by Carolyn Abell
Mere words cannot describe the contempt I feel for Joran van der Sloot. This sneering, cold-blooded murderer deserves far and away more punishment than any civilized justice system will give him.
There is no doubt that he killed Natalee Holloway five years ago. But due to the Arubans’ totally inept handling of the case, followed by our own FBI’s botched attempt at a “sting” operation that attempted to extract not only a confession, but the location of Holloway’s body and details of her murder, Van der Sloot managed to collect enough cash up front to leave Aruba and flee to Peru, where he promptly robbed and killed another young woman, Stephany Flores.
Now this ruthless, unrepentant killer is trying to finagle a deal to be transferred to an Aruban prison to escape what he believes is a life-threatening situation in the Peruvian jail where he currently resides. Well, please pass the tissues so I wipe my eyes!
Offering once again to disclose details of the Holloway murder and location of the body, in order to be sent to Aruba, Van der Sloot, who already has a history of repeatedly lying about this during the investigation, says he is ready to “deal.” Evidently fear for his own sorry life (“sorry” here being used in the southern vernacular, meaning “no-good,’ “worthless,” and “contemptible”) has prompted him to try to bargain his way out of the current situation by promising the truth this time.
Peruvian officials disappoint me. They appear to be encumbered by similar standards to our own U.S., whereby we must treat hardened criminals in a “humane” manner, regardless of how savage their crimes. To allow such a miscreant, who clearly loves the international limelight, to continue to manipulate authorities with his promises and attempts to negotiate for more comfortable accommodations, is totally misguided. I simply don’t believe in coddling confessed serial killers, especially the likes of this self-centered, psychotic thug, who has shown absolutely no remorse, and whose only concern is his personal comfort. He probably thinks that back in Aruba, with his family connections, he could perhaps arrange for a comfortable private cell furnished with amenities, or possibly even manage a jail break.
From the scenes on television, however, the Peruvian citizens want blood. With an airtight case against him there is no reason for Peru to hand over Van der Sloot to Aruba, unless the U.S. Government exerts pressure on them. In fact, from the amount of anger demonstrated by the Peruvians, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if some vigilante sniper there decided to administer the people’s brand of justice.
I truly feel sympathy for Beth Twitty, the mother of Natalee Holloway, and her need for closure. But I also feel that there are some cases where the Old Testament injunction of “an eye for an eye” should be the guiding principle. There are times when mercy is appropriate for criminals, but only when true remorse is evident. Nobody who has demonstrated such depraved indifference to human life deserves mercy.
Copyright June 2010
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