Repercussions & Consequences

I’m willing to bet that most people don’t think that there day would include being walked in front a c couple of television camera wearing a pair of handcuffs. But that’s the case with most accused criminals that wander into the range of the asylum. I’ve shot an endless number perp walks. Some smooth where they don’t say anything. Some are talkative where they cast the shadow of blame on someone else. And some are confrontational, where they want to get physical with you and the camera.

However, every time I shoot one of these I have to ask myself the same thing.

What thoughts run around in a person’s mind? Do they ponder along the line of right and wrong? Do they thing that their actions won’t lead to any consequences? Have they ever wondered if I do this act what lasting impression will be shown for all to see? All of the above is being probable being asked this guy’s conscience as WAFB’s own Kiran Chawla is firing away some direct and potent questions. The guy above, & his partner who’s currently in the hospital, are accused of killing a woman and leaving her daughter fighting for her life in Florida. Like most accused criminals the first thought is to flee the scene away from the local law enforcement. Find a safe haven until the heat wears off. So their race from the law brought them to West Baton Rouge. A deputy sees a traffic violation and decides to pull them over. But like most accused criminals they decide to flee from the long arm of the law. A high speed chase into a neighboring parish leads to their arrest. All of this because a couple of guys didn’t think their actions would catch up to them.

Bet they thought that justice wouldn’t catch up to them either let alone it being on the evening news.

WE GOT HIM!!!!!

There are time in a person's life that you can remember every little of a certain moment in time. Sadly September 11th, 2001 is one of those days. A beautiful fall day, not a cloud in the sky. I was getting ready to head to work then breaking news from New York City. Little did we know someone fueled with so much hatred was willing to declare war on the innocent across our country. I couldn't believe this day was happening. I would think to myself that this is some horrible dream and that my waking up everything would be back to normal. The dream was reality. Once a name and face behind the attacks came to light, there was no way this deed was going unpunished.

Nearly a decade later, I was sitting in the news room. The phone rings, it's the boss. He asks are rolling on a clean feed of the President of the United States he going to make a major announcement. Phones start ringing, the wires start buzzing, the emails trying to confirm what the leader of the free world was going to say.

"I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children. "

The second those words came out of the President's mouth, the country went into a euphoria of excitement and jubilation. Everything took a backseat to this announcement. A nation stood united as always hearing that the most most hated person on the planet was getting his due. It was yet another moment in our careers where we captured history. Another moment where you will remember where you where when it happen. This time I knew it wasn't a dream, I knew this was reality, I knew this was the resolve of the American Spirit.

" we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. That is the story of our history, whether it's the pursuit of prosperity for our people, or the struggle for equality for all our citizens; our commitment to stand up for our values abroad, and our sacrifices to make the world a safer place." - President Barack Obama

We will always remember those who lost their lives on the fall day. We remember those who gave their lives and thank those who protect our country in the decade to follow. We will also remember their sacrfices helped bring some closure to a nation wounded on a horrific day in September a decade ago.

Justice was little late but she came through again. Just blessed and thankful I here to witness it.