Where's the justice? | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The recent antics involving the obstruction-of-justice charges filed against Traci Vaillancourt, the young woman who was shot in the back by her meth-addicted boyfriend, are bewildering. First, Ms. Vaillancourt is witness to a vicious murder in which she played no role. Suffering from life-threatening wounds, recovering from surgery, and under the influence of various narcotics for pain relief, she was interviewed by police, not once but three times.

Next, Sim Gill, the Lone Ranger who recently dismissed more than 100 felony drug cases, files two felony obstruction-of-justice charges against her for testimony she provided under duress. Even though Ms. Vaillancourt is in a wheelchair that might achieve a top speed of 2-3 mph and on oxygen, the esteemed judge considers her a flight risk and sets bail at no less than $500,000.

Let's get serious. Somebody break out the law books and find some precedents to set this poor woman free. Offer to dismiss the charges against her in exchange for her testimony against her homicidal boyfriend and save the taxpayers the thousands of dollars it would have cost to prosecute her. What's wrong with these people? Have they completely forgotten about the concept of justice?

L.L. Bench

Sandy