I must express my utmost condemnation of the abominable murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, that occurred on the Charlotte light-rail on August 22nd. We did not personally know this young woman, yet the notion of such a promising life being brutally ended in such an unwarranted act of violence is deeply distressing to us all. It needs to be stated unequivocally that no one should experience such a horrible and unjust end. Iryna Zarutska certainly did not warrant such a brutal end. Such behavior is unbefitting of any human being.
The individual suspected of this egregious act is Decarlos Brown, Jr., a 34-year-old black man who has experienced homelessness, has a considerable history of criminal activities and mental health issues. Most of this will be confirmed by the surveillance video evidence that we’ve all been exposed to. It is indisputable that our legal systems, both at the city and state level, are equipped to address such unprovoked and egregious acts of alleged criminality.
If the facts presented in court corroborate the evidence revealed by the video, and they most likely will, then Brown should undoubtedly face the repercussions determined appropriate by a jury of his peers. Even though the crime committed is of heinous nature, we must remember that Decarlos Brown, Jr., like anyone else, is ethically entitled to a fair trial by a representative jury.
Some may find it unnerving that irrespective of the horrendous nature of the crime, we adhere to a legal system that impartially and fairly deliberates punishment. However, this is exactly what we need to curb our inherent proclivities for revenge and bloodlust, and to manage any predominant tribalistic tendencies.
Trust is a paramount issue. There is nothing more disturbing than seeing our district attorneys frantically trying to select all-white juries, devoid of true community representation. It is evident that revenge, bloodlust and indeed, racial bias, sneaks its way into the judicial process much before the judge can even utter a word.
So, setting the record straight, I firmly believe that Mr. Brown should be granted a unbiased and impartial trial. However, let this be perfectly clear: should a truly representative jury objectively analyze the facts and find Brown guilty as implicated, then I hope he will be meted out punishment to the absolute maximum extent of the law.
These sentences do not come lightly! They reflect a pursuit of justice in the truest sense. Yet, with the introduction of a hint of politics into the equation, this idealistic version of justice becomes tainted. It transforms into something far from justice; something more akin to ‘political justice.’ Only too keenly do we recognize this counterfeit brand of justice from its telltale signs.
We must guard against allowing ourselves to devolve into mere avengers and politically-dictated executioners. It is crucial that we maintain the pragmatic vision to appropriately dispense justice, in a manner that punishment for capital crimes should align with the hard facts and the rule of law, NOT our primitive emotions, or political-racial biases.
Upholding this mindset should be our national creed, applicable, come what may, even in cases where violence shakes our sensibilities and attempts to claim a permanent residence in our hearts, or within society. The path to true justice is never easy, requiring steadfast resolve to guard against circumventing due process on the road to rightful retribution.
As we uphold the tenets that form the cornerstone of our justice system, we must always remember that justice is not vengeance. It is about rectifying the wrongs endured by victims like Iryna Zarutska, while simultaneously ensuring fairness in the face of undiluted barbarity, which threatens to eat away at the very core of our communities and our shared humanity. This requires due diligence, patience, and commitment to the law and its just dispensation.
In the days that follow, let us strive to honor Iryna Zarutska’s memory by staying committed to ensuring that the scales of justice do not tip under the weight of politics or driven by hunger for revenge. It is in the balance of these scales that true justice resides, not in the plague-ridden corners of racial or political bias.
In this tragic moment, let us remind ourselves that as much as responsibility lies with the legal entities, it also lies with us, as citizens, to ensure that a fair hearing is granted. Our society will be judged based on our reaction to such moments of reckoning.
Justice isn’t the immediate and visceral demand for punishment after an outrageous act. Rather, it is the steadfast commitment to a process that best represents our collective quest for fairness, and a system that holds the power to distinguish between justice and revenge, between law and mob rule. It is this commitment that sets us apart as a civilized society.
At the end of the day, we’re not only playing our part in ensuring a just society for ourselves but we’re also setting the stage for future generations to understand that no matter the nature of the crime, fair trial and justice must always prevail, which should be our national mantra in response to violence that all too frequently shocks our society.
The post Demand for True Justice in Tragic Murder of Ukrainian Refugee appeared first on Real News Now.
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