Dearly Departed

Murder. That’s not the word I’m looking for. Murder means someone was killed without legal justification. The phrase is “legally justified homicide,” but that’s not one word, is it? And it’s not very snappy.

I just watched the movie “Sound of Freedom” with Mary Ann. The movie was amazing, insightful, suspenseful, and tragically sad. Sex trafficking is horrific, and the thought of children being sold into sex slavery is nauseating, which brings me to looking for the right word.

I believe in due process as a lawyer, a former prosecutor, and even a judge. But due process ought to be a bit more speedy sometimes. I also believe in the imposition of a swift and certain sentence. There are eight billion of us. There are bound to be some bad ones, some bad ones who need to be… Pushing up daisies. On the wrong side of dirt. Given a one-way ticket. Got the business. Rubbed out. Shot in occupied clothing. Accelerating their life insurance. Assisted suicide. Feeding the worms. They’ve departed. They went west. They met an untimely end. They went the way of the flesh. They met their maker. They shuffled off this mortal coil (Kelly? Shakespeare?)

From time immemorial, there have been people who needed killin’. It’s an unpleasant thought to many, but it’s true. The Christian response for those uncomfortable with imparting justice is “to judge not, lest you be judged.” But that is about sin, not getting a speeding ticket or serving on a jury in a murder trial. I’ll repeat it: some people deserve killing. When such a person gets what they deserve, we need to have a snappy word to describe it.

They gave up the ghost. They are taking a dirt nap. They ate it. They are toes up. They are belly up. Six feet under. They kicked the bucket. They bought the farm. They cashed in their chips.

Some of the meaner sayings: They are rotting in Hell. They went home in a box. They were offed. Put on ice. They were smoked. Whacked. Snuffed out. They croaked. They are sleeping with the fishes (one of my faves). They are swimming with concrete shoes.

In most of America, when a parent beats up or dispatches someone who harmed their child, the grand jury often declines to prosecute, even when pushed by a prosecutor. The community seldom disagrees.

But sex trafficking is not that clear-cut. The children are snatched away sometimes, kidnapped, or purchased. Adults are often seduced, promised better living conditions, or are running from perceived problems. We pity the adult victims, but when it comes to kids, we get livid. Sure, we seek justice for the perps who started it all, but what about the sex purchasers? The man who has sex with a 5-year-old? What is justice for them? Five years in prison? Ten? Twenty-five? Death? I don’t know the answer. I hope eternal damnation is involved, but that may be a long way off. I want instant karma.

And I still don’t have a good word.

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