VENGEANCE NOT THE WAY

The Verdict in the Kim Walker Case Shows the Dangers Involved When
Someone Decides to Exact Vengeance.

Walker was recently found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting
his daughter's boyfriend five times, including once in the back.

The jury heard the tale of a man driven to desperation after James
Hayward, a drug pusher, had helped Walker's daughter Jadah get hooked
on morphine.

Walker's response was understandable. After all, what parent would
not want to do everything possible so their offspring will avoid
addiction? Indeed, many people rallied behind him throughout his
trial, saying it was good that he took action in the situation.

However, Walker's response was not justifiable, legally or morally.
There is a reason the law forbids killing. While Hayward was far from
being blameless in the situation, Walker became a vigilante when he
shot his gun.

Should the situation have gotten that bad? No. In an ideal world,
Jadah would not have become addicted, and Walker would not have felt
pushed to do what he did.

But, of course, we don't live in an ideal world.

That's why Walker should have told the police what was happening
when, after Jadah had spent three days in a hospital detox unit,
Hayward's friends took her back to live with him.

Walker should have notified the police of that, and (if necessary)
insisted they handle the situation. Police forces have the expertise
and equipment to deal with such matters.

The law cannot allow anyone to take justice into their own hands.
While drug dealers and other lawbreakers act in horrific ways, the
important thing is to let the justice system take its course. If it
fails, then the laws must be changed, and the public can lobby for
that to happen.

But taking the life of another - even in frustration - sets a
dangerous precedent. It takes society down a slippery slope, making
all of us judges of who should live and who should die.

Not one of us is qualified to make such judgements.

Killing is killing, no matter who is involved, and the Walker jury
sent that message loud and clear in its verdict.