Two years is a long time for justice to be served

“We’re a nation of the rule of law.”

That line is repeated so often by government officials from the president on down that for most Americans it has become political Muzak — in the background with no one paying much attention to it.

But being a nation of laws does mean something when President Barack Obama uses it to tout the virtues of democracy, or Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tries to persuade dictatorial regimes to change their lawless ways.

But what happens when the law is blatantly violated by an American citizen who is protected by a foreign country — an American ally, at that?

In the case of Claudia C. Hoerig, nothing.

Two years have passed since the former Trumbull County resident fled to her native Brazil after allegedly murdering her husband, Karl Hoerig, and yet this nation of the rule of law appears disturbingly paralyzed.

Karl Hoerig, a major in the Air Force Reserve, was found in their Newton Falls home in March 2007, but by then Claudia, who had kept her Brazilian citizenship, fled the country. She is now living in her native land, and so far has defied all requests for her to return to Warren to stand trial.

She was indicted on a charge of aggravated murder with a gun specification.

The Brazilian government has refused Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins’ request for extradition of the accused, and has put forth the ridiculous suggestion that she could be tried in Brazil.

It’s either that America’s trading partner thinks that we’re all a bunch of fools, or that we’re so desperate for trade that our government would be willing to turn a blind eye to justice not being served.

Lackadaisical attitude

Despite pleas for assistance from Watkins, other local officials and the region’s members of Congress, the Obama White House appears to have adopted the same lackadaisical attitude as was displayed by the White House under former President George W. Bush.

But the lack of a sense of urgency by individuals who have the ability to do something to further the cause of justice for the family of the late Maj. Hoerig does not mean this issue is going to fade.

Over the past two years, we have given our unstinting support to Prosecutor Watkins and Congressman Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, who has made direct appeals to the White House, the State Department, the Justice Department and even the Brazilian Embassy.

Now, Ryan and Congressman John Boccieri of Alliance, D-16th, formerly of New Middletown and a major in the Air Force Reserve, are turning to the Democratic controlled House and Senate to secure Claudia Hoerig’s extradition.

“I’m not going to sit back and allow Claudia Hoerig to escape justice,” Ryan said last week, as he and Boccieri introduced a resolution demanding action. “It is imperative that the Brazilian government honor reciprocity with the extradition treaty as we aim to seek justice and closure for the Hoerig family.”

And here’s a personal statement from Boccieri:

“Karl fought for all of us. and now we must fight for him. Brazil’s unwillingness to live up to the spirit of our mutual, but uneven extradition treaty is unacceptable. Karl is my friend, and I will not stand by and let this case escape justice.”

Note the use of the word is — as opposed to use of word was.

So long as Karl Hoerig’s killer remains at large, he will not rest in peace.

The fight for justice must continue.