Too Much to Lose

Soon after the jury verdicts of the Steven Avery trial were issued, the Sheriffs and deputies of both Manitowoc County and Calumet County were allowed to remove their court imposed muzzles. They spoke to clear themselves of accusations.

The issue, as the local reporters shouted, was the redemption of the accused policemen, Lieutenant James Lenk and Sergeant Andrew Colborn. Before the Avery trial began, Judge Patrick Willis allowed the defense to use a planted evidence theory, but restricted the finger pointing to Lenk and Colborn.

Now the various speakers have been proclaiming the innocence of these officers. The claim has been that there is too much to lose for this kind of misbehavior. There is indeed much to lose; liberty, property, reputation.

At the time of the search for Halbach, Steven Avery advanced a similar theory. He had far too much to lose. He was to receive compensation from the State, his lawsuit against Manitowoc County was in the Federal courts, he had a girlfriend, he had his freedom after many long years.

But, this was not a consideration. When the Halbach vehicle was located, Manitowoc County deputies’ radio chatter demonstrated that people appeared to know that Avery had committed a crime. The question was broadcast, “Has he been arrested yet?”

This is the kind of standard that is questionable. If it’s a member of our group, we consider the reasoning valid. If it’s a suspect, the same reasoning doesn’t count.

This kind of explanation them shows a huge flaw in the processes that occur when dealing with suspects. This type of thinking will inevitably lead to allowing perpetrators to go unfettered while the innocent are free to squander their resources while getting convicted.

And self-congratulatory behavior is dangerous. While, the jury delivered a guilty verdict for two of the three charges against Avery, this does not mean the case is over. If Avery did indeed do the crime that does not exonerate poor leadership. Nor, does it excuse the ineptness of the investigation.

Sheriffs Robert C. Hermann and Jerry Pagel may bask in the warm feeling of the trial results, but they, like any other elected official, would do well to be aware of the fickle nature of public approval.

The two individuals involved were indignant about these attacks on their reliability. Sorry, that is the nature of the job. Worse has happened to police officers and often the attacks on credibility were are based on political expedience rather that a fact-finding.

We must also be aware that prosecutors like former Winnebago County’s (Wisconsin) Joe Paulus exists. For all his machinations, it was small bribes that had him throwing away his liberty, reputation, and career.

Prosecutor Mike Nifong of Durham County, North Carolina probably did not expect his evidence manipulation to be discovered. It was, and his reputation is gone as is his post as prosecutor.

In March, 2006, the police chief in Troup, Texas was arrested for fabricating evidence and selling confiscated drugs. He threw away his career and pension.

And the beat goes on.

If most persons could consider consequences before committing a crime, the crime rate in this country would be very low. Obviously, consequences do not enter the process.

After the departments get done with their self-congratulatory stuff, I hope they can take a good hard look at the procedures and behavior used in this investigation. Professional reports writing and investigating techniques are important to all of us for apprehending dangerous criminals.

An officer testifying that he believes an alien put a key in a crime scene demonstrates leadership incompetence. Destruction of crime scene before proper documentation demonstrates poor leadership.

Defending the troops is generally good leadership. Denying responsibility is not.