The Kimberly Cates verdict

In October of 2009 I wrote a blog discussing the Kimberly Cates murder in New Hampshire. Today, the second of the two accused murderers was convicted and sentenced to Life in prison without the possibility of parole. Christopher Gribble is 21.

I know people who say it is terrible that a 21 year-old man will spend the rest of his life in prison for a mistake he made when he was 19. Personally, I'm just glad that a person like that is off the street. The bottom line for me is this...Kimberly Cates is dead because of him. Kimberly's husband is a single dad because of him. Jamie Cates, who was a sweet, innocent child of 11 years, has no mother because of him. She also has physical scars from where these two animals slashed and hacked at her with knives and machetes. Two full-grown males with weapons mutilating an unarmed 11 year-old little girl. With no conscience.

I'm sorry, but I find it real hard to be empathetic towards these two. The consequences they face are the direct result of their conscious decision to kill. Jamie Cates did not have any choice, and everytime she looks in a mirror, she'll be reminded of this horrible act. Every birthday that her mother isn't there, she'll be reminded of her loss. Every Mother's Day, while her friends are taking Mom out to dinner, she'll be placing flowers on a grave.

Spader and Gribble received a trial as they are guaranteed by the Constitution. And they received the sentences for their crimes.

Jamie Cates is also serving a life sentence, but without the benefit of a trial in a court of law.

I'm glad those two animals will never walk the streets again. But I wish the events that put them there never took place. Because then Jamie Cates would just be another happy-go-lucky 13 year-old girl, and I wouldn't be shedding a tear for her today.

Take care my friends.