“This guy should have never been on the street,” said Brian D. Wurts, president of the police union in Lakewood. “Our elected officials need to find out why these people are out.”

These same words where uttered by an entire family on Oct, 28th 1988, when two Brothers, Emmett P. Nash and Jose M. Nash, Raped and murdered Sharmin Marie Coleman, a 21-year-old mother of a 4-month-old baby boy.

These two men had been convicted of rape at knife point, promoting prostitution, theft and numerous drug charges, both brothers where on parole from King County when they committed this horrendous crime.

Such was the crime that the Judge Marsha Pechman, during sentencing described Sharmin Colman’s murder as “hideous, savage and brutal.” This crime left a family asking WHY?? How could two such dangerous men who where supposed to be in prison, be released to prey upon our society.

Twenty-one years have gone by and still our community has to ask why? Why does our elected official ignore the criminal history of such perpetrators and predators? What is the criterion that allows them to be set free early from their sentences?

However, the questions may truly be are we the public the perpetrators upon ourselves? Afraid of not giving those that prey upon us a second chance to redeem themselves? Fearful of incarcerating the innocent? Are we the victims of such crimes because we are the victims that perpetually victimize ourselves?

My sister was murdered 21 years ago; the laws have not changed enough to protect us and now those who do protect us are the victims. We blame our officials for what we the society who has the power to change, what we must change.

Twenty-one years ago an innocent young woman was car jacked, raped and murdered. A few days ago four of our brave heroes who choose a path of protectors were murdered. How long will we as society continue to blame others for laws we have the power to change, that we MUST change?

From the sister of our laws,

Karen Coleman-Neveu