Mark - Judges 19

Gruesome chapter once again. These people are given no names so I'll assume they were your ordinary "joes" of the day. The Levite must know the dangers of travel so why not stay one more night and leave early the next morning? His father in law is a gracious host and is happy his daughter has this man. Instead he uses poor judgement which results in the death of not only his wife but someones daughter. He now wants Israel to avenge her death. Is he not a coward for letting her be taken in the first place? Was she just another possession?