What is justice?

As many of you are probably aware of by now the case of Troy Davis is getting a lot of attention. I find this particularly interesting because of my undergrad in Forensic Science. I love reading about cases. This one is particularly interesting. Now in the interest of full disclosure if anyone is reading this, I am anti death penalty in ALL cases so that should be said. Having said the fact this case has gone this far is an embarrassment. I have a major problem with the Judge presiding over Troy's attempt to get a new case saying that the recantations of witnesses was unreliable but their initial (supposedly coerced) courtroom testimony was in fact reliable. I just can't see how this case has gone this far. The board of Parole spent the better part of the day hearing the testimony of both sides of the argument. While watching a story on the case they interviews the mother of Marc MacPhail the off duty officer killed in the case. She said she just wants justice for the death of her son. This stirred up all sorts of emotions within me. What is justice? Is justice accomplished by sending a man to death when there are serious questions about his guilt or innocence? The fact of the matter is unavoidable. While many people capital punishment kills are guilty invariably there are innocent people wrongly convicted who are executed in a guilty person's stead and it's there I find my comfort. I'm a Christian. It's not a secret or anything that I hide from people i'm pretty vocal about it. I find comfort when my heart hurts over the death of a potentially innocent person by thinking about the greatest example of love I have ever know. Christ died a criminals death in our stead to save us from our own suffering. Christ even says that there is "no greater love than a man lay down his life for a brother". John 15:13 It's things like this that bring me hope. I long for the day when my state and my country kills no one in my name for the sake of justice because I know that the law of averages catches up and eventually they kill an innocent man or woman. I also take solace that like the thief on the cross if someone cries out to God before they are executed that they too will be held in his arms. So the question returns.What is justice or more importantly is it our place or God's to dole out justice?

What I learned from the Casey Anthony trial

My last blog was long so I'm going to try and keep this one short. I learned quite a few things from the Casey Anthony trial. God's Grace is needed by allpeople. There needs to be grace for all those involved with this trial, and grace for everyone who attacked Casey Anthony after she was found not guilty of the charges. The effect CSI and Law and Order have had on the average couch potato is way more than scientists believe. Many of the people who passed judgement on the case from the comfort of their own couch did so with "knowledge" acquired from watching hours of shows like CSI and Law and Order. The other half that were outraged were outraged because Nancy Grace told them she was guilty. That brings me to my next point. Nancy Grace doesn't need to be on tv. That being said it's a double edged blade. Her incessant use of her catchphrase "tot mom" was like watching the "meow game" in Super Troopers except way less entertaining.

It seemed like she intentionally tried to slip in Tot mom where someone would refer to Casey Anthony by name. However Nancy Grace was her own worse enemy. As noted by Brian Dickerson over at the Detroit Free Press. The publicity Nancy Grace gave to the trial allowed Casey Anthony to have a decent attorney rather than the court appointed one she would have received had this been any other case with less media.


 The response to the verdict from Nancy Grace was overwhelming but then so too was the response from the Christian community. Around the country devoted followers of Christ cried foul and demanded "justice". It's funny how when we as Christians are wronged we demand justice from God on our behalf, but when we find ourselves in the position of the one hurting another we cry out to God for mercy. Mercy and Grace are what we all need. I don't mean Nancy Grace. Truth be told modern tv could do a lot better without her on tv every night. This trial also reminded me of some very happy positive things. First and foremost I'm no better than a murderer and need God's mercy and grace just as much. Also it reminded me to be thankful that I live in a country that regardless of how I feel about the verdict I'm free to be judged by a jury of my peers. May God hold close his children who are hurting on either side of this tragedy. Amen