The state’s decision not to prosecute Ayla Reynold’s father, Justin DiPietro, his ex-girlfriend Courtney Roberts and Justin’s sister Elisha DiPietro, in regard to Ayla’s disappearance is sensibly supported by what the case evidence is and is not.

First, the evidence is what lawyers term “real” rather than “circumstantial.” Being real, the state doesn’t have benefit of citing Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” where Puck exclaims: “If circumstances lead me, I will find where truth is hid.”

Real evidence in this case includes Ayla’s blood in the basement, on her slippers, on the living room sofa, on a doll’s face, on a fan cord in the basement, on a plastic tote and bloody sheet inside it, on her father’s mattress and sheet, together with saliva and possibly vomit, etc.

Circumstantial evidence may lead us, but real evidence may, as here, mystify us. When it does, Edmund Burke, famed English statesman, 1729 to 1797, opined an often-quoted truism: “Where mystery begins, justice ends.”

The state police believe the three adults who were in the house when Ayla disappeared have not told them everything they know. Mystery confronts the state.

Human nature seemingly stands in the way of dispelling this mystery. None of us is perfect; at one time or another, any one of us have withheld truth for self-serving purpose. Why? Because truth hurts! Hurts a lot!

The state believes the three adults hold keys to unlock this mystery. That contention points up the pity of not having the benefit of the key of the fourth one who also was there.

Ayla.

John Benoit

Manchester