It is possible that if this person could have been captured alive, something could have been learned that might have been useful in helping prevent other tragedies. Possible, could have, might have...
I believe it is always regrettable when a human life ends prematurely, even when a death sentence is clearly justified and imposed by the law upon a person known for a certainty to be guilty of heinous violent crimes and still too dangerous to risk their ever being free. Regrettable, but sometimes necessary.
That said, in this particular case, there was no question about this man's guilt, and his death by his own hand undoubtedly saved taxpayers the millions of dollars and months if not years of stress and anxiety that an investigation and trial would have involved. Not to mention the costs and uncertainty if he had ultimately been sentenced to death or even life without parole.
This is truly a sad case for all involved. Especially so for the family of totally innocent victim, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, through no fault of his own. But also for the murderer's girlfriend, whom he blamed for everything, but who in fact bears no responsibility at all for this tragedy.
On a happier note, I hope the McDonald's employee who first recognized the fugitive gets the entire reward. It would be a shame if whoever offered the reward tried to weasel out of paying her, or if the other employees who simply followed her lead tried to get a piece of it. If she wants to share, fine. But I don't think they should feel entitled to any of it.
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