Here is an interesting 17 year old Murder Case in my neighborhood that was just resurrected. Rodrigo Gonzalez shot and killed Ida Garcia 17 years ago. The case went cold for 17 years, until recently, Gonzalez reappeared in Texas and was arrested. When I look at the face of this man, he looks like many of my friends here at New Life Community Church. Many of them have similar histories... years ago they hurt someone, or killed someone. Some did prison time for their crimes, some didn't. Now their lives are changed completely, they're raising godly children, teaching others about the love of God, helping pull others from a life on the streets to a life in the kingdom of God. It is hard for me to imagine some of these guys behind bars again for a crime committed 17 years ago. Does the criminal justice system exist so men like this can "pay" for their crimes, even if they are completely changed men today?

From the story of Rodrigo Gonzalez, it seems that this is the purpose. Forget platitudes of "rehabilitation" or even "protect society by keeping menaces like these behind bars." The whole story rotates around one retired cops "bad taste in his mouth." But what if Gonzalez went to my church? What if he was a part of a tutoring program encouraging young gang members to do better in school? What if he was married with 3 young boys of his own? Putting him behind bars would undoubtedly do more harm than good, and without a dad in the house his 3 boys would probably end up in gangs within 8 months (at least in my neighbohood).

I don't know Rodrigo Gonzalez. He may be continuing a life of murder and crime. But I certainly hope that his trial will take the Rodrigo Gonzalez of the present into account, not just the rodrigo of 17 years ago and a cop's "bad taste in the mouth."

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posted by Chaddo 8/23/2005 08:04:00 AM

Comments:

I'm all for "rehabilitation", but, you commit the crime, you do the time! What about Ida Garcia? Does she get the chance to "rehabilitate"? Does her family? I've heard of this Rodrigo Gonzalez...he was using his "dead" brother's alias, Ruben Gonzalez. He's married with 3 children and is cheating on his wife. He NEEDS to be put away, not only for the 20 years he is charged with (currently serving at Menard Correctional Center, Illinois), but for life. A LIFE for a LIFE!

# posted by  Anonymous : 2:00 PM

 

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