For Want of a Nail

John Brownstone of Mt. Holly, NC, who wants me to mention his name, has submitted this statement to me.

"If Atwater and Lovette had been put in jail instead of on probation, Eve Carson would be alive today."

I could not get that statement out of my mind.

While pondering this I came across this information in the NC Wanted website. There is a link provided on this page for your convenience if you want to check it out.

An arrest in 2005 earned Atwater a sentence of 3 years probation. In June of 2007 Atwater had violated his probation by possession of a firearm. But it took until November of 2007 for his probation officer to process the charge for this offense. This should have placed Atwater in jail, as per the terms of his probation, but many clerical errors worked to prevent that from happening. He wasn't arrested for this violation until last month, on February 20.

On March 3 of this year Atwater and his probation officer showed up for court, where he was to be tried and sentenced for violation of probation. But yet another clerical error kept him from going to jail.
They could not find the court records in the 3rd floor courtroom of the county courthouse, and had determined the records were sent to the wrong courtroom, so the trial was rescheduled for March 31.
Where were the court records sent to?
Get ready for this.
To the 4th floor courtroom of the same building.

If you think I'm making this up, check out "MURDER SUSPECT WAS IN COURT 2 DAYS BEFORE CARSON'S DEATH" Posted March 13, 2008, Updated March 14, 2008, in the NC Wanted website at www.ncwanted.com.
There is was, right before my eyes. I couldn't believe it.

Again, instead of being put in jail, Atwater was turned loose, and Eve Carson was killed 2 days later on March 5.
One floor above the courtroom was the nail that was needed to shoe the horse for the rider who was needed to win the battle.

It is this writer's opinion that too many nonviolent offenders are in prison, while too many violent offenders are not.
Which would you rather have locked away?