Mark Gooch-Arrested for the murder of Sasha Krause

[mike]

One of the questions in my mind is why they would not allow testimony about the missing underwear (at some point I think somebody mentioned it and it was struck from the record by the judge) and why there was no discussion of the possibility of an assault. I wonder whether the victim’s family did not want it brought up. If so I can sympathize. Maybe there’s nothing there. Maybe there’s enough without that to put the crime on Gooch.

That's kinda what happened in the Linda Stoltzfoos case. There was evidence but that was dropped from the charges.

I see. I didn't know that. I think as a parent I can understand why. At the same time, the crime is what it is. I can understand and appreciate that law enforcement considers the wishes of the victim's family in cases like these.

[Signtist]

I see. I didn't know that. I think as a parent I can understand why. At the same time, the crime is what it is. I can understand and appreciate that law enforcement considers the wishes of the victim's family in cases like these.

Part of the picture, I think, also become clearer when you put your self in the shoes of the victims family. Do you really want all your friends, and relatives and every Mennonite in North America seeing all the evidences the court could bring forth? I wish there was a way to give them some privacy. Just because a criminal foisted them into the spotlight, doesn't mean they asked for it. Neither does it mean they want everyone knowing all the details of the case.

And yes, my experience is that law enforcement really does treat secondary victims well in these cases.

[Ken]

I see. I didn't know that. I think as a parent I can understand why. At the same time, the crime is what it is. I can understand and appreciate that law enforcement considers the wishes of the victim's family in cases like these.

Part of the picture, I think, also become clearer when you put your self in the shoes of the victims family. Do you really want all your friends, and relatives and every Mennonite in North America seeing all the evidences the court could bring forth? I wish there was a way to give them some privacy. Just because a criminal foisted them into the spotlight, doesn't mean they asked for it. Neither does it mean they want everyone knowing all the details of the case.

And yes, my experience is that law enforcement really does treat secondary victims well in these cases.

It is kind of a fine line that law enforcement has to tread. Prosecutors and the criminal justice system are faced with a lot of competing issues and they have to tread a fairly careful path. It isn't an easy job.

On the one hand, we don't turn prosecutions over to victim's families for good reason. That would amount to retribution rather than justice and would produce all sorts of inequitable results if one's punishment depended on the degree of vengeance or forgiveness of the victims and not the actual crime committed. And wealthy victims would be able to extract a lot more vengeance than poor victims.

But at the same time, we don't convict people on the basis of secret evidence. Part of what keeps prosecutions fair and equitable is the fact that they are public. So that the entire public can judge the results of justice undertaken on its behalf. So criminal justice is by its very nature public. And that means victims are sometimes thrust into the limelight. It is unavoidable.

[mike]

I see. I didn't know that. I think as a parent I can understand why. At the same time, the crime is what it is. I can understand and appreciate that law enforcement considers the wishes of the victim's family in cases like these.

Part of the picture, I think, also become clearer when you put your self in the shoes of the victims family. Do you really want all your friends, and relatives and every Mennonite in North America seeing all the evidences the court could bring forth? I wish there was a way to give them some privacy. Just because a criminal foisted them into the spotlight, doesn't mean they asked for it. Neither does it mean they want everyone knowing all the details of the case.

And yes, my experience is that law enforcement really does treat secondary victims well in these cases.

It is unfortunate that you can't bring charges like that with some privacy.

God bless these people. I can't imagine their suffering.

[Signtist]

I can't imagine their suffering.

I wish nobody could.

[Josh]

I see. I didn't know that. I think as a parent I can understand why. At the same time, the crime is what it is. I can understand and appreciate that law enforcement considers the wishes of the victim's family in cases like these.

Part of the picture, I think, also become clearer when you put your self in the shoes of the victims family. Do you really want all your friends, and relatives and every Mennonite in North America seeing all the evidences the court could bring forth? I wish there was a way to give them some privacy. Just because a criminal foisted them into the spotlight, doesn't mean they asked for it. Neither does it mean they want everyone knowing all the details of the case.

And yes, my experience is that law enforcement really does treat secondary victims well in these cases.

It is unfortunate that you can't bring charges like that with some privacy.

God bless these people. I can't imagine their suffering.

Courtrooms really shouldn’t be on TV. It should be limited to whoever shows up in person to attend the court case

[Ernie]

It looks like jury deliberations resume Wednesday. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/techn ... 72237.html

[mike]

Guilty of murder.

Air Force Airman Mark Gooch Convicted of Murdering Mennonite Woman Sasha Krause

[mike]

Flagstaff jury convicts airman in death of Mennonite woman

[Grace]

This is so sad, for everyone involved, for Sasha's parents, Mark Gooch's parents and for Mark himself. All because of a senseless hatred in an unredeemed heart and mind.