I had no idea when I went to ABC News' website to check out an alert that a University of Georgia professor was being pursued as a suspect in a multiple-murder case including his estranged wife, I would find the name of George Zinkhan and a photo of his familiar face. I hope to God that the rumors are not true, but there are enough circumstantial details that lead one to suspect it is true.
In my experience, George Zinkhan, as a professor, was very good and professional. I would never have expected these allegations; it doesn't fit with what I remember of the man. Yet something very wrong happened in Georgia, and nobody is above the law. I pray for the victims of this crime and tragedy and the children whom have lost their mother--and possibly the presence of their father in their lives. If and when Dr. Zinkhan is apprehended, I hope that he will be extended his full Constitutional rights, including that of a fair trial.
[7/28/12, further edits 8/18/12]. Corrections and follow-up: I originally referenced my academic retrospective Christmas Eve post; it was actually in a subsequent post, "Need for Educational Choice for Inner City Schools", when I first discussed Dr. Zinkhan. Second error: I identified victim murder Marie Bruce as Zinkhan's ex-wife (based on mistaken news accounts, e.g., click here); in fact, Zinkhan did have an ex-wife and children (from his first marriage) in Texas. Zinkhan was in the process of divorcing Marie Bruce but hoped for a reconciliation. Zinkhan's body was found a few days later a few miles away after the murders; he had shot himself in a covered self-dug grave. I do a follow-up on the Zinkhan story in my 7/22/12 post.
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| Courtesy AP |
