Introduction
Many models of justice are important frameworks employed in evaluating and dealing with different criminal acts within the legal system. There are four outlined models of justice, which include the retributive, utilitarian, restorative, and parallel. According to Udell and Newmark (2023), retributive and utilitarian justice primarily centers on the offender to rectify wrongdoing via punishment. Conversely, parallel and restorative justice stresses the victim, focusing on fixing harm and rehabilitating offenders to promote healing among all parties involved (Udell & Newmark, 2022). These differing approaches reflect societal perspectives on the purpose of justice, with retribution and utilitarianism prioritizing the enforcement of the law’s authority. By examining the involuntary manslaughter case in which Adam Torres shot John Geer in Fairfax County using these models, one gets a comprehensive view of how justice can be pursued after a tragedy occurs.
Crime Description
In Springfield, Virginia, on 29th August 2013, Adam Torres, one of the Fairfax Police Officers, shot John Geer dead. The killing happened during a police response to a domestic violence report that had been made at the victim’s apartment (Washington Post, 2016). Geer was standing in his entranceway with a holstered gun but had not made any threatening moves toward the police officers (Washington Post, 2016). However, as time passed, the situation escalated into a tense standoff, which lasted close to 45 minutes and called for a barricade, according to the authorities. As a result, a hostage negotiator was brought in by the authorities to successfully address the situation without using violence (NBC4 Washington, 2015). Despite these efforts, the encounter turned fatal when Adam Torres, who was among those officers who had responded, fatally shot Geer. Torres later claimed that he believed Geer was going for his weapon, a claim refuted by other officers who were present (Fairfax County Police Department, 2015). This is because the situation got worse when Geer placed his hands on the door frame; it could have been an attempt to comply with what was instructed by the officers so that he could come out of the house (WTOPnews, 2015). Unfortunately, Torres unexpectedly shot a round, which pierced through Geer’s chest, causing his death as he retreated to his house, where he passed away later from those same injuries.
The shooting aftermath shocked and outraged many. Geer’s family and concerned neighbors sought explanations for his death. Inquiries into the issue have caused a public uproar, raising doubts about transparency in police actions and investigations related to law enforcement deaths (CBC News, 2015). This is because the incident led to serious protests from the citizens demanding justice for Geer. As a result, his family was tragically affected by his demise, which emotionally left them shattered where his kids grew up without a father, while his girlfriend went through post-traumatic stress disorder after seeing him shot dead (NBC4 Washington, 2015). Also, society has suffered; therefore, inhabitants are afraid of police officers’s activities.
The murder of John Geer by Adam Torres has given rise to the necessity of enhancing liability and openness in law enforcement. It highlighted the significance of studying police policies on force and protocols to avert any similar tragedy in future times. This occurrence initiated a range of pleas for change within the Fairfax County Police Department and led to discussions concerning the relationship between law enforcement and society (Fairfax County Police Department, 2015). (Source: The Washington Post, “Fairfax Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Man on Doorstep Indicted on Murder Charge”; NBC4 Washington, “Fairfax County to Pay $3 Million Settlement in John Geer Shooting”). Therefore, John Geer’s murder by the hand of Adam Torres brings our attention to the calm and unethical behaviors in law enforcement, and something needs to be done in order to bring about increased accountability and transparency. It triggers a series of questions about how to approach a similar situation differently, and policies and practices to prevent the occurrence of such disasters are put in place.
Research Methods
While researching the crime of murder without intent concerning John Geer at the hands of Adam Torres, I used several research techniques to collect data and comprehend the circumstances surrounding it. Firstly, I pinpointed reliable sources having overall information on the crime. To learn more, I selected trustworthy news sources such as the Washington Post, NBC Washington, and CBC News. These articles provided comprehensive explanations in detail regarding the whole incident. The first thing I did when I started gathering information about this particular topic was to enter keywords like ‘Adam Torres manslaughter case’ or ‘John Geer shooting’ into Google. Through this examination, I was able to comprehend the event and identify its principal characters fully. In addition, I explored the Fairfax County Police Department’s Online website. This was my first experience conducting an in-depth investigation and understanding legal actions led by law enforcement. The diversity of the approach made me identify and wash away all the gaps and errors that I had overseen from the information about the tragedy.
In a nutshell, the case of involuntary manslaughter by Adam Torres regarding John Geer in the town of Fairfax is a typical instance of the many issues and the complex nature of seeking justice. This violent occurrence sheds the lens of retribution and restorative justice that throws up some crucial contemplations about the illumination of penalization with responsibility and recovery in a society when a crime is being committed. If we are to progress, we ought to identify the underlying problems in police use of force, as well as the development of more trusted and collaborative relationships between the public and the authorities. The pursuit of justice that follows such disasters calls for multi-dimensional strategies through healing, accountability, and prevention.
Retributive Model
In the case of involuntary manslaughter caused by Adam Torres’s death of John Geer, the retributive justice model offers directives for Society’s response to the grievous crime. By this model, the social contract is set up by rules, which are the counterparts of criminal laws, the purpose of which is maintaining order and harmony in Society by prohibiting specific actions and setting offenses penalties (Udell, 2023). Violating the social contract of voluntary manslaughter is the act of ignoring the most fundamental principle of saving lives, as these pose a danger to the stability of a society.
Additionslluy. his model underscores the importance of social contracts articulated through criminal law. These laws uphold the social balance and guard societal order by prohibiting certain behaviors and prescribing consequences for the transgressors. The justice process of this model -revolves around impartially enforcing these rules. Offenders are held accountable for their actions through the appropriate punishment-based principle of just deserts, aiming to restore equilibrium within Society and maintain orderly function (Udell, 2023). This idea of just deserts reflects the value of harmony in Society, which the offense had impaired (Moore, 1993). The justice system is faced with assessing from which angle the crimes have been committed, deciding who is guilty, and delivering a penalty regarding the offense’s nature.
The executive model of criminal law illustrates much about the social contract that is asserted in legal orders and, as such, prevents behaviors that go contrary to social peace. As an unintentional murder, the killing of John Geer by Adam Torres serves as a case of failed contract and eventually a demand for a response to establish evenness. According to such rules as fair application, whether remissive fulfill their obligations must be measured if offenders have to pay their dues with equal punishment. However, it is about punishing the defendant’s guilt and total obedience to societal norms. The justice system realizes equal treatment, penalty fulfillment, and balance restoration after violating such norms through procedural and distributive justice.
Procedural Justice
For the manslaughter case, where John Geer and Adam Torres stand trial for a crime they allegedly committed, Society as a whole and the Justice system, aimed at fact-finding, are responsible for determining the rules broken. An instance of a severe crime is commonly believed to be a scandal in Society because the criminal justice system has to find justice for the victim and Society under any circumstance (Udell, 2023). The whole procedure finds its way through a comprehensive investigation that surgically operates the exact rules infringed and measures blame attaching to the culprit. Undoubtedly, an integral part of this procedure is ensuring that the rights of due process of the accused are preserved to the exclusion of fairness and that the integrity of the judiciary remains true (Udell, 2023).
The adversarial process between Society and the defendant through its legal professionals who function as the adjuncts, because of their knowledge of justice and law, ensures justice through a win-or-lose resolution to determine the cause (Udell, 2023). The authority to decide is granted to an even neutral, impartial jurisdiction to take care of the impartially of the process and judge equally (Udell, 2023). Although victims remain critical players in supplying data and attending to one’s crime, their role is not intended to substitute justice outcomes but to assist the justice system in adding to a comprehensive response to the offender (Udell, 2023). This integrative and multilateral approach, as regards the principles of justice and the equal application of the law, would guarantee that the procedures are fair, the officials are accountable for their actions, their security is favorable, and the justice administered is no respecter of persons.
Distributive Justice
The principled perspectives of distributive justice demand that the justice system responds to the case of involuntary manslaughter of John Geer by Adam Torres by the law and accountability to restore social balance and order (Udell, 2023). This imposes a penalty that must be equivalent to the offense to which it is gravity and the principle of proportionality (Udell, 2023). In the matter of involuntary manslaughter, which implies that the term of life is in question here. Thus, the gravity of the fault calls for a penalty consistent with the damage provided. The principle “let the punishment be equivalent to the crime”; however, it is essential to ensure that the result that follows the perpetrator of the crime is comparable to the extent of their actions (Udell, 2023). Therefore, the idea is to restore a state of balance within Society.
The main feature of retributive justice is that punishment is a product of desert (Moore, 1993). It, in turn, means that one is being punished because of the disservice, voluntary or not, caused by one’s actions, not for any other reasons. If involuntary manslaughter, the reason Adam Torres has committed happens to take the life of John Geer. The punishment must maintain law and order, deter future misconduct, and uphold the natural need for justice (Udell, 2023). Acting upon involuntary manslaughter then, the justice system must adopt accountability and social balance as their key priority that should be reflected in the punishment proportional both to the perpetrator’s moral culpability and the offense severity itself to, once again, underscore the social contract integrity and uphold the integrity of the social order.
Restorative model
Restorative justice in the case of involuntary manslaughter caused by Adam Torres’s death of John Geer focuses on certain principles aimed at healing the harm caused, restoring relationships, and meeting the needs of the victims and the offender. One of the core ideas of a restorative justice approach is that it emphasizes the interpersonal nature of crime, seeing it as not only a breach of the law but as harm done to individuals and society at large (Udell & Newmark, 2023). For instance, if Adam Torres took part in the manslaughter of John Geer, restorative justice would try to reconcile the victims and the community while also addressing the reasons that motivated Officer Torres’s actions.
The core idea of restorative justice is restoring relationships. Regarding the case of Adam and John Manslaughter, this would imply an answer to the fact that the victim and their family endured pain and suffering (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Restorative justice acknowledges the necessity of victims explaining their emotions and demands and offering chances for the offenders to accept responsibility for their actions and deal with them. Adam Torres would be involved in the resolution processes where the family of John Geer would directly interact with him, listen to what they have been through, and express his remorse for what he did (Udell & Newmark, 2023). It will help to heal the emotional wounds caused by Adam Torres and to achieve closure for those who have suffered.
The restoration of relationships is also an essential part of this process. A restorative justice course considers the social connectedness of people within a society and strives to restore the social bonds fractured by delict (Udell & Newmark, 2023). In this case, Restorative justice in this case involves rectifying the damages committed to the direct victim and re-establishing the society’s trust and cohesion within the affected areas. Restorative measures like community conferencing can be constructed to serve as a forum of free expression between the affected, the community, and the offender, thus offering an opportunity to understand and share individual perspectives (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Through nurturing empathy and cooperation, these exercises will aid in restoring the relationships within the community and, therefore, enable reconciliation to occur.
In addition, restorative justice focuses on the needs of the victim and the offender as the primary (Udell & Newmark, 2023). In the manslaughter case, this involves acknowledging the traumatic experiences of victims and then providing them with support and recovery tools that will aid them in their healing process. Further, it requires consideration of the circumstances that possibly caused Adam Torres, the perpetrator, to engage in the act, including his troubled childhood and past psychological conditions. Restorative interventions could include counseling and rehabilitative programs meant to address the psychological and emotional concerns of Adam Torres while at the same time equipping him with the necessary education and skills required for his re-entry into society.
Procedural Justice
Additionally, the principle of inclusivity stresses dialog and mediation dialogue to accommodate John Geer and the concerned society (Udell & Newmark, 2023). In this regard, implementing procedural justice means that the victims, their families, and the wider community have an opportunity to contribute, and their contributions would be respected (Udell & Newmark, 2023). This will entail granting victims the right to attend face-to-face restorative justice conferences, where they can explain their view on the influence of crimes on them and the measures that ought to be taken for the sake of responsibility and rehabilitation (Udell & Newmark, 2023).
Restorative justice is a forward-looking, collaborative, and preventive response that strives to understand crime and its social context (Udell & Newmark, 2023). It challenges us to examine the root causes of violence and crime so that these cycles might be broken. This is driven by the idea that crime has its origins in social conditions and recognizes that offenders also suffer harm (Udell & Newmark, 2023). In the case of John Geer, professionals as facilitators, ensure that both he and the victim’s family can exchange their perspectives on the crime in a two-way dialogue (Udell & Newmark, 2023). This could involve providing information and support to help victims make informed decisions about their involvement and ensuring that Adam Torres’s participation is voluntary and based on genuine remorse and a desire to take responsibility for his actions. However, Adam Torres and the Geer family should always maintain respect for each party (Udell & Newmark, 2023).
Additionally, procedural justice would ensure fairness and transparency in the legal proceedings (Udell & Newmark, 2023). This could involve providing Officer Adam Torres with access to legal representation and ensuring that he receives a fair trial based on the principles of due process (Calkin, 2015). It would also include providing victims with information about their rights and the available support services and keeping them informed about the progress of the case and any decisions made regarding the offender’s accountability and rehabilitation.
Distributive Justice
Concerning distributive justice, the emphasis will be on providing support to the victims, creating a safer community for all, and having the offender take responsibility for his actions (Udell & Newmark, 2023). As a principle, distributive justice has a concept of reparation that is highly centered around outcome agreement, which should be a win-win outcome, with John Geer. In the case of John Geer, the notion of distributive justice calls for the assurance that John Geer’s family, receives sufficient financial compensation that takes into account the hospital bills, the pay lost, and other actual losses of the crime (Udell & Newmark, 2023). This could be instigated through rehabilitative justice procedures, including recognition, understanding, and validation from talking with Adam Torres and receiving an apology. This principle is represented by decision-making power over outcome agreements and empowerment from the active role in the restorative power.
The priority is upholding the principle of rehabilitation, which strives to support the offender’s smooth transition to society while protecting the public (Udell & Newmark, 2023). As Adam Torres is the case, distributive justice can be achieved by facilitating his access to rehabilitative programs that are focused on handling aspects that lead to his behavior, including mental health treatment, drug abuse counseling, and vocational training. Torres will receive understanding, empathy, and accountability from talking with the Geer family and repairing the harm he caused to them. This is not only going to reduce the chance of reoffending but will also assure a successful rehabilitation of the life of John Geer and his family, thus enabling his full reintegration into society.
Parallel Model
Moreover, through the government-directed victim justice system (VJS), society repairs the destruction done to the Geer Family while making the Adam Torres accountable (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Besides, the VJS must serve the needs of people regardless of their status before the courts. For the final recommendations, the criminal justice system (CJS) should stress Adam Torres’s accountability through re-education, utilizing parallel approaches where feasible, and improving how victims are treated.
Procedural Justice: Victim Justice System (VJS)
Under the parallel model, the Victim Justice System (VJS) follows the procedural standards designed to support the victim’s recovery, such as in the case of John Geer’s family. Firstly, the VJS creates a platform that allows victims to openly express what happened to them and their needs as victims (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Through this meeting, the family of the deceased can vocalize the grave consequences of their loss and explicitly state their need for fair compensation. Next, VJS case managers specifically assigned to the Geer family’s case will support them during recovery (Seven Days, 2011). These professionals are key players in providing resources and services adapted to the family’s needs, including timely and integrated service for the family (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Besides that, the VJS works as a volunteer and values the victims’ autonomy in deciding their way to justice. This voluntary collaboration ensures that the family members actively participate in their recovery process, creating a feeling of control and power. Notably, the cooperative approach adopted by the VJS insists that the family of the Geers remains critical to every decision regarding their recovery process (Udell & Newmark, 2023). By actively engaging them in discussions and actions, the VJS ensures that the family feels supported and empowered throughout the healing and justice process.
Procedural Justice: Criminal Justice System (VJS)
The involuntary manslaughter of John Geer by Adam Torres brings the focus on the CJS, which must take into consideration the needs of both the Geer family and the Adam Torres. Key to this strategy is showing the victims, Geer’s family, with ultimate respect and sympathy, understanding the grief and loss they experienced because of Torres’s actions (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Accessibility of safety planning services is imperative to address any issues regarding the safety and welfare of Geer’s family during this time so that they do not feel vulnerable through legal procedures. On top of that, the CJS must participate in the family members of Geer in court and let them speak about their feelings, worries, and needs (Herman, 2014). This imparts power to the victims and guarantees that their rights and interests are respected and considered. In addition, the CJS should consider applications of restorative justice, where applicable, to achieve healing and reconciliation between the Geer family and Torres, Adam Torres (Udell & Newmark, 2023). These initiatives provide forums for sincere communication, accountability, and, ultimately, the regaining of trust and peace within the community where the crime occurred. The CJS can achieve this delicate balance through these far-reaching procedural principles, providing a sense of justice and healing for both the victim and the perpetrator.
Distributive Justice
Victim Justice System (VJS)
The Victim Justice System (VJS) applies the criteria of distributive justice in order to assist victims like the Geer family in recovering and re-integrating. Geer’s family requires validation for the injustice they have suffered and recognition of their claim to help (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Crisis intervention, giving immediate assistance with emotional support, and helping to navigate the Criminal Justice System should be rendered to ease the initial turmoil. Moreover, long-term access to resources for continued recovery should be guaranteed, such as mental health services, medical care, and financial compensation for lack of earnings and funeral expenses. The VJS collaborates with community resources and the state victim compensation programs, which provide individualized support to the Geers family by addressing their specific needs.
Distributive Justice: Criminal Justice System
Within the distributive justice concept framework, the Criminal Justice System (CJS) should provide adequate punishment for offenders like Adam Torres who committed the crime. Court orders or restorative outcome agreements should prevail over reparation and justice via paying compensation to Ger’s family (Udell & Newmark, 2023). Rehabilitation is highlighted in the CJS as the cause of Torres’s actions is addressed, and he successfully reintegrated into society as a peaceful citizen. Local agencies within the CJS must emphasize the offender’s accountability to help Torres become aware of the impact of his actions and take responsibility. Guided by these distributive ends, the CJS attempts to fix the imbalance brought about by the involuntary manslaughter of John Geer family members by Adam Torres.
Conclusion
Conclusively, in the context of John Geers` involuntary manslaughter committed by Adam Torres, restorative justice appears to be the most feasible way to exercise justice for this crime. Truthfully, each model has its significant aspects (Goldblum, 2023). However, the restorative model performs the best in this situation as it is able to consider the needs of the victim and offender comprehensively and even invites the involvement of the community to make proper healing possible.
First, one of the merits of the restorative model is its attention to personalized agreements, which can achieve more favorable resolutions for victims (Kratcoski, 2024; Tullis, 2013). Research results showed that the victims who take part in the restorative justice programs have less posttraumatic stress disorder, less desire for revenge, and are more likely to receive reparation (Udell & Newmark, 2023; Seven Days, 2011). John Geer’s family can set forth their grievances using restorative justice, which would be an avenue to get answers to their questions and compensation for their loss (O’Mahony & Doak, 2023). This type of justice respects the uniqueness of victims and their preference for a justice that moves them.
Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the restorative justice model may diminish recidivism rates, particularly for violent offenses (Calkin et al., 2015). Through the process of involving Geer family and Adam Torres in a dialogue aimed at amending the harm done, restorative justice promotes accountability. It encourages the offender to accept responsibility for their actions (Hager, 2020). The case of Adam Torres can be handled by granting him the chance to directly face the consequences of his actions and engage in the process of making amends, which is very likely to result in more remorse and a reduced chance of reoffending in the future (Udell & Newmark, 2023). It not only helps the criminal but also adds to the general security and welfare of society.
References
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Fairfax County Police Department. (2015). Establish a Police Civilian Review Panel, as recommended by the Independent Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission. Retrieved from https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecivilianreviewpanel/sites/policecivilianreviewpanel/files/assets/meetings/2021/jan%2028%20panel%20meeting/meeting%20materials%20part%202.pdf
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Udell, M. G. (2023). Foundational concepts underlying the models. PowerPoint. Retrieved from https://www.blackboard.com
Washington Post. (2016). Ex-Fairfax police officer who killed John Geer sentenced to one year. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2016/06/24/ex-fairfax-police-officer-who-killed-john-geer-returns-to-court-friday-for-sentencing/
WTOPnews. (2015). Fairfax Co., Geer family settles wrongful death suit. Retrieved from https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2015/04/fairfax-county-board-of-supervisors-geer-family-reach-settlement/
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