Justice

The recent ruling from the Ferguson MO Grand Jury pertaining to the shooting of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson has brought out a lot of emotion from the public. Most prominently centered is the subject of Justice. The family of Michael Brown did not receive the justice their son deserved. The police officer Darren Wilson and his family did by his not being charged with a crime. I will not reveal personal thoughts pertaining to the case because because for the purposes of this blog they are irrelevant. I can speak from personal experience how a victim and their family feels after not receiving justice.

In 2007 my rapist was put on trial for sexually assaulting 7 women. Although I was not included in the trial my statement and original charges were part of the case that brought Jeffrey Marsalis to Trial. He faced 37 charges to include Rape, Sexual Assault and Unlawful Imprisonment. Seven women got up and testified with nearly identical stories of having met Marsalis on Match.com, then on their date having been drugged and raped by him. It was a very strong circumstantial case that went on for 3 1/2 weeks with the jury deliberating for 5 days. They only came back with 2 guilty verdicts of sexual assault of 2 women. This was not justice. Although 7 women testified at trial there were many other victims like me who were not included in this case. We were devastated. 

Just as the family of Michael Brown believes their was enough evidence for Officer Darren Wilson to be charged I along with all of the other victims believed there was enough evidence for the jury to return guilty verdicts for all the charges in the Marsalis case. I can say from personal experience that you feel helpless and angry and a lot of other emotions. Victims and families put their trust in the Jury or Grand Jury and sometimes they do not deliver the decision we expect. It seems unfair. What didn't they see?

I am 7 years removed from that trial and because my rapist went on to rape again he was charged and ultimately convicted of Rape and sentenced to Life in prison. This is all very raw for the Brown family and I hope over time they can somehow begin to heal. I also know what it's like for your personal life to be broadcast by the media and exposed to public opinion. Although my case did not receive the level of coverage that the Brown's is currently. Watching your personal tragedy play out on the news daily only adds to the hurt that you are feeling. Even worse is having some use it to promote their own agenda's. 

There have and will continue to be victims and/or their families in this country who will not receive the justice they feel they deserve but we have to trust in the system. We also live in a country where you can fight to change what you believe isn't working. During the 2007 trial in Pennsylvania prosecutors were not allowed to present expert testimony as to the state of mind of a rape victim afterwards. This may have significantly changed the jury's decision. Because of a tireless fight by some legislators this is no longer the case. I hope the Brown family gets to right what they believe was wrong in their situation.