The notion that "Justice is blind" is often proclaimed, yet as 1971 drew to a close, such a maxim might have appeared far from reality, especially to individuals like Paul and Lillian Storment. Their daughter, Pauline Storment, a 27-year-old student at the University of Arkansas, had tragically fallen victim to a brutal attack. She was mercilessly stabbed seven times on her way home from the campus library around 9:30pm on April 12th.
But why would faith in the justice system waver?
Consider the passage of time. As days melted into weeks, then months, and eventually years, it becomes all too easy to lose confidence in a system that seems to exert its protective power more frequently to aid those with social standing or financial means.
The question lingers: Did Wallace Peter Kunkel, the potential assailant, escape consequences? This may remain forever shrouded in mystery, as he passed away in 2020 or 2021, depending on the veracity of various online obituaries.
Now, let's draw a parallel to the West Memphis Three—a trio of young men imprisoned for a murder conviction primarily based on their choice of attire. I mention this not to encourage any pursuit of Kunkel's family for the sake of victimization or tarnishing the name of a man cleared by law enforcement. This sentiment arises despite the fact that my second cousin's murderer remains at large.
So, what spurred me to launch this platform?
The motivation was clear: to reevaluate the evidence. My intention involves submitting Freedom of Information Act (F.O.I.A) requests if necessary, in order to access any concealed records that have eluded public view. I embark on this journey with the hope that a fresh perspective might uncover details overlooked by previous investigators. Moreover, I believe it's essential to share Pauline's story. It's a tragedy that her unresolved murder continues to cast a shadow, half a century later, and her narrative deserves the light of justice.
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