George Sanders Case Summary

The case of George Sanders as sad as it turned out to be, the justice system that processed him each did they job it was supposed to do. The effectiveness of the justice system and how they work together determines the path of any case each have a role in putting the pieces of the puzzle together. In the Sanders case, the role of the Maricopa County Sherriff office being the first to be at the scene after the 911 call from Mr. Sanders in my opinion was done quite effectively, his Miranda Rights were read and his fourth amendment rights where followed. Giving to all the evidence at the scene, his confession, murder weapon and body, he was booked on 1st degree murder charges then further interrogated at the station, were he plea bargained

for a lesser count of manslaughter. The Maricopa Sherriff investigators continued to gather all the evidence to handle over to the prosecutor for formal charges. The “gate keepers” (NCJRS) make the decision to initiate the offender’s path through the legal system.
Mr.

Sander’s manslaughter plea carries a prison term up to 12 years. Prosecutor Blaine Gadow, his job is to protect the murder victim and prosecute the defendant, but after all the evidence presented and the plea for mercy from all the family members, to include the testimony of George Sanders himself, the prosecutor decided not to send sanders to prison instead recommending probation. The defense attorney did a wonderful job letting sanders tell his story in the stand. He stated, “I don’t know were our society is going to go with cases like this, judge” “At this point in time, what Mr. Sanders did was a crime.” However, “No one in this courtroom has forgotten the victim in this case” (Huffingtonpost, 2013) His story of a life with his best friend and wife of 62 years that ended in tragedy. Prosecutor Blaine Gadow being complimented for being “courageous” in recommending probation and allowing Sanders to walk out of the courtroom (Huffingtonpost, 2013). I do believe that his job was one of the hardest; giving the entirety of the circumstances in this case, his sentence can send mix signals to the community and criminals. Judge Ditworth, job was to make sure law is followed and the proper sentence was given to Mr. Sanders. Judge Ditsworth sentenced him to two years of unsupervised probation. His decision was based on “tempers justice with mercy” “It is very clear that he will never forget that his actions ended the life of his wife” Ditworth said

(Huffingtonpost, 2013).
In my opinion the Restorative Justice Perspective approach was used in this case, instead of punishing the offender, Mr.

Sander’s justice was focused on the needs of the victims as well as the community. The testimony from the victim’s family; in this case the adult grand-children played a vital role in this case, followed by the offender’s testimony. Making things as right as possible for all parties involved. In this case, the Defense Attorney refrained from any inadequate information. Her duty was to present the facts and non-bias judgments as part of this case. The Maricopa Sheriffs department played an important and critical role, they exercised discretion when arresting and investigating Mr. Sanders. The Maricopa Sherriff’s department had an ethical responsibility and made non-biased, non-discriminatory calls and protect citizens. The Prosecutor’s ethical dilemma was the decisions how to prosecute Mr. Sanders after hearing family members testified in his defense. Judge Dilworth’s ethics played an important part, his interpretation of the law without having personal feelings or agendas to interfere with his responsibility. Investigators, Defense Attorneys, Prosecutors and Judges each have the power to make a decision, enforce the law, protect the constitution and serve the public (Introduction to Criminal

Justice).
This case was complicated, and the law states that murder is considered a crime. The fact is that he shot his wife in the head and a crime was committed. Mercy killing is questionable in this case; shooting her in the head did not end her pain, when she ends up in the hospital for five days before she died. The act of putting to death painlessly or allowing to die, as by withholding extreme medical measures, a person or animal suffering form an incurable, especially a painful, disease or condition (Dictionary.com). Two years unsupervised probation is not justice, a crime was committed and he should have served some time in jail, in my opinion.
Works Cited
Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from Dictionary.com: http://dctionary.reference.com/browse/euthanasia
Huffingtonpost. (2013, 03 30). (B. Skoloff, Editor) Retrieved from www.huffingtonpost.com
Introduction to Criminal Justice. In E. Board (Ed.). Word of Wisdom.
NCJRS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=185194