But he sang in the choir

I hate to read stories like this one. it perpetuates the myth that going to church in some way makes you a better person.

Christopher Dean Trivett was shot and killed by police. He was suspected of a string of home break-ins, attempted sexual assault, and two attempted murders. When confronted by police, he fired on them and then tried to escape. The police, doing what police do best, unloaded on him. Trivett died from his wounds.

The Courier-Times, a local Roxboro and Person County newspaper, published an article that attempts to paint this criminal in the best possible light. A Christian light. The family pastor describes him as good and quiet, as "always in church". Triviett boss was equally mystified, it's "totally out of character". What? This guy did exactly what he has a record of doing. Does three months of employment and church attendance wash away the sins of a seriously screwed up character? Hell no.

Lets look at the facts:

Trivett had a lengthy criminal record for break-ins, larcenies, and drunk driving.

Trivett had an extensive criminal record in Person and Granville counties and in Virginia dating to 2002, according to North Carolina Department of Correction records.

A Virginia court placed Trivett on probation in November 2007 after he was convicted a September 2003 larceny.

Trivett was released from a North Carolina prison in July 2006 after serving nearly 2 1/2 years for a probation violation. He had been placed on probation on July 22, 2003, for a series of larcenies and breaking-and-entering of homes and vehicles over nine days in November of that year.

Trivett was ruled in violation of that probation when he was convicted in February 2004 for a motor-vehicle theft committed on July 10, 2003.

The real story is much different than the puff piece written about his tragic death. Trivett was a career criminal who was sliding down the social ladder, not pulling himself up through involvement with his church. What a crock of shit. Why didn't his pastor notice?

Approximately one month ago after a Sunday morning church service, Howle said, Trivett asked if he could read scripture the following week.

That is a normal practice in his church, Howle said, so he allowed Trivett to read from the Old Testament of the Bible and “his family was very proud of him.” Howle said he had heard Trivett singing in church and noticed he had a good voice.

“We were trying to possibly talk him into coming into the choir,” Howle noted. “The church accepted him and I really believe he liked being in church.”

So at the same time Trivett was playing the choirboy, he was also out breaking into houses and attempting to rape and kill unsuspecting women. I am the only one who this this type of reporting is useless? Of course Trivett was acting like a criminal. He was a criminal. Three months in church does not make a criminal whole.

And yes - in case you think I've lost my mind. I've had a couple of bad days. This is just me in a bad mood.

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