Old Memories, New Pain

Old Memories, New Pain

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Story Published: Dec 3, 2001 at 3:41 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2006 at 11:48 PM PDT

By Ken Schram

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SEATTLE - It all comes down to old memories and new pain.

For the families and friends of women who've been identified as victims of the Green River killer, the past few days have been pretty tough.

Emotions that've been tucked away for so many years are front and center again.

I've talked with some of the people on the phone, or sat across from them in their homes, as they try to describe the mixture of anger, sadness and excitement that comes from maybe having a measure of justice and closure at hand.

Something to remember though: The suspect in this case is just that, a suspect.

Investigators might be sure he's a killer, but that's their job. Until he's convicted or pleads guilty, he gets the legal benefit of the doubt from the rest of us.

Victims' families seem to get that concept better then most.

They also seem to get that maybe a small measure of justice will have to be sacrificed in return for peace of mind and closure.

If the suspect indeed turns out to be the Green River killer, some families appear to want answers over vengeance.

In other words, if prosecutors decide to seek the death penalty in this case, they should consider using it to trade for information about other victims.

If he's guilty, keep the S.O.B. in prison for life, if he'll talk.

That's a lot for authorities to consider.

And its a lot that family and friends still have to contend with.

It all comes down to old memories, and new pain.

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