Somerville News Coverage of MS-13 Arrest

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

I think that the Somerville News piece about the recent MS-13 arrest did an unusually good job depicting the grey area of morality that is so often ignored by the media in their coverage of criminals. I know that such an opinion is commonly viewed by the masses as bleeding-heart, or liberal-guilt, or what have you, but I can honestly say I am proud to be part of a community that recognizes the human side of all people, and I feel this article is an excellent example of that. I do not know specifically what actions Morales was responsible for as a gangster, and I do not question that MS-13 is a very powerful and dangerous entity; but because of this article perhaps a few more people also reflect on the fact that no-one is only a thug.

I would welcome your thoughts.

Comments

[ron_newman]

My wording was sloppy, I agree. The main point is that if he's suspected of a violent crime, and there's enough evidence to prosecute, that's what he should have been arrested for. There is no need for ICE to be involved at all.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

I think it's a question of resources, unfortunately. A federal agency with cash to spend and collated databases is in a better position to find him in the first place. I agree that in a perfect world, a violent offender would be apprehended by local authorities in a timely enough manner that he'd never even float an alert in a federal database, but that often isn't the case.