Case Report: Judicial Resolution and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16

Case Summary: Cheyenne Coin Shop Homicide Trial

A judicial trial conducted during the week of July 21-25 resulted in a conviction in a homicide case that had remained unresolved for ten years. The key details of the case are as follows:

• Defendant: Douglas M. Smith
• Verdict: Guilty of murder in the first degree.
• Victims: Dwight Brockman and George Manley.
• Case Status: Previously designated as a “cold case.”
• Initiating Action: A case review was directed by the newly appointed Cheyenne Police Chief, Mark Francisco.

Analysis of Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The resolution of this case directly supports the objectives outlined in SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

1. SDG Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.
   • The successful prosecution and conviction uphold the rule of law by holding a perpetrator accountable for violent actions.
   • It ensures that justice is delivered for the victims and their community, reinforcing the principle that severe crimes will be addressed by the legal system, regardless of the time elapsed.
2. SDG Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions.
   • The proactive review of a cold case by the Cheyenne Police Department, under new leadership, demonstrates institutional capacity and commitment to its mandate.
   • This action strengthens the police force as a key institution responsible for public safety and justice, building community trust and confidence.
3. SDG Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.
   • By ensuring accountability for a brutal double homicide, the judicial outcome serves as a deterrent against future violence.
   • It reinforces the societal framework dedicated to preventing and responding to violent crime, contributing to the long-term goal of reducing violence-related deaths.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article directly addresses themes central to SDG 16. It discusses a “brutal Coin Shop slaying,” which relates to reducing violence. The subsequent “trial,” the defendant being “found guilty of murder,” and the involvement of the “Cheyenne Police Chief” all point to the functions of justice and state institutions responsible for maintaining law and order.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The article’s core subject is the “brutal Coin Shop slaying” and the “murder” of two individuals, Dwight Brockman and George Manley. This directly relates to the goal of reducing violent deaths.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   The mention of a “trial” where the defendant “was found guilty” is a clear illustration of the justice system in action. It demonstrates the process of promoting the rule of law by holding an individual accountable for a crime.

3. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions… to prevent violence and combat… crime.

   The article highlights the role of the “Cheyenne Police” as a key institution. The action of the “new Cheyenne Police Chief” directing a “review of the case” as a “cold case” demonstrates an effort to strengthen institutional capacity to solve crimes, even those that are 10 years old.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population.

   The article explicitly states that there were two victims of murder: “Dwight Brockman” and “George Manley.” This provides a direct data point (two homicides) for this indicator.

2. Implied Indicator: Conviction rate for homicide.

   While not an official UN indicator, the conviction rate is a key measure of justice system effectiveness under Target 16.3. The article states the defendant “was found guilty of murder in the first degree,” which represents a successful conviction and serves as a data point for this metric.

3. Implied Indicator: Clearance rate of cold cases.

   The article describes the successful resolution of a “cold case” from “10 years ago” following a review directed by the new Police Chief. The successful conclusion of this case is an example of institutional effectiveness (Target 16.a) and can be measured by the rate at which such old cases are solved.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wyomingnews.com