When Murderers Walk Free: A Family’s Thanksgiving Nightmare Unfolds

Picture getting a text just before the holidays, not about a sale at your favorite store but rather that your mother’s murderer is now free to roam the streets. That’s the cruel reality for Ginny Brideau, who found out that Ernie Benson, the man who brutally killed her mother back in 1994, was released from prison. It was a gut punch, and as if the universe had it out for her family, there’s talk about another convicted murderer, Steve McCord, potentially getting a shot at freedom too.

The Kitsap County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is, well, let’s say, having a rough time here. After failing to notify Brideau and her family about the developments, they swiftly learned how much chaos can arise from neglecting to call up a handful of folks when it really matters. You can almost hear the collective gasp from families who thought they’d put this nightmare behind them. The prosecutor even admitted to dropping the ball, which is about as comforting as a warm cup of cocoa thrown in your face at Christmas.

As disturbing as this may sound, it raises some serious questions about the justice system. Should there be a time limit on how long someone has to serve for their crimes? Should convicted murderers get second chances when the families left behind are still healing? I mean, who wouldn’t want to see some accountability here?

What would you do if your loved one’s murderer was getting a chance to walk free, and you weren’t even notified? This situation reminds us that while we may think the justice system is a well-oiled machine, sometimes it runs about as smoothly as a Thanksgiving turkey that’s been left in the oven too long.

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