Inside page of the yearbook. On the far right, second photo from the top is a photo of Alec Kreider when he was in 8th grade. |
It was on June 16th that his father, Tim, informed authorities that his son had confessed to him of the crime. He had confided in his dad thinking he wouldn't turn him in and would give him help. It was about three years ago, while sitting with my mother and her best friend Helen in the garden at Moravian Manor retirement community that I asked Helen about her family. She told me she had two sons, but one had been murdered along with her daughter-in-law and grandson a few years before. You can't imagine what went through my mind as soon as this information came out of her mouth. I expressed my concern for her loss after she told me about what had happened. Tough realizing what this woman must have felt and is still feeling years after the crime. Recently the US Supreme Court ruled that life sentences for juveniles are unconstitutional and can't be without a chance or release, so Alec tried to take advantage of this, but to no avail. His crime happened before the date set by the new ruling. Alec is now in prison for three consecutive life sentences without the hope of ever getting out. What must his life be like. I just can't imagine what he must be going through. The grief his father has for what he did to his son is immense. Tim Kreider recently self-published a book titled Refuse to Drown: A Father's Unthinkable Choice. In the book he talks about what he could have and should have done differently when raising his son. His depression for so many years was immense. His daughter will no longer talk to him. But, he felt a need to tell his story which he did in his book. He is hoping that his book will "change one life for the positive." His son never gave him a reason for the murders, but Alec's journal does reveal a few thoughts why he committed the crime. He said he wanted to know what it would feel like to kill someone. Tim visits with his son in prison monthly, but wonders who will visit when he is gone. Sad, sad story! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
This story really hits home with many families today. These kids are committing these crimes at such young ages, destined to spend the rest of their lives in a cage to think about what they have done. Many of these children that commit the crimes are babies, never having driven a car, had their first kiss, graduated, gotten married, basically missing out on a lifetime of memories. So sad on so many levels.
ReplyDeleteEliseo Weinstein @ JR's Bail Bonds