A Dead Fetus Trumps Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Well, it looks like Scott Peterson was found guilty last week (big surprise, like he ever had a chance). Trust me, when a made-for-TV movie comes out one month after your trial date has been set, you can pretty much forget about receiving a fair and unbiased trail. Do you really think people are gonna even consider the defendant NOT guilty after seeing a made-for-TV movie of the events leading up to the murder? Pphhllt. Hardly. TV is our society's barometer for everything these days. It's so much easier than reading a newspaper or waiting for that boring thing called "proof."

I remember when this "hard-hitting" murder case first hit the airwaves, back in April of last year. My first thought was "Dang! He's dreamy." Then my second thought was "A married woman was murdered. DERR! It was the husband. It's always the husband." But that was just my head talking (in both cases). I didn't let my emotions make my decision of guilty or not guilty. I reserved that for when I saw some actual evidence, in order to make an informed decision. Then I found out... she was pregnant. That changed the entire dynamic. I knew right away, what with America's worshipping at the altar of all things baby, that this would be one case that wouldn't be going away anytime soon. Naturally, I immediately saw the usual parade of sorrowful strangers ready for their close-ups, bearing tiny stuffed teddy bears and balloon bouquets. Yep, there was definitely a "child" involved, or in this case a fetus. "Unborn child" was on everyone's lips and they wanted to see someone pay. Anyone, really, just as long as someone paid for this fetus' heinous murder. Don't forget, there was a fetus involved. A baby. An angel from Heaven. Don't forget the baby. To seal the deal, this baby had a name: "Connor" (insert cacophany of "awwwwww"s here). Forget jury selection. Get a rope! We don't need no stinkin' justice!

I find it fascinating how whenever someone is killed or dies prematurely (esp. women and children), how they are automatically nominated for sainthood no matter the situation. Regardless of facts. Wow. This world must be filled with some extraordinary dead people. Maybe that's why the news is always so upbeat and positive. If only all the people with a pulse could be so saintly. Am I applauding violence or premature deaths? Of course not. It's always a sad and terrible thing when people die violently and/or prematurely.

All I can say is thank goodness we paid as much attention to Kristine Johnson's, not to mention Chandra Levy's homicides. I think we can all rest easier knowing those homicides were solved. Oh yeah, they WEREN'T. Though they both happened around the same time that Lacy Peterson's body was found. Sorry gals, you're pretty, but you're no competition for a dead suburban mommy.

So, as it turns out, the jury convicted Peterson of first-degree murder of his wife, Laci, and the second-degree murder of the fetus she was carrying. The jury also agreed on a “special circumstance” that calls for capital punishment — namely that he killed another person — the fetus — while committing a felony — the intentional and premeditated killing of his wife. Personally, I find the whole death-of-a-fetus angle more than a little disturbing. Right now, all those who wanted to see "dead baby justice," it all seems hunky dory. However, I'm afraid it's just going to set up a precedent for future arguments from the Christian Right that "abortion is murder," and in the process set the groundwork for reversing Roe vs. Wade. So, before you break out the warm hugs and cheers of joy, keep in mind history has a way of coming back and biting you on the ass. We'll just have to wait and see what the future holds.

*Peterson's penalty phase is scheduled to begin Monday, November 22nd.