All this time we've been wondering why Burke wouldn't talk and now we're attacking him before we've ever seen the interview. I agree that I don't expect much, but how about we back off a little bit from the mud slinging before we see what he has to say? We can attack his interview on its merits once we've seen it.
I really can't tell you where I'd land on this myself. On one side, I had a horrible childhood; and on the other, I wouldn't hurt the memory of my parents by dragging all of that muck out for everyone to see. Burke may have done it, may know who did it or may have no idea. Given any one of those options, what part of the media or public opinion would have been fair with him? I blame him for every choice he's made just as I blame myself for everything in my past. That's one hell of a lot of responsibility to dump on a 9 year old child. Let's not forget that his parents were making the decisions for him--and when he was 18 he was supposed to abandoned all the years of his parent's care and advice, go to the police and confess everything he knew--betraying everyone who loved or cared for him. That's a really sick way to look at the world.
I don't know what decisions I would have made if I was in his shoes. I don't know what he knows. I don't know if he's protecting himself or someone he loves. I see a whole lot of moral ambiguity here. His sister was murdered and he was whisked-off and put in a bubble. He wasn't allowed to watch TV or go to the grocery store because John and Patsy were afraid of what he might see. But I guarantee he heard it. He knew what was going on because he had friends who probably watched those programs and reported back to him. He got the news because kids see it and talk. So where does he go from there? 9 to 18. One half of his life to adulthood and he has to follow and respect his parents wishes. Did he jump out at 18 to tell the world? No. I wouldn't have either. I know someone is going to argue that this is about right and wrong--a murder is always wrong. The problem is by the time he reached adulthood, his sister had been gone for half of his life. Is it really such an easy decision to betray your mother, your father and the rest of your family and take everything you know to the police.