A situation (what would you do)?

[concon02]

On another message board (music related) someone is wondering whether he should rat out a friend who supposedly killed his step brother for raping the dude's girlfriend. I talked to this kid on IM and he said he hasn't seen his friend in over a year but he's in the Marines in San Diego. I guess he stabbed his step brother in the head over this incident.

If you were in my position reading this guy's story about his friend... What would you do about? Anything? I don't think he's gonna give up his friend which is understandable.

[Fëanor]

Personally, I would do nothing.

I think rapists should suffer horrible, gruesome, slow, painful deaths.

But, since every bit of this information you found online (a music forum and instant messaging), I would say it is 99% BS and you don't have to worry about it. For all you know it's a 14 year-old kid making it all up based on whatever TV show he happens to be watching as he is typing.

[IMachU]

I would think even a rook homicide detective would be able to find out that info if it were true. That's one of the first things they look for is a common "love interest." I doubt it's true as Feanor said.

[irishdep]

Personally, I would do nothing.

I think rapists should suffer horrible, gruesome, slow, painful deaths.

But, since every bit of this information you found online (a music forum and instant messaging), I would say it is 99% BS and you don't have to worry about it. For all you know it's a 14 year-old kid making it all up based on whatever TV show he happens to be watching as he is typing.

First off if a person had first hand knowledge of a homicide that occurred I doubt they would be stupid enough to post on an open forum. I'm not saying it can't happen just saying unlikely. Like feanor it may very well be someone trying to get attention on the site. Be careful of what you disclose to him in your PM's you never know who you are talking to.

[pulicords]

If you were in my position reading this guy's story about his friend... What would you do about? Anything? I don't think he's gonna give up his friend which is understandable.

As a sworn peace officer I don't believe it would be ethical to conceal knowledge of an apparently "premeditated" murder, regardless of the suspect's attempt at justification. If I had enough info to know where the incident was supposed to have occurred, I'd contact a homicide investigator there and give him everything I knew. The RP is in fact a witness to the statements given by the suspect. He could be located and interviewed, to verify the info.

Regarding those who think it's okay to for citizens to commit murder of sexual offenders: They have similar groups in other countries, they're called "Death Squads." As much as I detest rapists and other violent criminals, I haven't reached the point yet where I've lost so much faith in the system that I'll be a criminal to punish criminals. One of the things great about this country, is that for all it's problems, most people here and abroad believe our police and criminal justice system is much more trustworthy than their own. They believe most cops are honest, care about those they've sworn to protect and are work hard within the system to see justice is done. I've got a little sign in my study at home- "Homicide Investigators-We work for God". I believe it.