“Not Guilty” Verdict – Afterthoughts
January 11th, 2013 by iPhoneAs Judge Pope read the jury’s “not guilty” verdict, sighs of relief quietly echoed from the defense’s side of the courtroom, as sobs and moans rose from the group of spectators sitting behind the prosecution’s table.
Crying soon was heard, as Ridley’s mother gradually began to be heard over the other courtroom sounds. Family members gathered around her, as the rest of the crowd was escorted around the front of the courtroom.
An ambulance was quickly called by deputies in the courtroom, to assist her, but she remained with her family, after being checked out by the EMTs.
As we look at evidence that was presented over the past 3 days, there really was no clear-cut documentation about the “who, what, when, where, and how” that the defense mentioned. Everything was circumstantial, which means everything was questionable.
As we listened to all of the testimony, each side of the case (as with each family involved) had it’s own belief of what circumstances led to this point.
As the case developed, I personally re-adjusted my inferred impression of the severity of Jessica’s anxiety issues, as did other spectators about any of the many issues involved.
From the early stages, it seemed to be a hard case to defend, and a harder case to prosecute.
It would really be difficult for an impartial person to believe that whatever happened that caused this baby’s death was intentional.
When the verdict was read, both families were quickly thrown into a grief process that they have been denied for almost 2 years.
Let’s just realize how the death of a child, for whatever reason rips at the heartstrings of the entire community.
Two families will always think of Ridley whenever they hear a baby cry at a restaurant; families and their friends will always wonder “what if” when they attend ball games of kids Ridley’s age; and a whole community spent most of a week wondering if there would be (or should be) justice.
A jury of local men and women unanimously agreed, sometimes there just isn’t a clear answer for how and why things happen.
I guess that really sum it up pretty well.
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Rest in peace sweet Ridley Morris Bostian , your in Gods arms now…….
The only thing we DO know for sure is that the baby did NOT commit suicide. Not guilty does not mean innocent. It means the case was not proved to the satisfaction of the jury. There will always be a cloud over these families…And I must say I’ve never heard of a panic attack causing a woman to hurt her baby….usually a “nervous nellie” mother is scared something will happen to her baby…But, I wasn’t there and I didn’t have to decide, thank God. Only 2 people know what happened–the guilty one knows that he/she did it and the innocent one knows he/she didn’t do it. Oh, and there is a Higher Power that we’ll all have to answer to one day…and so will this baby’s killer….
This whole thing was a horrible tragedy. Not only did a family loose their baby but a husband his wife and a wife her husband. Can’t imagine anyone intentionally hurting a baby but now maybe this family can get some closure that they have not been able to get this far. Praying for all involved.
well only god knows who killed that baby. he is in the arms of god now
The jury of monticello citizens decided that there was not enough evidence to issue a guilty verdict. That’s it Case Closed. This is a sad situation. I say pray for these families and all involved!
“Not guilty does not mean innocent”…Nana, sounds like you have been judge and jury yourself and declared the young man guilty. I ow there are very strong emotions on both sides of this tragic case and there will never be any way to bring Ridley back. I pray, for the sake of both of these families, that people in Drew County let them get on with their lives. From reading all the court proceedings one thing was evident, at least to me…there was no clear cut evidence of wrongdoing and no way to know when or where Ridleys injuries were sustained. As many have said, God knows and as he is the ultimate judge and jury it would seem to be best if we all let Him take care of this case. Prayers to all involved that you can somehow get back to a semblance of normal life.
By many Jackie was guilty before there was even a trail. I have know Jackie and his faimly all my life. They have been dragged threw the mudd, but have kept there faith in God, and that the truth would prevail. When bad things happen people try to put blame on someone even when there not guilty. We have been praying for both family and will continue to pray for them. Praying that all will find peace and comfort in Christ, for only He can.