How is this possible? Vigilantism is Celebrated and Justice is Ignored
In a deeply troubling display of misplaced outrage, protestors gathered outside the Elkhart County Courthouse in Goshen, Indiana last week—not to denounce murder, but to defend it. They rallied not in support of justice, but to glorify vigilantism. Signs reading “Free Nic” and “Nick Stanley Doesn’t Deserve Jail” were hoisted by individuals who believe that the accused killer of a man named Allen Cogswell should be praised, not prosecuted.
Let’s unpack this… Cogswell, who was recently released from prison and labeled a sex offender, was shot and killed at a motel on June 24. The accused, Nicholas Stanley, is reportedly related to one of the victims in Cogswell’s past case. While the pain and trauma that come with sexual abuse are real and lasting—and deserving of compassion and support—what is being endorsed here is not healing. It’s revenge.
The most alarming aspect of this protest is the open call for stricter punishment for the victim of the murder. Yes, you read that right. A man was murdered, and the response from the crowd was not to demand accountability, but to say he deserved it—and to call for harsher penalties for registrants. How is that even logically possible?
This is the horrifying reality of public registries and the mob mentality they encourage. The registry doesn’t just track people; it paints a target on their backs. It fuels vigilante violence by branding individuals with a modern-day scarlet letter—ignoring rehabilitation, reform, or redemption.
People like Cogswell serve their time. But because their names, faces, and locations are published and broadcasted with the click of a button, they never stop being punished—by neighbors, landlords, employers, and in this case, by a man with a gun. Murder is murder. There is no justification for it, no matter what the criminal history of the victim. If we start condoning homicide as a form of “justice,” where does it stop? Who gets to decide whose life is worth taking? A gang of bikers with a Facebook page?
Articles like this one only serve one purpose; to escalate the dangerous belief that those on the registry are subhuman, and therefore disposable. The law doesn’t work that way. Nor should it. What kind of society do we live in where the news media celebrates vigilantism. In addition to contacting WNDU News and suggesting they post an op-ed, we should be asking politicians (who now have another example of how the registry is being used as a hit list), why they make it so easy for a vigilante to find and execute this man?
We are by no means excusing the victim’s past crimes. We empathize with victim’s trauma. But we also don’t excuse murder. Justice in this country comes from a courtroom, not a lynch mob.
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Sorry to hear about your mishap @paulette
Today, July 4th, is supposed to be a day of reflection and freedom. For those of us on the offender registry in Florida, we are on it for life, even after we have successfully completed our sentences. For us, Freedom is a word or concept that is out of reach for most of us. Florida keeps offenders on the registry for life, with just a few finding a way off, like moving to another state.
I believe in justice, I believe people should be punished for their crimes. However, when you have done your time and prepare to rebuild your lives along with your families, we wonder how the authorities justify saying the registry is not punishment. I felt safer inside of prison than I do sometimes in the public.
Reflect on that word “Freedom” because not everyone is free, even if they have served their time. I am not talking about mental freedom; I am talking about being in the control of the state on the registry for life and all the new requirements piled on us each new legislation sessions.
Remember each day to hug your wives, husbands and your children. Tell them how much you love them and assure them that no matter how much hate we endure, that together we can stand up to the suppression and injustice we face in our lives. March on and point your head high and stay vigilant.
I end this post with a little-known quote “Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.
Cherkee🇺🇲🧨🧨🌈
We love you
Therapy works. Therapy can help people move past the trauma. I would encourage anyone to get it. The death penalty is nothing but vengeance
Bwj
For some do for some don’t. I’ve been doing virtual therapy for years. Some of my clients need alternatives approach
Traditional mental health therapy may not work for all. Alternatives like peer support (12 steps, SA-Anon, yoga, meditation) all work. What does not work is doing nothing. From my own experiences in medicine as a professional, the body and mind heal with help. I owe my life to Bill W’s ideas. The two court mandated therapists were hit or miss. One was borderline unethical and the other was sound. I also know a few mental health therapists personally.
Mr. D
The registry doesn’t prevent any sex crimes. It doesn’t reduce their incidence either.
I’ve often stated each crime should be judged independently and not lumped together, that I agree with.
But the registry does lump everyone together. In Florida it barely differentiates between offender and predator. In Florida there is almost no way off of it and even then it is a twenty five year wait just to ask.
Which is nuts because a lot of success stories are thrown back into joblessness and family strife. I was successful and completed court sanctions perfectly. Completed 10 year registry perfectly and ended in 2007.
Started over in life with career. Got married. Paid taxes. Moved on.
Now here in the orange state. Got re-listed 2024.
Results are employer had to fire me. The pressure of keeping a PFR employee is too much for most fields.
Results are back to poverty and loose the ability to provide.
Do I deserve this punishment 29 years after a one week affair with an underaged female.? Consensual. No weird grooming or demands.? The court took care of this 29 years ago. Damn this list. Abolish the registry. How many success stories are out there? I’m sure I’m not unique. I hope there are more good results than bad. History has shown that’s it’s easier to destroy, than create. It’s easier to condemn than convince people of facts. Even the one’s staring at them in the face.
@Paul
Sadly my friend, in Florida, even death does not take you off the Florida registry.
What is the point of keeping a dead person on the registry other than the state still getting funding for having X-amount of people on the registry. Sounds like fraud to me. Do as I say, not as a I do.
And this is how serial murderers are produced, when they aren’t stopped with murder 1.