As expected, the Massachusetts courts have vacated the convictionof John Geoghan. There is a legal custom of vacating a conviction if the accused dies mid-appeal and his attorney requests it. In reality, it means nothing. But many people will try to make it out to be a slap in the face or a grave injustice.
If justice is supposed to the be the incarceration and punishment of criminals, then Geoghan got that. In fact, he got life in prison, dying in his cell. But for those who are more interested in vengeance than justice, then Geoghan’s murder robbed them of the satisfaction of knowing that Geoghan was suffering.
I understand that Geoghan gravely hurt many people, but festering hatred and a desire to exact revenge only hurts those who harbor that in their hearts. Rather than inflict pain on their tormentor, they torment themselves. It’s time to move on. Trust in the mercy and justice of the Lord.
