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Another look at Carmelita’s case
These two lovers tangled up in their love-hate relationship remind me of two mischievous students. At the beginning, I would restrain them from each other. Then I would send both of them to cool off. That is all! These two would have warmed up toward each other over time. They would even have gotten back together again—lovers’ disputes do not last long! It is such a banal fact of life.
If harshness was needed, I would assign her a few months’ probation. I am sure, she would have re-evaluated her actions and it would have been the most effective self-lesson for her. One more time, it is more likely that they would have gotten together again! As I heard, the male victim was asking the judge again and again that she be forgiven.
But what I learned was 20 years of prison for her without right to ask for any kind of relief! She got her own life, her family’s life, her children’s lives totally destroyed. Her five children have gotten scattered in different continents. Now, she is being held in prison, she is eating at the expense of taxpayers’ money instead of earning her own money and paying her taxes. Come on, dear citizens, it is out of any proportion! Do we really want it?
OK, what has been done is done. Let us look at the future! It is never too late to hope for justice. First of all, the case could be reopened and reviewed at any time due to previously unknown factors or understudied circumstances. The parties in the process and the honorable judge have the power to initiate a reopening of the case.
Secondly, our governor could exercise his exclusive right and pardon her, taking into account the family’s interests and the fact that she has learned her lessons the hard way and she will never go into uncontrolled emotional outbursts again. Having served years, months and days has taught her how sweet is to be out of the walls and how important is being in control of one’s self no matter what is happening around.
Diego Pua
Tanapag, Saipan
