UPDATE: Charges filed against tattoo artist in Stockelman case. And for more detailed information, please see the latest news from The Republic.
Those wanting to see the photo... scroll down to the bottom of the post.
*UPDATE:
I'm updating this. And insisting that you read the update before you read anything else. Because, there is something important that I believe should be shared.
A entire family grieved over the murder of 10 year old Katie Collman. And those that loved her took their grief and used it to create something beautiful, something inspired by the love they have for her. I think it's important to share that. To remind everyone that evil doesn't always breed more evil, and that sometimes out of the most horrific pain comes the most endearing tributes.
So, as you continue to read this story, keep in the mind the loss that was suffered, and the good that was done in Katie's name.
re·venge (rĭ-vĕnj') pronunciation
tr.v., -venged, -veng·ing, -veng·es.
1. To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).
2. To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
n.
1. The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation.
2. Something done in vengeance; a retaliatory measure.
3. A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness.
4. An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat.
Sometimes, the pain of those we love is too much to bare. Sometimes, it seems as if there is no real justice, that nothing will ever even out the injustice done against the punishment of the convicted. And the burning feeling inside can often make us believe that it is up to us to avenge the ones we love.
Not to long ago, I told you about Anthony Stockelman. He had plead guilty to molesting and murdering a 10 year old Indiana girl.
Between the time Katie went missing, and Stockelman plead guilty, there were a lot of bumps in the case, and every single one of them seemed to make the case even more difficult to handle. Nothing is ever easy about the gruesome murder of an innocent child, and there is no punishment that can ever be considered enough justice in a case like this, Stockelman pleading guilty in order to avoid the death penalty just made matters more sickening. Why should he be spared? So he admitted it, does that really make him less deserving of death? Personally, I don't believe so. Sadly, the system doesn't always see things my way.
I know, this case seems a bit older, and I have no new links to offer you. In fact, there's little reason for me to even be writing this post.
Except:
I once was speaking to someone and the conversation drifted to child molesters. And how there was really no way to ever really know who was one, and who wasn't. Even the sex offender registry has loop holes, and let's face it- the chances that you could spot one on the street just by looking at them is relatively low.
At some point, we reached the conclusion that perhaps these monsters should be branded. Much like the scarlet letter once forced upon Hester Prynne, we could somehow come up with a sign, visible to all who seen it, that would inform everyone that the wearer was a predator. Not to be trusted. One to watched. Of course, the idea took sort of a twist of it's own, and it was suggested that perhaps a study of how the cowboys marked their cattle should considered. As the conversation cooled, we both knew that it was something that would never happen. It wasn't PC, and I'm sure that the ACLU would be all over the case, right there with the rest of the "give them treatment and forgive them" advocates.
So here I am, sitting back typing this all out. Trying to figure out how it is that I am suppose to say that this is wrong. I'm suppose to say that we, as civilized people, do not take justice into our own hands. We don't seek out revenge, and we don't over step the law in order to avenge out loved ones. I'm suppose to say that this is wrong, that it is criminal, and all of that other crap. But, I can't. Because I understand the desire behind it. Because I imagine that Katie could have been my child, my sister, my childhood friend. And when I think that- I can't get to the point where I'm suppose to condemn them for their actions. I know the law... and I long to abide by it always, but it doesn't erase the fact that I know a portion of the pain Katie's family suffered, and that makes it hard to not side with them.
When the "justice" handed down by the court fails to ease the pain of losing someone as loved as Katie, when the sentence imposed seems to fall short of erasing the knowledge of how her death came about- how do you respond?
There's a Latin Proverb that says "revenge is a confession of pain", which I believe is extremely fitting in this case. Whenever you deal with a crime against a child, you produce more than just one victim. In Katie's case, everyone who knew her, everyone who loved her was touched by this crime. They will all bare the pain of knowing her suffering, the anger over her death, and the never ending emptiness that her murder has caused. We all understand the desire to avenge those who have been wronged, to desire revenge for a heinous crime committed upon someone we love.
So, I'm back to attempting to figure out a way to say that no crime is ever okay, that it's best to leave these things in the hands of the law... all while knowing that I sympathize with the guilty person in this case (or the less guilty I should say) . Normally, I like to be on one side or another. I like to keep it very black and white- either something is wrong, or it's not. Forgive me if I can't really do that in this case. But my heart just really isn't into condemning someone who was acting out in a "confession of pain" such as this.
The image below is Anthony Stockelman, the ruthless monster responsible for Katie's sexual assault and murder. The photo was taken after his conviction, and after a relative of Katie's managed to leave a permanent reminder of what Stockelman has done- upon his forehead. It seems that the two were serving time in the same jail when a situation allowing them to come into contact with each other occurred.
Now, the details are still uncertain at this time, but it is believed that the markings are actually a tattoo. I've looked at the photo, and I'm pretty convinced based upon the information that I have, that it's real.
Sometimes revenge isn't sweet- it's just the only way to release some of the pain that has been afflicted upon us.
For those needing, or wanting the image in a larger size, the owner of Crabapple.cc has kindly uploaded it for me, and made it available for download.
Other than the cousin being charged, and given additional time, it seems the tattoo is also being removed, free of charge by a doctor, for more detailed information, please see the latest news from The Republic.
Categories: predators, molesters, murders,
Those wanting to see the photo... scroll down to the bottom of the post.
*UPDATE:
I'm updating this. And insisting that you read the update before you read anything else. Because, there is something important that I believe should be shared.
A entire family grieved over the murder of 10 year old Katie Collman. And those that loved her took their grief and used it to create something beautiful, something inspired by the love they have for her. I think it's important to share that. To remind everyone that evil doesn't always breed more evil, and that sometimes out of the most horrific pain comes the most endearing tributes.
Katie's Playground was constructed in memory of 10 year-old Katie Collman, who was abducted in the small town of Crothersville, Indiana and later found murdered. Volunteers constructed a safe, handicap-assessable and community-built play area for children to gather and enjoy.
Katie's Playground was designed by local elementary students and Katie's classmates -- with the help of Marc Leathers of Leathers and Associates, an architectural firm that specializes in playgrounds worldwide -- and was built by volunteers. Beginning with a child's imagination, our dream was to erect a playground at the local school that would be a source of ongoing community pride.- From Katie's Playground.
So, as you continue to read this story, keep in the mind the loss that was suffered, and the good that was done in Katie's name.
re·venge (rĭ-vĕnj') pronunciation
tr.v., -venged, -veng·ing, -veng·es.
1. To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).
2. To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
n.
1. The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation.
2. Something done in vengeance; a retaliatory measure.
3. A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness.
4. An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat.
Sometimes, the pain of those we love is too much to bare. Sometimes, it seems as if there is no real justice, that nothing will ever even out the injustice done against the punishment of the convicted. And the burning feeling inside can often make us believe that it is up to us to avenge the ones we love.
Not to long ago, I told you about Anthony Stockelman. He had plead guilty to molesting and murdering a 10 year old Indiana girl.
Katlyn "Katie" Collman was found dead in a stream near Seymour Sunday. She'd been missing since Tuesday, and Thursday, nearly 48 hours after her disappearance, an Amber Alert was issued.
Between the time Katie went missing, and Stockelman plead guilty, there were a lot of bumps in the case, and every single one of them seemed to make the case even more difficult to handle. Nothing is ever easy about the gruesome murder of an innocent child, and there is no punishment that can ever be considered enough justice in a case like this, Stockelman pleading guilty in order to avoid the death penalty just made matters more sickening. Why should he be spared? So he admitted it, does that really make him less deserving of death? Personally, I don't believe so. Sadly, the system doesn't always see things my way.
I know, this case seems a bit older, and I have no new links to offer you. In fact, there's little reason for me to even be writing this post.
Except:
I once was speaking to someone and the conversation drifted to child molesters. And how there was really no way to ever really know who was one, and who wasn't. Even the sex offender registry has loop holes, and let's face it- the chances that you could spot one on the street just by looking at them is relatively low.
At some point, we reached the conclusion that perhaps these monsters should be branded. Much like the scarlet letter once forced upon Hester Prynne, we could somehow come up with a sign, visible to all who seen it, that would inform everyone that the wearer was a predator. Not to be trusted. One to watched. Of course, the idea took sort of a twist of it's own, and it was suggested that perhaps a study of how the cowboys marked their cattle should considered. As the conversation cooled, we both knew that it was something that would never happen. It wasn't PC, and I'm sure that the ACLU would be all over the case, right there with the rest of the "give them treatment and forgive them" advocates.
So here I am, sitting back typing this all out. Trying to figure out how it is that I am suppose to say that this is wrong. I'm suppose to say that we, as civilized people, do not take justice into our own hands. We don't seek out revenge, and we don't over step the law in order to avenge out loved ones. I'm suppose to say that this is wrong, that it is criminal, and all of that other crap. But, I can't. Because I understand the desire behind it. Because I imagine that Katie could have been my child, my sister, my childhood friend. And when I think that- I can't get to the point where I'm suppose to condemn them for their actions. I know the law... and I long to abide by it always, but it doesn't erase the fact that I know a portion of the pain Katie's family suffered, and that makes it hard to not side with them.
When the "justice" handed down by the court fails to ease the pain of losing someone as loved as Katie, when the sentence imposed seems to fall short of erasing the knowledge of how her death came about- how do you respond?
There's a Latin Proverb that says "revenge is a confession of pain", which I believe is extremely fitting in this case. Whenever you deal with a crime against a child, you produce more than just one victim. In Katie's case, everyone who knew her, everyone who loved her was touched by this crime. They will all bare the pain of knowing her suffering, the anger over her death, and the never ending emptiness that her murder has caused. We all understand the desire to avenge those who have been wronged, to desire revenge for a heinous crime committed upon someone we love.
So, I'm back to attempting to figure out a way to say that no crime is ever okay, that it's best to leave these things in the hands of the law... all while knowing that I sympathize with the guilty person in this case (or the less guilty I should say) . Normally, I like to be on one side or another. I like to keep it very black and white- either something is wrong, or it's not. Forgive me if I can't really do that in this case. But my heart just really isn't into condemning someone who was acting out in a "confession of pain" such as this.
The image below is Anthony Stockelman, the ruthless monster responsible for Katie's sexual assault and murder. The photo was taken after his conviction, and after a relative of Katie's managed to leave a permanent reminder of what Stockelman has done- upon his forehead. It seems that the two were serving time in the same jail when a situation allowing them to come into contact with each other occurred.
Now, the details are still uncertain at this time, but it is believed that the markings are actually a tattoo. I've looked at the photo, and I'm pretty convinced based upon the information that I have, that it's real.Sometimes revenge isn't sweet- it's just the only way to release some of the pain that has been afflicted upon us.
For those needing, or wanting the image in a larger size, the owner of Crabapple.cc has kindly uploaded it for me, and made it available for download.
Other than the cousin being charged, and given additional time, it seems the tattoo is also being removed, free of charge by a doctor, for more detailed information, please see the latest news from The Republic.
Categories: predators, molesters, murders,