In our judicial system today, how are criminal sentences determined?
While reading the headlines from CNN online on Saturday, I came across an article worthy of discussion. The title read, “Teen smiles after she’s convicted of killing roommate.” Being that it is unnatural to see the words smile and kill in the same sentence, the article caught my eye, as I am sure the eye of many readers. How could someone be so sick as to smile as their murder conviction was being read? I decided to read further.
On Friday, September 19th, 2008, a nineteen- year-old female student named Galareka Harrison was convicted of premeditated murder of her eighteen-year-old roommate at the University of Arizona in September of 2007. In addition to murder, Galareka was found guilty of forgery on three counts and identity theft. As the reading was given, the young girl showed no emotion. However, after the court was dismissed, and she was turning to walk out, a smile came to her face. Could it possibly be that she was satisfied with being convicted of murder of the first degree?
The story begins when victim Mia Henderson accused Galareka of stealing her student charge card, checks, $500 from a bank account, and her social security card. The issue was never settled. Days later, Galareka repeatedly stabbed Mia twenty-three times in the back while in the dorm with a knife she had purchased on a trip back to campus. Afterward, she had attempted to manipulate the scene as to look like a suicide. She had spent many days prior to the murder in the library crafting a suicide note and planning her attack. When apprehended, Galareka repeated lied to officers and officials. It was quite obvious this was not a suicide, but an act of first-degree murder.
First off, it is important to recognize and applaud the courts for bringing another criminal to justice. The given evidence strongly supports that this student was guilty of all of the charges brought before the court. Unfortunately, as sickening as this murder truly was, it is not the worst part of the case. In November, Galareka will find out the consequences that she will be required face for her actions. When I read further down the article about the possible outcomes she will be facing, I wonder to myself if she will leave the courtroom yet again with a smile on her face.
The article tells us that prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty, but rather a life in prison, as rightfully they should. Premeditated murder should not be lessened in its degree of consequence given its severity. Yet, the article also states that there could be a POSSIBILITY for parole after 25 years! This is where I believe that the judicial system could potentially make a big mistake.
It is quite obvious that the criminal has a severely twisted view of life and death. For the crimes that were committed, she felt it necessary to take the life of another individual. Therefore, I ask the question: Is it wise to free someone after twenty-five years of good behavior so that they can live their life on parole for intentionally taking the life of someone else? Do we feel that we can trust these people not to strike again? I believe that this punishment is really not a punishment at all, but merely a time-out and grounding for taking someone’s life.
Now, I do am not an expert in the judicial system, nor do I claim to be. However, doesn’t it make logical sense to do everything in our power to make sure that this person does not have the opportunity to strike again? Is life behind bars for purposely taking the life of another not fair?
I am perfectly aware that people change over time. I am also aware and accepting of the possibility of parole for accidental death given the circumstances of the case. But when it comes to premeditated murder of a human being in the way we it has been discussed, I do not believe that a second chance should be given. If someone can have the mental and physical fortitude to carry such a gruesome act, they should not have the opportunity to live amongst law-abiding citizens for fear of safety for the society. Who is to say they will not strike again?
Life and death is the ultimate last decision for a human being. There is no going back. Can someone who can smile while walking away from premeditated, gruesome murder be trusted amongst the people in society after only twenty-five years of good behavior? It is a serious question that will force us to examine our judicial system and hope that it will make the best decision for the safety and security of its law-abiding citizens.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/09/19/dorm.death.ap/index.html
3 comments:
I agree with PonyUp; how can parole even be an option? This person took the life of another and obviously feels no remorse for it. Just because she has "good behavior" in jail does not warrant her release. Someone with issues like Galareka could easily sit in jail for the 25 years, quietly thinking of her next murder, showing no apparent signs. People who commit a crime such as this deserve no second chance; the possible consequences of them not changing is to severe.
I agree with both responses, this story is appalling! Life in prison, I believe, should be a no brainer. This person deserves to be punished for this heinous crime. What I don't understand is how someone, at this point can even think of an alternate punishment. Maybe this would come across with in the next 10 years, but a year after and prosecutors are already trying to see if she will receive parol? I don't think that is right at all.
In my contemporary moral problems class we discussed the death penalty, and talked about when we believe that the death penalty is justice. I feel as though for a case like this, it should be heavily thought about. Many retentionist believe in the eye for an eye theory. If someone does an unjust crime to someone else they should get the same punishment back. In this case I feel like authorities should really look into it.
I believe that under certain circumstances, parole should be offered. However, this is a very unique situation. This murder is not only premeditated, but also very personal. It takes a certain type of person to brutally murder his or her own roommate, and for that I don’t think this person should ever leave the inside of a prison cell. I also believe that this girl is in need of some intense psychiatric help. Her mind is clearly not healthy. Without the proper help, who knows what kind of problems she could cause in jail even if she never parolled. This article is truly disturbing yet also eye opening, revealing the amount of forgiveness the U.S. justice system is willing to give. It really makes you think about the criminals that could have been let back on to the streets, its quite scary.
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