District Attorney Barrett Dye is being sworn in as
he takes the place of prosecutor David Scott who passed away suddenly at the young age of 53.
Dye will be leaving the position at the end of his term and the new DA will take over the new trial
IF
one is granted to Chuckwa
Joe Meraz is the only candidate to file for a place and will become the new District Attorney
In the March primary, a new District Judge was elected to replace retiring Judge William Smith. Smith has served as judge for Hansford, Ochiltree and Hutchinson County for 20 + years
Judge William D. Smith
After attending a forum where Brancheau and his opponent spoke in a forum, I was won over by one single comment Brancheau made and it was this...
I have been asked how I can defend a murderer when I know they are guilty and my answer is this...everyone in our country has a right to a fair trial and yes it might be hard to defend a bad person, but when I find myself in that position, I fight for the law...I fight to defend what is right and true and so my effort is spent in defending the law.
I am extremely intrigued with what will happen in this case. It could be one of a few scenarios, including that a new hearing will be denied and "that will be that". But if Chuckwa is granted a new hearing, he will be appointed a new defense attorney, and all the others will be new as well.
In no way has Chuckwa ever implied his innocence and in no way have I every written a word to him that conveyed I accepted that he took the life of another man. It is a very strange position to be in when one finds one's self able to carry on a human connection with someone who has done something bad. I believe we all have that capacity in our core...most all of us are capable of forgiveness. And forgiveness is not mine to grant to Chuckwa, but I am able to see a side to this case that perhaps, he indeed, did not receive justice....12 of his peers may get the opportunity to decide.
The decision might make a difference in 20 years or 40 years...
No comments:
Post a Comment