This particular editorial is about a murdered teacher in NJ. She was abducted so she was not killed at her school. The statement by her co-worker is troubling. It is a systemic problem- today, yesterday and tomorrow. Statement is in red.
PLEASE, SNITCH ON THE MURDERER. PLEASE REPORT ON THOSE PLANNING A MASSACRE.
Published March 28, 2007
It may have been just another "ordinary murder" except for the fact that a teacher, admired by her family, friends and colleagues had the presence of mind to record the events leading up to her death.
Therefore, in death, she probably reached more people than she would have in a lifetime of classroom teaching. And although the young man did not listen to her pleas for sparing her life, she did save his life. Her words, recorded, led to her murderer's apprehension. Without being captured, one can only imagine where he may have ended up had he not been stopped.
Who knows how many more people he may have killed, or if he would have been killed himself. He is in prison, but there are worse places than that to spend one's life He is still a young man who may never see freedom again, but he can change his heart, something Kathleen Weinstein tried to convince him to do.
Mrs. Weinstein's colleagues can learn something from her last words and actions also. The fact that Mrs. Weinstein recorded the conversation indicates she wanted someone to hear it. One of her former colleagues stated in the Press article "and I believe that she wouldn't have told on him. She would have probably tried to help him. She was the kind of person that when she gave her word she meant it."
No one can help another human being by hiding the crime committed. Mrs. Weinstein would have told. Her recording proves that. And in that recording is also proof of her commitment to being kind.
For there is nothing kind about letting people get away with murder. We can all learn a lesson from Mrs. Weinstein.
Marian R. Carlino
March 28, 2007
