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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – The school shooting yesterday at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison reminds me of a tragic story that I reported on many years ago.
The only thing the two stories have in common is that in both cases the killer took their own life.
Aside from the senseless killings, the suicide of the person who is responsible brings things to a sudden end. Too quickly. And while I acknowledge the pain of families and friends whose innocent loves ones were killed, there is something therapeutic about a trial. About hearing the word “guilty.” There is a certain satisfaction that comes out of tragedy in holding evil to account.
The story that I remember was the Dryden cheerleader murders in upstate New York. In 1986 two best friends – cheerleaders at Dryden High School – were house-sitting while one of their parents were away. A neighbor broke in, murdered them, and dismembered their bodies. Their remains were found scattered in the woods near the suspect’s hunting cabin. When he was arrested, it was widely speculated that police didn’t follow proper procedure. He was not placed on suicide watch. He was left with his belt and shoelaces. He hung himself in his jail cell.
And, just like that, the story was over. No trial. No evidence to be presented. No punishment. It was as if a horrible person got away with something; it was as if the justice system was cheated.
The Madison school shooting feels the same way to me. Someone with a gun commits a horrible act. But the incident ends with the shooter turning the gun on themself. When a tragedy like this happens, I want justice to be served. Instead the news cycle is sped up. It will become just one of 315 school shooting incidents around the country this year. In a few days most of us will move onto the next headline.
I don’t want a trial to catch a glimpse into the motives of madmen. There’s no need. Sometimes evil acts speak for themselves. To me, perhaps this is biblical. “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.”
Chris Conley
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