If You Don't Fess Up, You Should Stay in the Can

   If you don't repent, you do it again. If our judicial system were wise to this, Cory Wride might yet be alive.
   Police officer Wride's life was taken after he stopped to investigate a pickup parked along the road. After he went back to his patrol car to get information, the pickup's rear window slid open and someone shot a handgun at Wride, killing him.
   The suspected shooter? Jose Angel Garcia-Jauregui, the same Jose Angel Garcia-Jauregui who about six years ago ran over a man, then stabbed that person maybe 21 times with a screwdriver. Attempted murder, of course.
   Jose Angel Garcia-Jaurengui. Four and a half years in prison. Yes, just 4 1/2 years.
   Well, I don't know that Garcia-Jaurengui didn't eventually fess up and say he was sorry and express remorse. Perhaps, if he got out after only 4 1/2 years, he must have. I suppose I don't even know what the standard term is for attempted murder. But, I do know this: While in prison, Garcia-Jaurengui got into a fight (and he is believed to have been the instigator). It does seem clear he had not learned not to resort to violence in solving a problem. It does seem, then, he not repented.
   If a person doesn't at least verbally express remorse, they will be more prone to do it again. Those who commit violent crimes should not be released without a confession and a show of remorse, not only for the individual crime they committed, but for reacting to problems and confrontations in a violent way, period. True, they would often express the remorse just to get out. But, there is power in expression. Sometimes, the confession and pledge to refrain do take hold. Our own words can be our greatest persuaders.
    So make them fess up or stay in the can.
    I'd even make it part of their parole that they not be allowed to express any sentiment indicating they were not remorseful. True, it would not be often their friends would turn them in. But, just knowing it was against their parole would serve as a deterrent.
 


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