OPINION: Don't forget Justine Winter was a child when she took lives

I’m writing in response to the letter regarding the release of Justine Winter.

First, let me say that I feel a tremendous sympathy for the family and friends of the three deceased people who lost their lives in the tragic accident. There is no doubt that they will feel that pain indefinitely. We all wish we could change it for them, but we can’t. In a perfect world, perhaps we could restore their loved ones or do that day over... and make it right. We all know that’s impossible!

Let’s suppose for a moment that Justine Winter had not gone out in her vehicle that night or at that particular time. Let’s consider how everyone might have felt if the accident had occurred because of the the weather and road conditions. The result could have been the same.

Justine Winter is involved, though. She was a “child” when this horrible thing happened. Justine, a teenager, with unquenchable hormones and untamed drama grasping her life for a few moments. Justine, a teenager, living on emotion rather than common sense. Justine, a typical teenager caught up in a criminal act. I just can’t bring myself to believe that she set out that night with the sinister intention of killing three people she didn’t even know. I must say that I feel deep sympathy for her family and friends as well. In a perfect world they might relive this day with a different outcome too.

For many years children have been allowed to drive at age 16 and are not yet matured as an adult. They have the physical and mental ability, but are yet immature emotionally. There is a reason that insurance is so costly for driving teenagers. They quite frequently are overtaken with emotion. For the most part, it’s what rules their lives. They are not yet old enough to make their own decisions. That’s why they are still living under their parents’ guidance. Why, then, do we take it for granted that they are capable of driving? Yet, they are out there in full force behind the wheel of “killing machines.” Some are ready, but some are not.

In my thinking, Justine Winter was not a criminal, but an “unthinking” child. Is it right, then, for us to set out to destroy her life? If you say four years is not enough for the three lives, then just how many years would make it right in your view? Twenty years is not enough for one life, so are you suggesting that she remain incarcerated for life? The value of those three lives lost is beyond what anyone could afford. Justine couldn’t live enough years to pay for them.

Are you trying to say that Justine should be punished as a criminal who purposely took a weapon and set out to kill? I think not. Her serving time cannot bring back the deceased. Nothing can. My prayer for their families is that God will give them peace and comfort and forgiveness. My prayer for Justine is that she will redeem herself by maturing and living a fruitful and functional life, with the possibility of affecting people in a positive way.

As for the parole board, I say, “Good for them.” The letter writer’s exaggerated claim of “tarring & feathering” them and running them out of town seems pretty extreme. And this just because their opinion was different than yours?

Joyce Baughman is a resident of Kalispell.