Is There Justice Two Years After Brisenia Flores’ Death?

On May 30, 2009 Brisenia Flores and her father Raúl were killed in their Arizona home. Brisenia’s mother Gina was also shot. Two years later, two of those accused of killing Brisenia and her father are behind bars, both Shawna Forde and Jason Bush were sentenced to death — Bush was given an additional 65 years behind bars.

A third suspect in Brisenia’s death, Albert Gaxiola, has a trial underway; jury selection for his trial is currently taking place in Arizona.

Brisenia was only nine years old, and although her killers may spend the rest of their days in jail, nothing can ever bring her back. Her death was partly attributable to the atmosphere of anti-Latino sentiment that exists — and thrives — in Arizona, allowing people like Forde and Bush (not to mention Jared Laughner) to work towards violence and hate with impunity.

This atmosphere, I dare say, also contributed to the deaths of Marine veteran José Guerena and Juan Varelas in Arizona. How many more must die or be injured in Arizona before we realize that such anti-Latino sentiment and violence is, in the end, going to hurt us all?

Follow Sara Inés Calderón on Twitter @SaraChicaD