(In)Justice: Killer Privilege - Episode 4: The Rebellion
Host: Katie Strick
Production: Evening Standard | Message Heard
Release Date: June 5, 2025
Introduction to Tragic Parallels
The episode opens with Katie Strick introducing the heartrending stories of two mothers, Cheryl Simmons and Katya Faber, each grappling with the brutal loss of their sons. Cheryl shares the devastating loss of her daughter Julie, who was killed by her then-boyfriend, paralleling Katya's own suffering over her son Alex's murder by Bennet, a privileged university friend.
Notable Quote:
Cheryl Simmons [00:19]: "To say we were close is an understatement. She was attached at the hip."
Cheryl Simmons' Grief and Insight
Cheryl recounts Julie's vibrant personality and her own deep connection as a mother. She expresses her maternal instincts that foreshadowed the tragedy, revealing her fears about Julie's relationship with Bennet.
Notable Quote:
Cheryl Simmons [00:46]: "I hate so much that I didn't give her that part of the intuition to see into people's faces or souls that not everybody was fixable."
Katya Faber's Initial Struggle for Justice
Katya Faber, Alex's mother, is introduced as she connects with Cheryl through an online grief platform. Both mothers share a profound bond over their shared experiences of losing a child and the ensuing legal battles against their children's killers.
Notable Quote:
Katya Faber [03:54]: "It's almost as if you're annihilated. I mean, a part of me just leaves the body."
The Appeal and Legal Loopholes
In 2019, Bennet’s legal team appeals his conviction under Article 263, a Swiss law that reduces sentences for individuals deemed intoxicated and therefore not fully responsible for their actions. This maneuver drastically shortens Bennet's sentence from twelve and a half years to just three years, leading to his immediate release.
Notable Quote:
Frank Erbenjock [09:24]: "The appealing court... they said, no, Bennett was incompetent because of the drugs and he did not know what he did."
Katya's Transformation: From Grief to Defiance
Devastated by the appeal's outcome, Katya transitions from a grieving mother to a fierce defender for justice. Determined not to let Bennet walk free, she abandons her anonymity and publicly challenges the legal system, advocating for the repeal of Article 263.
Notable Quote:
Katya Faber [06:16]: "Something is wrong and you know that it's wrong. It gives you a strength that perhaps you didn't know you had."
The Role of Mothers in Pursuing Justice
The episode delves into the phenomenon of mothers often becoming the primary advocates for their lost children. Through discussions with Cheryl and observations from friends, it becomes evident that the maternal instinct to protect and defend is a driving force behind such relentless pursuits for justice.
Notable Quote:
Cheryl Simmons [26:17]: "If you think about it, we carry those babies inside of us for nine months. My daughter heard my heart before anybody even knew it."
Breaking Through Legal Barriers
Katya’s unwavering determination leads her to challenge the legal system, navigating through Switzerland's direct democracy to potentially alter or remove Article 263. Despite immense emotional and financial strain, she persists, embodying the resilience and strength forged from her grief.
Notable Quote:
Katya Faber [17:14]: "I have to fight this... I have to fight this for Alex and for anyone else who's ever going to be in this situation."
Supreme Court Intervention and Final Verdict
In 2021, the Swiss Supreme Court overturns the initial appeal decision, mandating a re-hearing that upholds Bennet’s original conviction. Katya and supporters celebrate this legal victory, feeling a profound sense of justice finally being served after years of struggle.
Notable Quote:
Katya Faber [28:13]: "It was a huge sense of relief of having done right by Alex."
Bennet’s Release and Lingering Injustice
Despite the final conviction, Bennet's release from a lavish rehab center and subsequent parole on the anniversary of Alex's death leaves Katya feeling that true justice remains unfulfilled. Bennett's lack of genuine remorse and continued freedom exacerbate Katya's grief, highlighting systemic issues within the justice system.
Notable Quote:
Katya Faber [30:56]: "Alex was still dead. And somehow I had all this energy that I challenged into fighting for him and doing right by him was now somehow not needed anymore."
The Psychological Toll and Continuing Struggle
The episode concludes by exploring the ongoing emotional and psychological burdens borne by Katya and Cheryl. Their relentless fight underscores the profound impact of loss and the lengths to which a mother will go to seek justice for her child, often at great personal cost.
Notable Quote:
Katya Faber [22:51]: "I couldn't really concentrate very much. I would read a page and I would forget it."
Conclusion: The Cost of (In)Justice
"In)Justice: Killer Privilege" Episode 4, "The Rebellion," poignantly illustrates the intersection of wealth, privilege, and the justice system. Through Katya's and Cheryl's stories, the episode exposes legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to evade appropriate punishment, and it highlights the extraordinary lengths mothers will undertake to honor and seek justice for their lost children.
Credits:
Produced by Sophie McNulty. Senior Producer: Harry Stott. Production Coordinator: James Cox. Executive Producers: Sandra Ferrari, Anna Van Praagh, Jake Warren. Sound Editing: Lizzie Andrews and Alan Lear. Music Composition: Tom Biddle.