Delayed Justice

Well, at least it seems that way.  The news this last month has been nothing short of amazing when it comes to instances of delayed justice.  At the top of my list of wonder is the case of little Lativia Johnson.

And the Grand Rapids Press gets it right in a recent editorial assigning credit for the renewed investigation.  The police were and are committed to solving murders, and the murder of an innocent, and eight-yar-old child beggars the imagination: what kind of thinking could possibly lead to such a crime?

And there is another case of delivered justice in the murder of Eiljah “Todd” Butler some 4o years ago.   Friday the 13th, a jury decided that, yes, indeed, Richard Frank Thomas did it.  Here’s the Grand Rapids Press account.  Richard Frank Thomas shot and killed the young Marine who had spent only four days with his young wife.  That young woman is now older, and she says in the article that

“It’s been 40 years since Todd was killed, but this started when I was 13 and now I’m 60,” said Butler referring to Thomas’ relentless obsession with her.

Part of this is now over.  But the missing goes on for ever.

In the fray leading up to and then surrounding the film, there have been all kinds of things that I’ve blown right past…all with the intention of making note.

Foremost is the plea and conviction in the Lativia Johnson case. Barton Dieter of the Grand Rapids Press has followed that admirably. In this story from Dec. 19, Bobby Brown was sentenced for his part. Brown also served as a witness against convicted killer Robert Gaines. They will spend a fair amount of time in prison…but not long enough to satisfy Lativia’s mother.

Another thing I didn’t chronicle (but did attend) was Sgt. Terry McGee’s retirement party. Oh, it’s understandable, even expected, but sad in its way (and that may say more about me than it does about him). Sgt. McGee has certainly worked long enough (35 years) and more than hard enough, budgets are tight, it is the nature of things. And he’s going to be able to retire as a young enough man to take up some other work that gives also him satisfaction. But he was a cop’s cop: intelligent, humble, funny, deeply committed to his family, his profession, and his community. He retires with the gratitude of the community. I’m going to miss him in his role as police officer; I’ve threatened to buy him coffee. And I am certain he will still be serving the community; he carries with him a lot of the background of the crimes he covered, and he will be available for the new generation of detectives who will turn to him as they strive to finish up any matter in which justice has been delayed.

Dear Newaygo:

What a lovely place and what caring and thoughtful people! Thank you for our warm welcome this week when we came to present the film. The venue could not have been more perfect. You can call it a cafetorium if you want; I call it a perfect presentation space. And the assistance we received from school personnel..Lyn Shoemaker, principal Jackie Knight, all the support staff members, folks from Independent Bank who made popcorn available at no charge…. And on and on.

They had set up for about 350 people, I think, but by the time we were done I believe there were well more than 500…maybe even 600. The place was packed, SRO. And the new cold case team was there, too, looking for leads in all the right places.

The response was humbling. In fact, I was discommoded enough to neglect telling audience this after the first showing:

We are told in Micah 6:8 to DO JUSTICE, LOVE MERCY, and WALK HUMBLY with our God.

It’s time to do justice.

I believe that someone in that audience held the key to solving this murder of Shannon Marie Siders. That key information could unlock the case in a heartbeat. This could be finished today.

And for those who want a copy of the film, I’m now set up to take PayPal orders at this part of the site. For those of you who don’t want to–or can’t–use PayPal, contact me directly: david.schock@delayedjustice.com.

So, thank you, Newaygo, and I pray that this awful cloud that has remained overhead for 22 years will be soon dispelled. I know it can be.

I look forward to coming to your town again, but this time to celebrate.

Heather Peters at the Muskegon Chronicle said “Hey, where’s the trailer?” Well, I hadn’t even thought about it, really, but there was just enough time this afternoon to make it so. Thanks, Heather.

And we have heard from some folks in Newaygo who really want to see the film that 7 p.m. won’t work, but 9 will. Sooooooo, we will plan on two showings, 7 and 9. In the unlikely event both fill, how about an 11?

This is wonderful news…both the Shannon Sider murder investigation and the Gail and Rick Brink murder will each receive attention from cold case teams.  I’m thinkin’ that things are looking up. Yes, I knew that the Siders case was going to get this boost and when the news was released today it also gave a fillip to the story about the film premier on Wednesday evening.  We don’t want to take anything away from the work that this new team will undertake.

Here’s the press release from the MSP about the team (click on it to enlarge the image):

And things have been happening here, too.  Lots and lots of stories.  Among them:

First story of WOOD TV8

Second story from WOOD TV8

Muskegon Chronicle article

Story from WZZM TV 13.

And there are yet others to come, sometimes a little difficult to fit in when I am working away to finishing the film.  We’re getting there, though.

Now, the Brink case has long interested me.  I have hesitate to post the case because I had never received a clear indicatin from Rick Brink’s brother, Bud, that he wished me to.  I’m thinking that now, though, it should be fine…and then some.

Here’s a story about the new cold case team.  I know the detectives referenced here.  Oh, boy.  They want to solve this.

And here’s our posting on the case in We Remember.

More later, but for now…whew!

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