Wake Up! Waukesha
Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for over 20 years, is an active volunteer who has served on numerous local boards and committees. He's married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company.
Outrage towards our legal system over the Mark Benson case...
The traditional news outlets have to "report the facts". The editorials and opinions on subject matters are carried elsewhere in their contents. But what about the human side of some of these stories?
The Mark Benson case demands accountability and outrage. Accountability and outrage towards every person who was involved in seeing his bail recently reduced. That's right - case workers, psychologists, the judge, Benson's lawyer, whoever monitors people out on bail...and his family! Every single one of these people now should be brought to task for either facilitating his release by recommending a lower bail amount, or miserably failing in their responsibility to the Waukesha community by maintaining their silence while Benson amassed an arsenal of prescription drugs, guns, and ammunition. He had more firepower than the Columbine killers... enough prescriptions to readily lose control of his faculties, and a large supply of alcohol - all of which could have contributed to a "perfect storm" of mayhem and more pain for more innocent families.
And this arsenal was built-up and kept in his $1.6 million dollar Town of Summit lake home! The same home he shares with his family!
Please....
Unless this home has secret passageways, sliding walls, or walk-in safes that only Mark has the combination to...his family knew much earlier than the rest of us that Mark Benson was in direct violation of his bail conditions. Think about it - who was/is paying the bills to a phantom pharmaceutical company in FL; gun dealers; ammo suppliers for products running in what could have easily been in the tens of thousands of dollars? Much more importantly - What does this say about the moral judgment running rampant in this household? He is accused of essentially destroying another family's life - now and for years to come. He has demonstrated that he drove "under the influence", endangering countless others several times prior (his arrests and convictions validate that). He was caught transferring assets immediately following his arrest in the Bukosky killings. And are we to now believe for even one instant that his family was unaware? Sorry - familial loyalty goes only so far.
So this sad, sordid tale brings me to this dilemma. If these are not grounds for accountability on the part of the courts, case workers, psychologists and revocation of the posted bail - what is??? The story states it was his mother and stepfather who posted for this $500,000. Sorry... but a really bad decision on your part. You knew the potential risks when you posted bail. Whether he be son or father or husband, this man is very, very sick. How could anyone, even close family members, allow, with full knowledge (unless the drug company, ammo, and gun suppliers donated their goods...) Mark Benson to continue on this path of destruction? If bail is not forfeited in this case - when would it be? Or are we to listen to his lawyer argue that there are enough "victims" in this case? Nonsense! Additional contributing "enablers" are the ones who lowered his bail thereby allowing Mark to enjoy "lake-living" while the Bukosky family grieves and awaits justice in this case.
For gosh sakes - the man even purchased tracer bullets! He was preparing for a night-time shootout!
This is a prime example of the system failing the victim(s) while allowing those with wealth to openly flaunt the privileges that must come with large sums of money.
Mark Benson is either a master manipulator or an intimidating presence who controls everyone in his closest sphere - except himself.
Normally I consider the family and the tragic consequences of having a father-example like this. And it is and will be tragic for them for many years. But where was his wife (is he still married?) during this? 20,000 to 50,000 rounds of ammo and someone pays for it? Thousands of dollars in out-of-state prescriptions and you simply pay your charge card bill? This really is very sad for the children who have every right to expect their parents to be role models.
Mark Benson is a heinous human being who has spun wildly out of control for many years. Unquestionably, his family was aware. Unfortunately, the legal system was also aware and yet chose to ignore every warning signal. We as citizens must insist that a strong message be sent to others that bail should be/must be forfeited in this case.
And then... take the forfeited bail and establish a trust fund in the Bukosky name which would be directed by the family.
This won't assuage my personal anger at the incredible failings of the legal system and family in this case, but it might be the only way to make lemonade out of lemons....
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