The slow-grinding wheels of justice are no doubt especially
frustrating for the family and loved ones close to the victim
We sympathize with the loved ones of Franca Barsi. As they watched the fourth delay in the hearing to enter a plea for former Garlic Festival queen’s accused killer, they must have been extremely frustrated.
After all, Ms. Barsi, 38, was found dead in her Westwood Drive condominium on Sept. 13, more than six months ago. With her murder, her 10-year-old son became motherless. Her boyfriend, David Vincent Reyes, has confessed to the crime, Gilroy police say.
We can’t blame them for wondering why this relatively early step in the criminal justice process is taking so long.
To Ms. Barsi’s loved ones, we offer these thoughts.
First, Mr. Reyes, 39, is not free on bond. Due to his long history of trouble with the law and the serious nature of the charges he currently faces, he is waiting through the repeated delays behind bars.
That must be some small comfort, at least.
But in the bigger picture, it’s important to remember that our criminal justice system is designed to protect the accused as well as to mete out justice to the guilty on behalf of their victims and society. That dual purpose is a critical component of our criminal justice system, but it can lead to frustration and delays.
Making matters worse, the criminal justice system is overloaded. The combination only magnifies the delays like those we’re seeing in Mr. Reyes’ case.
The delays and bureaucracy can try the humanity, compassion and patience of even the most long-suffering participant in our criminal justice system, let alone those suffering raw wounds like the death of a loved one.
The criminal justice system can deliver a form of justice, and we hope the process goes more smoothly in Mr. Reyes’ case in the future.
But because the criminal justice system cannot deliver closure, forgiveness, or a sense of peace to victims of any crime, the delays inherent in the system needn’t prevent victims of any crime from achieving them.
