Uncontrolled Anger

A fool gives full vent to his anger,

But a wise man keeps himself under control.

Proverbs 29:11

There are few things that really surprise me anymore, but this morning, perusing Yahoo News, I came across an article that did.  I’m sure you remember the name Joran Van der Sloot – the man widely suspected of having murdered American student Natalee Holloway in Aruba in May of 2005.  He was arrested twice in the case, released both times for lack of physical evidence, and then had the gall to offer to give the parents information regarding Natalee’s death and the location of her body for $250,000. 

Fast forward five years to the day – May 30, 2010 – when a 21-year-old business student named Stephany Flores was found dead in Van der Sloot’s hotel room in Lima, Peru.  Four days later, he was arrested in Chile, extradited to Peru, and confessed to having murdered Flores in anger after finding her trolling on his personal computer for possible information regarding Natalee. The confession was later retracted, and Van der Sloot has been awaiting trial on first degree murder charges, scheduled to begin shortly after the first of next year.  A Peruvian magazine has reported that the 24-year-old has stabbed at least three other prisoners during his incarceration, and is filled with anger.

This morning I awoke to the news that Van der Sloot has filed a lawsuit for $10 million in damages, against the former Peruvian president, the former Chilean interior minister, several police generals, and the victim’s father, Ricardo Flores.  He claims that his rights were denied when he was extradited against his will from Chile to Peru, that his confession was made under duress, and several other rights violations.  His family issued a simultaneous comment that the murder of Flores was during a time when he was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.  A “not guilty by reason of insanity” defense cannot be far behind.

Whatever happened to the creed of being responsible for one’s own actions?  For respect for human life?   Every picture I see of the face of this young man holds either a knowing twinkle in the eye and a smirk, or a stare of extreme anger.  He may be rich, spoiled, cunning, brilliant, and seething with rage, but that does not and can not excuse any of his actions.  He must answer for them – hopefully before men, certainly before God.

All news facts and details from Yahoo News and the Huffington Post online.