Phil Mickelson, a prominent golfer, expressed deep frustration with the US justice system following a heartfelt speech from a father about his daughter’s murder during a Congressional Committee hearing.
On Monday, Stephen Federico spoke at the House Judicial Subcommittee meeting held in Charlotte, North Carolina. He shared details about the tragic death of his 22-year-old daughter, Logan.
Logan was killed while visiting a friend near the University of South Carolina.
The accused had a troubling history, with 39 previous arrests and 25 felony charges, yet he was still at liberty.
Mickelson took to social media, saying, “The judge who let this person go should be held accountable and incarcerated.”
Federico recounted the terrifying last moments his daughter faced before her death.
“Imagine coming home from a night out with a friend, only to wake up to someone in the room, kneeling over her, begging for her life,” he said.
“She was just 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 115 pounds. I’m exhausted from speaking about this, but I won’t stop until there’s justice. We need to stop enabling those who take lives. You all have the power to make a change.”
Federico criticized the leniency shown to his daughter’s killer, suggesting that the judicial system prioritized protecting him over the safety of others.
“They seemed more focused on averting jail time for him than on the risk he posed to others,” he noted. “His offenses escalated, leading to the ultimate tragedy. We’re currently consulting with a lawyer in South Carolina regarding the possibility of pursuing the death penalty, as it meets the criteria.”
