I disagree that is 'victim blaming'.
On the contrary, I think the prosecutor (not the media, who quoted him) is stating that there was no intention on Samantha's part: she wasn't expecting anyone , she wasn't blind to the risk of leaving her door open in Detroit. She simply made a mistake and didn't completely close it behind her. And that simple, ordinary mistake lead to her death.
People make mistakes, most people don't blame them for it.
No one is saying 'the accused made a tragic mistake'!
JMO
Yes... I made a "mistake" by attributing the statement to the media instead of to the prosecutor.
But... in reference to Sam making a "mistake" by allegedly not locking her door....
The only reason it is a mistake is because of the crazy actions of an outside influence.
example:
Perhaps all situ was the same... but instead of an outside monster who makes "mistake"...
and a fire suddenly breaks out in her home...
and she is able to get out in time to save herself from the fire...
would leaving the door open be called a mistake then?
Or perhaps be called a blessing?
Further...
Say some Jane Doe habitually closes and locks bedroom door upon bed time... to create one more barrier to some home invasion.
Perhaps that locking action could be considered wisdom if it prevents harm from a surprising event such as an intruder...
However... if somehow room catches on equally surprising fire...
and Jane Doe is not able to get out of her locked room in time to save her own life...
Judgment of "wisdom" changes to "mistake"...
I am not trying to be argumentative...
I just feel that adjectives that lead to judgement should be eliminated when describing events where victims are not responsible for the tragedy that befalls them.
All JMO