What's Going On: Seeking justice in our courts isn’t as easy as it may seem

Anthony Utterback was found not guilty on murder charges last week, despite the fact he undisputedly killed his wife’s lover on Valentine’s Day earlier this year. 

Utterback went to Ryan O’Donnell’s home in an attempt to get his wife, Ashley, to come home. Why? I don’t know as she reportedly spent at least a couple nights a week there. 

Not surprisingly, a verbal confrontation between the two men ensued before O’Donnell hit Utterback in the leg with a crowbar. Utterback stood up with a knife in his hand and plunged into O’Donnell’s heart, resulting in his death. 

Utterback was arrested and charged with murder, but after hours of deliberation, a jury gave him his freedom Friday, finding him not guilty on the basis that the killing was self-defense. 

Needless to say, O’Donnell’s family was devastated by the verdict and their perceived lack of justice. Their son, brother and cousin is dead, and he left behind a three-year-old child who will go on without a father. 

And no one will be accountable for that loss.

It would be easy to blame Utterback. He should have just divorced Ashley instead of repeatedly forgiving her for her transgressions in an effort to salvage their marriage. For that matter, since he first caught her cheating on him before marrying her, he probably should never have entered into a lifelong commitment with her. 

But he did, believing he could change her and that it was the best arrangement for their son. 

It would be easy to blame O’Donnell who had been physically assaulted before by Utterback. Having an affair with a married person is simply asking for trouble on several different levels. 

But ultimately, the person most responsible for this tragedy is Ashley. It was her behavior and decisions that brought these two men together, resulting in the physical confrontation that left one of them dead. 

And while the results of her actions are obvious, she clearly remains oblivious to how serious her actions are. 

On the day the jury freed her husband, she posted onto her Facebook page: “NOT GUILTY!!!!!!! NOT GUILTY!!!! Anthony Utterback is a free man!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the lord!!!!”

I’m going to let the irony of the “praise the lord” remark pass, but this is the same Facebook page where she has posted a picture of herself and her newest boyfriend. They dressed up like Batman and Robin for Halloween. 

How cute. 

Did I mention she’s still married? Did I mention she has a son? 

Sometimes, our justice system mirrors our society. Regretfully, in this case, it has proven that not accepting responsibility for your own decisions is perfectly acceptable, regardless of the consequences. 

It is truly a sad commentary on our society and what we call “justice.” While one man’s justice may be another man’s revenge, I can’t help but believe justice was not served in this crime. 

And based on what I’ve seen, it doesn’t appear the most important person in this case, Ashley, has learned a single thing. 

Gregory Orear is the General Manager/Editor of the Red Oak Express and Glenwood Opinion-Tribune. He can be contacted at publisher@redoakexpress.com.