NO EXCUSE FOR MURDER

The state has rightly dealt with tragedy of Leighann Martin's death and the
trial of Tobe Smith. Martin's death was so violent that no other conclusion
could have been made by the jury.

Drugs, alcohol, a bad day, a bad childhood, or whatever psycho-babble
excuse is popular today, can never excuse any crime, especially murder.

Smith chose to use drugs. He chose to go to her home because he knew she
would be alone. Every act leading up to the murder was a conscious decision
on his part.

A family member was quoted as saying that, "Society has failed him."

Wrong.

Tobe Smith has failed society. He has failed to obey to the laws of God and
man.

Because of his failure he no longer deserves to live among us. In this
case, because of the nature of his crime, he no longer deserves to live at all.

We must all understand that his drug addiction and the cold-blooded murder
of Ms. Martin were his own choice - his own failure to be a member of a
civil society.

He is not a victim. He is a perpetrator who has victimized Leighann Martin,
his own family, the Martin family and each of us.

- - H. A. Hilton, Landis