Pursuit of Justice?

At what point does pursuit of justice become harassment?

Nancy Mason's death was deemed an accident until many months later when, suddenly, the Sheriff's department and others labeled Dan Mason as a murderer. No evidence supports this allegation.

Dan Mason and Mr Gallegos have answered the same questions over and over again since the event. Nothing changed in their description of what had happened and no substantial inconsistencies were uncovered.

Dan Mason's house and vehicle were searched and no evidence to support the allegation of murder was found. Three computers used for running Dan's businesses were removed and not returned. While no evidence was found, false allegations leaked to the press that someone had used a search engine from one of the computers to search for "How to make a bomb". This false allegation was later changed to the more sensational "How to kill a person".

While due diligence in the pursuit of justice is understandable and even admirable, at some point a line can be crossed. Every time that line is crossed, it threatens the civil liberties of each of us.

The Sheriff’s Department told employers that Mr Gallegos and Dan Mason were murderers. They made the same allegations to Dan Mason's doctor and neighbors. Friends and family received phone warnings that Dan Mason was a dangerous murderer. Without a trial, a hearing, an arrest or even any hard evidence, they told people that Dan Mason was a murderer. Dan Mason may not have been convicted in the courts but he was convicted in their minds. As a result, they pressed this unsubstantiated “verdict” on all who would listen.

The hood ornaments on both of Dan Mason's vehicles were at one time broken off and replaced with a detective's business card with the words "Catch you later, Dan!" written on the back.

Every time Dan Mason had to move, he was accused in the press of "running away". The first time, he and thirteen other investors in a business in Colorado decided to relocate it to Atlanta, Georgia. This was hardly a surreptitious move as it involved a 17 foot Ryder truck with a tow trolley rented in Dan Mason's name. Nevertheless, articles were placed in numerous newspapers claiming that he had "fled from justice and was now running from the law."

When their business in Atlanta failed and many of these thirteen individuals cut their investment losses and went elsewhere for work, it was again put reported through public newspapers that Dan Mason was on the run. When Dan temporarily relocated to West Texas to care for his elderly and dying mother in her last days, he was accused in the media again of "running away". Due to an accident, Dan Mason underwent an arm and shoulder reconstruction and relocated to Dallas to undergo at least five more surgical procedures over a period of three years. Nevertheless, he was accused of "running away" to Dallas as well.

Over and over again, false information has been leaked to the media and fictional "reenactments" have been staged. Yet two separate district attorneys have concluded that there is no real evidence to indicate the death of Nancy Mason was anything more than an accident. Despite the fact that no charges have ever been filed, these tactics have ensured that two men accused of a very serious crime can never get a fair trial or even live a normal life without the stigma of “murderer”.