Let The Sleeping Starlet Lie

"Justice delayed is justice denied." - William Gladstone

Just what is justice?

One definition: "the quality of being fair and reasonable."

But "fair and reasonable" to whom? The victim or the accused? Or, in this ghastly time, to the media and its disciples?

As anyone with an internet connection knows, the state of California is flush with cash. So it makes perfect sense that the people of California would spring for a new investigation into a 30-year-old accidental death. Or was it?

Or does it matter?

Natalie Wood, the phenomenally talented and beautiful actress, died under somewhat suspicious circumstances on 29 November, 1981 off the coast of Catalina Island. Perhaps had she not suffered from an awful fear of the water, the accidental death ruling would have sufficed, the loss accepted and regretted. Perhaps had there been no argument....

But even thirty years down the road, there is money to be made. A new book is out and the accompanying tour is lighting on every formerly reputatable news show. So the state of California, in the name of justice above solvency, has reopened its investigation into Natalie Wood's death.

But what could possibly come from this? By all accounts, there were only four people on the yacht -- one, Natalie, is dead; one wrote a book; one is "not a suspect;" one has remained quiet.

There's no time limit on the truth, and a good story still has legs. But odds are the state is not chasing some nose-broke killing machine here. We are a nation of laws, we are told, and justice, though a moving target, should be a perpetual goal. However, the reasonable exercise of common sense should also be a goal. Some stories should remain mysteries.