No justice for peacekeepers

Daniel Stephen, the 16 year old boy that killed Steve, has been found incompetent to stand trial again. I am baffled and disappointed to my core over this finding. The entire judicial system is a bad joke. Lisa and I have attended every proceeding. Only to walk away confused by the inefficient legal system.

Since the accident, this boy (after 2+ years he is now a man), has graduated high school and gotten himself a job at an insurance company. The courts say he is incompetent because he has short term memory loss. He also does not remember the accident. I wish my sister didn't remember the accident. Didn't remember holding her husbands hand while he died. But she does.

I feel completely at a loss. I am afraid we are letting Steve down. We are letting his sons down. And maybe at the core I am somehow letting my sister down. There has to be more we can do. I am angry at the District Attorney. I have not for one second during any of this, felt she has had our best interest in mind. She never contacts my sister, never tells her what to expect, only answers to emails when she feels obligated. My question is simple, isn't she always obligated?

We have met with the Stephen's family on several occasions. I know that my sister has done her best to forgive. I am trying to do the same. But somehow our personal forgiveness has possibly given the impression that we don't need or want justice. That is simply not the case. How can I ever look my nephews in the eyes and tell them what has happened is okay?

This legal finding of incompetency is a travesty. Daniel knows my sister and can remember from time to time conversations they have had. He knows to ask about the boys. He knows what he did that night. He knows he is guilty. His own mother told us on the way out of the courthouse last time, that she thought he was competent. Beyond that what else is there?

Their defense attorney keeps saying to the judge that he can not remember the accident. Who remembers any accident? Especially after drinking the entire night? How can that be used as a legal defense?

At this moment I am completely hopeless over the situation. All I have ever wanted is for this boy to stand up and admit his guilt and take his consequences. I am not advocating a harsh sentence. I am not saying he isn't sorry for what he did. It is a basic human right to demand accountability. Well it seems we can demand all we want, but justice isn't for everyone.