Q: Can people really be reformed?

A:  We would like to believe that people can be reformed, or at least their conduct deterred. Sometimes this occurs by merely having contact with the criminal courts, sometimes it requires consequences like jail time or community service.  And sometimes unfortunately we are never able to make someone comply with the requirements of the law.  These career criminals are best just taken off the streets so that they don?t victimize others.

Q:  How do these murder cases affect you personally?

A:  Murder cases are unique because the consequences to the victim and the victim?s loved ones are so final.  The loss of a loved one can never be made whole by punishing the wrongdoer.  It is personally always very traumatic to share the loss with the victim?s family as you prosecute these types of cases.  The emotional level is always understandably high for the witnesses and families and one cannot help but be affected by it.

Q:  What, in your opinion causes people to cross the line to murder?

A:  People kill each other for a wide variety of reasons.  Love, hate, revenge, profit, evilness, you name it.  What causes one to cross the line from merely thinking about someone being gone and actually making them gone due to the results of those who are unable to control their impulses or are just purely sick or evil.

Q:  What, if anything, can you tell us about Rose Parker?s case?

A:  Rose Ann?s case was different for a variety of reasons.  She was caught up in the drug subculture with a boyfriend who was heavily involved in drug dealing and both of them had apparently fought on prior occasions.  The day of the killing, both had been drug bingeing for at least three days and were still under the influence.  According to Rose Ann, the victim had threatened to physically harm her and she basically made a preemptive strike and shot him.  Her lack of a criminal record, honesty at trial and desire to straighten out her life suggests that, if she is eventually released, we won?t see her in trouble again.