Jessica Carter faces the aftermath of her brother Richard Ware's murder and her nephew Jesse Darjean's unsolved killing. Despite declining murder rates in L.A. County, police clearance rates have not improved, leading to frustration and sorrow within families like Carter's. Compton's violent crime rate has fallen significantly since the early 1990s, but justice remains elusive. Authorities declined to charge Ware's killer, citing self-defense, a decision that the family contests. The victims' families remain plagued by grief and unanswered questions about the justice system's effectiveness.
Carter's hometown of Compton is still crawling out from under its reputation as a national epicenter for gang violence. But for all of its continued struggles, violent crime - especially killings - has plummeted.
Murder rates are falling to lows not seen since the late 1960s. Yet clearance rates have remained relatively steady, indicating fewer murderers are being brought to justice.
In the absence of arrests and charges, Carter and her family have simmered with rage, grief and frustration, questioning the effectiveness of modern police resources.
The L.A. County district attorney's office declined to file charges against the man who stabbed Ware, finding evidence of self-defense, a decision disputed by the family.
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