Justice is served — or is it?
Either way, I have something to be proud of.
My niece is one of the strongest, bravest and most compassionate people I know.
On May 26, she stood before a camera and stated she “could not be extremely mad, because it was a random act of violence” — a random act, a stabbing in St. John’s that kept her in hospital for eight days and put 22
staples in her abdomen.
Nonetheless, she has come to forgive this man for what he has done.
She is a bigger person then most of us will ever be.
But is justice really served?
A young man set out to harm someone on that snowy morning, and he did just that.
He has taken full responsibility for his actions and is fully aware of what he did — yet for some reason the justice system will give him a break.
A lesser sentence — but why?
Because of his upbringing?
His ethnic background?
Is that really a good enough excuse for his behaviour, or anyone’s, for that matter?
Hardship is common
My niece, in particular, is no stranger to hardship.
Her mother passed away when she was a child, at which point she became estranged from her father, and has only recently become in contact with him again.
This does not make her more likely to commit a criminal act.
She hasn’t had it easy either, but
look at the beautiful, strong, forgiving woman she has become. Behaviour is a choice. He chose to harm her, just as he very well could have chosen to keep walking.
Kayla chose to forgive him.
She is the amazing person here, yet justice is choosing to give him a break.
Donna Harding
St. John’s
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