Recently, I’ve written a few articles about personal responsibility concerning convicted individuals convicted of serious crimes. Many people who commit crimes don’t desire to admit guilt, or admit responsibility for their actions, which in many cases resulted in the killing or maiming of innocent citizens. Oddly, in many of theses cases the convicted criminal had previously confessed to the crime, but later attempt to retract the plea!
Well criminals, you’ve got an out! Simply moved to a state like Maryland and commit your crimes! Many states like Maryland has a law called the Alford law (North Carolina vs. Henry Alford). What is it? Well let us say a man murders a woman, is arrested, then voluntarily confesses, and even provides details of how he did it. Later he is indicted and scheduled for trial. He later changes his mind and which to recant his confession, or change his plea. He can then plea the Alford plea. What is he now saying to the court and the victim’s family? I killed the lady but I wish NOT to admit it! What!
Yes the law provides a way for the admitted killer to duck personal responsibility for what he has done! Keep in mind, the court can still sentence him for the crime, but can’t make him say “I did it”. Want to hear another twist of this law? The killer is also in essence stating that he’s aware that the court and district attorney has enough evidence to convict him, but nevertheless he won’t verbally admit it!
I can accidentally step on your foot and say I’m sorry, but when I murdered your mother or father I can choose to say I’m not sorry! This is a ridiculous law for one very important reason. How can society (or the courts) on one hand say it’s wrong to kill, but allow an admitted killer to avoid saying it? Where’s the repentance? Truly, when this person is one day released, he or she has a high probability of murdering another person, because he or she never realized or admitted the errors of their ways. Matter of fact, their warped minds might even think that what they have done is okay!
One cannot legislate morality, but I believe there is a strong case to make that when one commits a murder, all bets are off. Morality should be forced on the murderer for the benefit of society at large. He or she needs to realize that society will not only make you pay for the crime, but we’re not playing word games about the hideous crime you committed. If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck…
So criminals, having a problem admitting your guilt after a confession, move to a state like Maryland!
