When you meet someone you like- in my case, not a romantic or "friend with benefit" kind of thing, but just a regular dude. You like this guy. He's a dude who you enjoy hanging out with in a "Kick back and have a beer" kind of thing. The type of dude you go on adventures with, who shares common interests with you, and who comes across as a really chill, genuinely righteous person.
Except, he isn't.
I saw this person's mug shot on the police blotter today. I was just casually browsing the police blotter and I saw it. I had met him a while ago and while we weren't close "Best buddies," he was still a guy I respected and hoped to hang out with more. Similar interests and what not.
I realize, people make stupid mistakes: get caught driving after one too many beers, get busted with a little weed (which is actually legal in many places), or succumb to their more serious substance addictions. I've even seen people get hauled in for stupid stuff like child custody battles (usually a "Contempt of court" charge) or incorrectly filing taxes as a private medical professional ("tax fraud.") I know a lot of perfectly decent human beings who have screwed up like this. These things are forgivable. And while I certainly do NOT condone any kind of spousal abuse or domestic violence, at ALL- I have also seen some domestic quarrels turn heated where the guy didn't have the courage or emotional restraint to walk away before he lost control, and this is tragic for everyone involved.
But this guy, who I hung out with just this past weekend and who I thought was one of the coolest and most decent people, was arrested for something much, much worse than that. Something utterly terrible.
I mean, I don't even know what to say. Shock, anger, disappointment, disillusionment, I guess I feel all of those things. Maybe even shame at trusting him and not being able to judge his character. To be fair, he did nothing to me. So in a sense, theoretically I can neither judge him nor forgive him. But to his victim- I feel only sorrow, sadness, and anger over what he did to her.
There are still a lot of wonderful, good people in this world, and yes, even the best make mistakes and do things they regret. But a charge like this is not a "Mistake" that a good person would make. This was... evil. And I am still trying to come to grips with the fact that not more than two days ago, I had a great day spending it with a person who I thought was a good guy.
