R.I.P.
This morning I learned that one of my clients passed away. She was charged with accessory after the fact to a murder and the trial was set for next Monday. Although we were confident that she would be found not guilty, she was understandably concerned about the prosecution.
Her prosecution was unjustified and unnecessary - there was no evidence that she had committed the crime she was charged with (accessory after the fact involves knowingly assisting the person who committed the principle crime, by harboring them or assisting them in hiding or destroying evidence), and it was clear to me that law enforcement charged her only in an attempt to put pressure on their main suspect.
Now she will never be vindicated by a jury in open court.
It is a reminder that those we label as "Defendant" are in fact human beings, with hopes and dreams, families, and lives. It is a shame that her last days were spent in fear and with the cloud of such a terrible accusation hanging over her.
