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July 23, 2009

The Worthington Case – Dad Might Net A Year In Jail

This is still breaking at this time, but as various local PDX news outlets are telling us, the trial in the case of Ava Worthington has been decided, the jury finally breaking its deadlock.

The Worthingtons were acquitted of manslaughter in the death of their daughter. Carl Worthington, the father, was convicted of criminal mistreatment, a misdemeanor, which might carry up to a year's sentence.

Slap on the wrist or appropriate punishment? Each one of us who care about such things must decide for ourselves.

However you decide, I think the statement by the presiding juror didn't come as a surprise, much:

This wasn't easy for any of us. They're people they're not monsters. They're not bad people they're just like anybody else and it's the whole story of their lives and how they are as people in their community that really for me made the difference.

I'll concede that they aren't "montsters" or "bad people". When you think about it, those are such incredibly relative terms that you can read them to mean anything you want.

I'd submit to the court and jury of public discourse that while you cannot necessarily brand the Worthingtons "bad people" or "monsters" because of what the did and the consequences, you certainly cannot necessarily say they are good people or did not commit monstrous conduct.

To me, a good person – a good parent – would get a doctor for their child when seriously ill, regardless of faith or creed.

The presiding juror said they felt there should be some repercussions.

Well, I suppose there were.

Some.

Enough? Like I said, you decide.

Posted by The Chinuk at July 23, 2009 05:09 PM