Zach Sowers is technically alive. The four young men who brutally beat the-then 27-year-old Baltimore City resident into a coma June 2 as he was walking home to his Patterson Park home didn?t finish him. But they ended his life. And they ruined those of his loved ones.
None of those convicted of the beating was charged with murder. Zach?s wife, Anna Sowers, regrets the legal loophole preventing prosecutors from charging her husband?s attackers with what they deserve. She wants those who commit similar crimes to face murder charges if the victim falls into a coma and remains in a persistent vegetative state for more than four to six weeks. She is crafting legislation she wants Democratic Baltimore City Sen. George Della to present to the state legislature for consideration. Sen. Della could not be reached by press time for his views on the legislation.
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But it makes sense. It would cost nothing and give victims justice, if not their lives back.
Her husband?s case is uncommon. Comas rarely last more than four weeks. When they last longer, like Zach?s at nine months and counting, it is as if the person died even if his or her body remains. Some people do emerge after years. Most do not. They deserve the full force of the law on their side.
In this particular case, the four who beat him showed no remorse. They did not call police. And they shamelessly used his credit cards after abandoning him between a car and a curb in a pool of blood. One of the attackers, 18-year-old Arthur Jeter, robbed and beat another man days later. He was also convicted of assault in juvenile court and sentenced to probation mere days before he participated in Sowers? attack.
In eight years, three of those convicted will be out of prison; one will spend 40 years behind bars ? if they serve their full terms. Zach may never emerge from his prison. The very least legislators can do is to allow those who commit murder to be charged with it. That may not bring Anna Sowers? “perfect life” back. But it would allow her to honor him and the justice system to more fully value human life.
