Killing citizens is profitable. At least it is for the killer of Renee Nicole Good, the woman Jonathan Ross shot three times for attempting to drive away from masked and aggressive ICE agents. As of 4:30 EST, Monday, he stands to pocket $483,676, minus fees, from a GoFundMe campaign set up by a supporter. That total puts him at 88% of the $550,000 goal (no word on why that number was chosen).
You have seen GoFundMe pages for the victims of crime. Now we can contribute to a perp.
(Note: Good had a GoFundMe page. However, the administrator closed it when it reached $1,503,327 (Goal was $50,000). They placed the funds in a trust for the family. And added: “If you’re looking to donate, we encourage you to support others in need. We’re truly grateful.”
It seems that one pro-ICE zealot thought that if a dead woman deserves a fundraiser, then her killer was equally entitled to a piece of the pie. Of course, Good’s fundraiser will not give her bereaved children their mother back. Nor will it replace the love of one partner for another, now brutally extinguished.
In the case of the deceased, Good’s family will have costs to bear. A funeral, lost income, therapy, and all the additional child care expenses a one-parent family encounters.
In Ross’s case, what’s the money for? As a federal cop, whose actions occurred in the line of duty, I am sure the government picks up any legal tab. Not that there will be any charges brought — at least federal. There is no way Trump’s DoJ will prosecute Ross. And Ross can count on a Trump pardon to prevent any Democrat-appointed Attorney General from pursuing the case.
Perhaps Minnesota will try for state charges. However, it is reasonable to assume that any federal/state jurisdictional dispute will make it to the US Supreme Court. And the six conservatives there are likely to side with the feds.
In addition, the feds will cover the cost of any psychological treatment Ross receives. And this is a man who needs help. JD Vance used Ross’s pre-existing mental trauma from a previous car incident as justification for the homicide. This shooting will surely not heal that damage.
Good’s family may well bring a civil suit. But that will be an uphill battle without criminal charges. Besides, you can rest assured that the MAGA billionaire class will spend big bucks to ensure that ICE will not be constrained when a future Republican assumes the presidency. They like the idea of having an imperial president with a C21st Praetorian Guard at his disposal. Why not? This autocratic arrangement has been a big boost to their net wealth, with stellar prospects for more.
One of the class has already shown his allegiance to the cause. Bill Ackman has given $10,000 to Ross. Ackman, who endorsed Trump in the 2024 election, said he supported the fundraiser for Ross because he is a "big believer in our legal principal [sic] that one is innocent until proven guilty.”
Ironically, even if Ross is charged for manslaughter/murder, he can't use the money on legal fees. GoFundMe does not allow its site to be used to fund a criminal defense. According to a spokesperson for the company:
"GoFundMe’s Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers that raise money for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime. Any campaigns that violate this policy will be removed."
However, while the fundraising pitch says, “Funds will go to help him,” it does not specify that the funds will cover his legal fees. Could he still get the money? If he does get the money, it will be tax-free. Individuals can give up to $19,000 to another person in any given year without incurring a gift tax.
This arrangement points to a moral rot in America. Regardless of where they stand on the legality of the shooting, no one questions that Ross did shoot Good and kill her. The only reason he is getting the money is because he shot her. That is reprehensible. Hopefully, it won’t give other ICE agents ideas.
Note: in the time it took me to write this piece, Ross’s total increased to $506,817.
