In October 2000, a person with an history of breaking the law committed a violent criminal offence, a felony. He took a life, brutally beating his defenceless victim -- to whom he was unknown -- to death. So vicious was this attack, the perpetrator did not stop until he was certain his victim was dead. Here in Fernandina Beach.
The police arrived soon after the killing. The killer had not left the scene of the crime. When questioned, he told the police a series of lies about what occurred. He obstructed justice. Yet the police did not believe him. They arrested him. Having run out of lies to tell, the culprit confessed to the crime. He also admitted the crime was premeditated; he intended to kill his victim before the attack began. He expressed neither remorse nor contrition. At his arraignment, he entered a plea of not guilty.
Less than two weeks later, a copycat crime was committed by two persons. They knew the perpetrator of the first killing, and he knew them. They, too, were arrested and charged. Here in Fernandina Beach.
This admitted felon never once apologised to the loved ones of the victim. He never said he was sorry.
After more than half a year of legal manoeuvring, stalling and other dilatory tactics, he changed his plea to guilty. He appealed to the mercy of the court. At his sentencing, on the last day of May 2001, he found the court more lenient than anyone could have expected. Whilst justice is supposed to be blind, it is not supposed to be senseless altogether.
For the wanton, wilful taking of a life, he was sentenced to three years probation, with adjudication withheld. That means if he does not violate the terms of his probation, in the eyes of the law he will have committed no crime. Yet his victim is no less dead. For the calculated, callous taking of a life, he was sentenced to three months incarceration; the sentence was suspended. This means if he does violate the terms of his probation, he will serve ninety days in gaol. For killing a fellow living being. Here in Fernandina Beach.