Another American Tragedy

In my opinion the tragedy of Ju’ane Kennell’s life should be recognized as an American tragedy because it is not only the story of Ju’ane, but of countless others who have also fallen through the cracks of systemic racism and inequality in the American Justice Systems.

Under the guise of being tough on crime,for several decades our justice system has been based on the premise of “lock them up and throw away the key.” Guilt rarely plays a part in it. To be accused under the current American Justice System is to be deemed guilty, and thereby convict is merely a formality. Police and prosecutors, more and more, are rewarded for the number of arrest and convictions they can accrue, and will go to any lengths to “get their pound of flesh.” Justice plays no part in any of this.

The emphasis on uncovering guilt, has morphed into an unholy process of cherry picking evidence in an effort to shape a story that fits a preconceived narrative of guilt, rather than a desire to uncover the truth.

Anytime a person searches to be right, the narrative of truth will always be perverted.

Young men and women are exploited throughout their lives and ultimately discarded in what can only be described as one of the American Justice System’s trashcans.

The failure of the police to properly investigate crimes is not an anomaly.It is actually commonplace,and is often a result of the poor policies routinely practiced throughout the United States.

Even though the U.S. Supreme Court has initiated a so called “individuals rights revolution” that placed restrictions on police and prosecution activities,in a series of rulings on due process that applied the Bill of Rights to state actions, the court extended the exclusionary rule to the states, forbidding the use at trial of evidence obtained unlawfully, or manufactured by the use of perjured testimony by paid informants or the withholding of exculpatory evidence by the prosecutor or police. The decisions of the Missouri judicial systems show direct disregard for the U.S. Supreme Court rulings on due process,and continues to control the day-to-day investigative activities of police, as well as, the unethical activities and practices of prosecutors.

Again this is not just the story of Ju’ane Kennell it is an unfortunate American story, because it’s actually the story of us all.

If you don’t holler, nobody will know that you’re in pain!