crimes from the past

[Dorothy Wood]

so like, say someone you know committed a crime over 30 years ago, and there's some evidence found that the person tried to commit the crime again about 25 years ago, but was not successful. but they weren't ever convicted for the original crime.

would you throw the shit away, or try to give it to the original victim of the crime?

I'm talking recordings and notes about planning said crime. they were hidden, but have been found.

[Lex Diamonds]

Way too vague. Either tell us the deets or keep it to yourself.

[Guy Incognito]

more information required. having said that dependant on the crime i would go to the police first before the victim.

[MC Moot]

statute of limitations may apply...

[Dorothy Wood]

meh.

*my dear old dad tampered with a lady's brakes. she was then in an accident that left her paralyzed. planned to do the same to my ma. his recent ex found some documentation.

so the question is: seek vengeance?


*alleged

[JoLovesMCA]

so like, say someone you know committed a crime over 30 years ago, and there's some evidence found that the person tried to commit the crime again about 25 years ago, but was not successful. but they weren't ever convicted for the original crime.

would you throw the shit away, or try to give it to the original victim of the crime?

I'm talking recordings and notes about planning said crime. they were hidden, but have been found.

It depends on the crime. If they tried to kill them or put their life in danger then I'd hand it over the authorities. Again depends on how severe the crime was though.

[MC Moot]

so the question is: seek vengeance?


*alleged

no...I but I do say seek justice...

[Dorothy Wood]

no...I but I do say seek justice...


yeah, I think I might stay out of it though. he has spent time in jail for other things. if his ex wants to pursue it, I guess it would be up to her. my mom is done with all of it, she left that life behind. the paralyzed woman, however, might feel differently.


honestly, I made the thread because I'm just kind of feeling weird about my dad and right before I found this stuff out, I was considering getting back in touch with him. I knew he was a terrible person, but the fact that there's tangible documentation of it now and that he's running around with some chick my age and back in the drug game again (according to his ex) makes me sad I guess. He's 66, I thought he was done. but I guess people don't really change.

it's sometimes just a little uncomfortable to think about being the progeny of a sociopath. luckily it hasn't put off any of my friends. I think my boyfriend likes me even more because of it. ha. he loves weirdos!


:/

[yeahwho]

Dammit, I thought you saw MACHETE!

[Dorothy Wood]

Dammit, I thought you saw MACHETE!

my dad is Machete :(

[Lex Diamonds]

the paralyzed woman, however, might feel differently.
Or not at all!

Thanks people, I'm here all week.

[Adam]

I would say; if the crime is still effecting the victim(s) now and there is now evidence to convict of the crime, then justice should be tried.

Its why, for example, after 400 years you get apologies for slavery. You can convict the dead but you can't punish them in that case but the ripples are still effected by the descendants of that community. Crimes of the past doesn't make it right just because time has passed, it can be taken into account if that person has shown remorse since but it can't be excused.

I used to steal things when I was a kid, say if evidence appeared now and I had to pay costs, I would be annoyed but accept it (I think). I wish I didn't go down that route but I was young, immature and hanging out with the wrong crowd. I trust justice enough to be fair. I would also imagine the cost to the courts and my current philosophy on life would be enough to let it go considering the relative small scale of the crime. The crime you said is much worse but should be tried in context in my opinion.

[Guy Incognito]

whilst i see the point of getting justice. Do you realy think the paralyzed woman wants to go thru it all again. She would have to if courts were involved, there's still a chance nothing might happen and she'll have had all those memories etc coming back and possibly cause distress. I know it would put your dad thru the ringer a bit even if not convicted but will it be any consolation to this woman 25 years down the line? I'm not sure.

[ms.peachy]

Do you realy think the paralyzed woman wants to go thru it all again.

Maybe, maybe not, but I don't think anyone else can determine that for her. She should be given the information, and then allowed to decide for herself whether or not to pursue any further action.

[jabumbo]

do you know the woman who was paralyzed personally? was she a friend of the family or anything?

[Documad]

If you decide not to do anything, don't feel bad about it. I don't know the law in your state, but usually you can't sue someone that long after the event happened. If you know the woman who was paralyzed, and if you have some reason to think that it would give her peace of mind to know, then I'd tell her. But it's just as likely to turn out badly, and it sounds like it could cause you some trouble you don't need.

I think there was a This American Life on this subject, but in that case, the wrong person had gone to prison for a long time for the crime. If that was a factor in your story, it would change my answer.

I feel terrible that you have to deal with this. It's tough enough to take care of things that are your own responsibility and you shouldn't have to deal with your dad's secrets. :(

[Dorothy Wood]

do you know the woman who was paralyzed personally? was she a friend of the family or anything?

I don't know her, she and my dad dated before he met my mom. Don't know who she is at all, but my dad's ex might.

If you decide not to do anything, don't feel bad about it. I don't know the law in your state, but usually you can't sue someone that long after the event happened. If you know the woman who was paralyzed, and if you have some reason to think that it would give her peace of mind to know, then I'd tell her. But it's just as likely to turn out badly, and it sounds like it could cause you some trouble you don't need.

I think there was a This American Life on this subject, but in that case, the wrong person had gone to prison for a long time for the crime. If that was a factor in your story, it would change my answer.

I feel terrible that you have to deal with this. It's tough enough to take care of things that are your own responsibility and you shouldn't have to deal with your dad's secrets. :(


aw, thanks doc. I think I'll keep out of it. There's not much I can do, maybe my dad's recent ex wife will do something.

I guess I can just be thankful my mom had a good enough head on her shoulders to leave before things got really bad. and that now she and I have pretty normal lives despite all the turmoil.


alright, I feel better. thanks guys!