There’s nothing like a little defeatism to put affairs in the wrong perspective. For the Justice Department, a poor attitude toward a major crime could make the difference between a successful prosecution and a criminal getting away with murder.
So it is somewhat worrisome to see a slight indication of pessimism about the investigation into the slaying of a federal prosecuting attorney.
It has been less than three months since the slaying of Thomas C. Wales, an assistant U.S. attorney in Seattle. The shooting, while Wales worked at a home computer, was carefully carried out in the dark of night, presenting obvious challenges for investigators. Nevertheless, there apparently has been considerable progress. That’s not enough to avoid a clear hint last week that the case may never come to court.
A Justice Department source was quoted as telling a Seattle paper that charges might never be filed. "It may be that this is one of those cases where we are able to satisfy ourselves as to what happened, but never able to obtain charges," the unidentified source told the Seattle Times.
The official likely was just trying to be frank with the press. Properly, though, the remarks reportedly set off concern among Wales’ friends. Alarms also ought to be ringing in the Justice Department and the public.
There are, to be sure, cases in which prosecutors have a good idea of what happened but can never prove there suspicions. If their investigation throws enough of a scare into the person who committed the crime, some good may have been accomplished. Yet it is vital that the murder of a prosecutor — or any law enforcement officer or court official — receives the most unrelenting attention.
In this instance, there is considerable suspicion that Wales was murdered in retaliation for one of the cases he handled during his 18 years of service. Officials represent all of us in seeking justice. An attack on a prosecutor, judge or police officer is an assault on society.
For most of us, it is impossible to imagine the extra pressure that must be upon every segment of the Justice Department during the wartime conditions. The war, however, only underlines the importance of preserving a just and free society at home. America gains little if it wins a war against terrorists abroad but lets the officers of its own system of justice fall victim to home-grown crime.
The Justice Department must rededicate itself to finding and prosecuting whoever committed the murder of Tom Wales. Oh, and one other goal: a conviction, please.
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