blindfold and could then be influenced by the power brokers. I learned that judges could hear "testimony" in their chambers, which often influenced them on the bench. I became a cynic regarding government, and will admit, that at times it was easier to ride the currents of the local political atmosphere than push against it. I transferred to the Seattle Police. Nothing changed. I then had to only deal with what was in front of me to assist that person requesting my help.
What a terrible tragedy, and compounded by a miscarriage of justice....
It is shocking that not a single law enforcement officer would do their duty and arrest the subject. It is not a surprise that this is happening in a society that now invents charges and or over charges persons not in favor and allows the connected to walk on an astronomical scale. The fact that the man was shot is not relevant, the man was murdered. Method matters not. The man and his accomplish can buy knives and tons of automobile too. I am dismayed that when considering the event the tool used and as one Brother suggested race should have some bearing one the case. It demonstrates to me a certain amount of illogical thinking. I do hope the murderer is brought to justice. My duty as Freemason is stick to the truth and use logic in all cases.