I have written about this story several times.
I have one called PROUD and FORGIVENESS as well. I don't like the idea of "could be" defining this situation though - to be honest. And I can say without doubt, that my personal experience is that they are not BOTS.
I have had literally hundreds of emails, messages, and been trolled by people who have attacked me for not liking my opinion. Two in particular have been extremely persistent.
I feel for the deceased family and cannot imagine what this must be like, but equally it was not premeditated murder, it was poor decision making and a mistake. By a young man / boy. 24-years sentence fixes nothing. It just punishes. It brings nobody back. It adds hurt but removes none.
I think this decision to punish goes to the heart of what is wrong with USA justice and an over zealous desire to punish.
There are hundreds of papers on the negative effect of prison and incarceration, and more enlightened countries are adopting various alternatives which are proving far more beneficial, with lower costs to the taxpayer.
I equally do accept your points about BOTS and the need to sift them out. Sometimes though, people take to a case because it "hits home" ... and the reasons are inexplicable.
This is one of those cases. It did it to me and I became invested. Why not others, and more than the 9% your example is suggesting.
Thank you for a brilliant enlightening article though
