Today my sister had to turn in her letter to the judge for his consideration in sentencing the murderer of her dear friend. I just read a draft of it and have been once again moved to tears.

One of the most horrible things about this situation is the bottomlessness to it. It seems like my sister just moves through one part to the next. Sometimes it easier but then the next part is the hardest yet.

The way the justice part of this drags on makes it far from easy. It's been two and half years and there is still ongoing court time for it. Still testimony. Still being forced to think about and relive the very darkest of times. And as long as it's in the courts still she is sealed to silence outside of the courts.

So she can't talk about it outside of court, but she is forced to think and talk about it for court. How is she supposed to heal, to move on? I hope and pray that this is finally the end of the justice part of this.

justice cont'd

today i am once again outraged. over what? (well, here comes the broken record...) over a murder.

it makes me so sick to my stomach to think of Jaime's murderer possibly walking free, even gaining custody of their children. although this is not a likely scenario, it is a possible scenario now that there will be a new trial.

it makes me sick to think about my sister going through another trial. The enormous emotional cost of it, and the very real danger she will once again be in with her testimony in front of her instead of behind her.

but probably what disturbs me most of all are all the other domestic violence murder victims of the present and future. Our friends murderer was stupid enough, high enough, whatever enough, to commit his brutal crime in broad daylight with at least one witness. but what if he hadn't? what if he had actually put a moments thought into his crime? how are other murderers like him supposed to be convicted if the victim's statements to friends, family, and even the police are to be inadmissible?

how will there be justice?

Liberty and Justice for All

On Friday August 1st my favorite aunt and her partner of 10+ years were legally married in a private ceremony. On Saturday they held a reception which Little Guy and I attended (Hubby had to work). It was quite a day.

It was a day to celebrate the love my Aunt B and Aunt S have found with each other. To acknowledge how special they each are and how happy we all are for them. They have been a unit for many years now but without the wedding there really hasn't been an occasion to do these very significant things.

I can only imagine the difficult road they each faced, just in coming to terms with who they are. I can only imagine the bravery it must have taken to be honest with the world and with their families. In spite of it all they avoided anger and bitterness and became good people who found love with each other.

I am just so freaking happy for them.

wtf wtf wtf

Yesterday's Supreme Court ruling has already resulted in the overturning of numerous domestic violence murder convictions, and motions are piling in for more of these verdicts to be overturned.

What this means for us, personally, is that our "Jaime got her justice" moment will likely be ending in an overturned verdict.

We will have a new trial to look forward to. A trial where Jaime's voice (her official complaints to the police and her statements to friends and family) will be silent.

thank you, world

for convicting jaime's killer of murder 1. thank you, world, for justice for jaime.