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Post by stefano on Apr 27, 2021 15:09:50 GMT
That is ok pete f and it was indeed my strong sense of justice that ran right through the thread. I just believe it should be transparent justice through the court system. I can see how you may have misconstrued some of it though as I was a bit teasing at times (although I did add appropriate emojis), and of course I did present a forecast of 'not guilty all counts' (which was of course a parody of the match day thread forecasts I do). 😉
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Apr 29, 2021 1:19:38 GMT
even more important in these backward countries which still have capital punishment. A friend of mine messaged me and asked after the verdict if they had the death penalty in Minnesota. This was before I heard CNN discuss the maximum terms of imprisonment for each offence. Whilst I was quite relieved (if that’s the right word) that there was a guilty verdict on at least one of the three charges after what I had seen and read (albeit not nearly as much as the jury), my immediate reaction to my friend’s question was ‘I f**k**g hope not’. The first firm I worked for in my current profession we had a 75th anniversary party that had just current and former Partners attending. This was a fair few years ago now. Struck up an interesting conversation with a long since retired solicitor who had mainly practised in Civil Litigation. He had also practised earlier in his career in Criminal Law, which he was aware was my practise area. He spoke of one of his cases in some detail and how his case had been heard in the Court of Appeal and House of Lords on an interesting point of law. “They hanged him in the end, of course” he opined toward the end of that particular part of our discussion. Fascinating old boy he was. But what a different time it was for anyone working in criminal justice back when the law allowed such an outcome on our shores. Some still espouse what they see as the virtue of capital punishment. There is no virtue in it. It is barbarism. |
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Post by stewart on Apr 29, 2021 2:14:49 GMT
even more important in these backward countries which still have capital punishment. But what a different time it was for anyone working in criminal justice back when the law allowed such an outcome on our shores. Some still espouse what they see as the virtue of capital punishment. There is no virtue in it. It is barbarism. I agree 100% with your last sentence, especially in America where people sit watching the fluids being pumped into the poor sod's body, excruciatingly disgusting. It's really shocking that some states still try to justify this barbarism, as you rightly describe it. The best that can be said about those years decades ago, when capital punishment was still in force in the UK, was that at least Albert Pierrepoint made sure that the end of lives was swift and sudden. The fact remains, though, what right did anyone have to take those lives, whatever the owners of those lives had previously done? There were also horrific miscarriages of justice, as in the cases of Timothy Evans and Derek Bentley. I sat in front of my TV for the whole of the Chauvin trial, and thank goodness that young woman had the presence of mind to shoot that video. If ever a criminal, a police officer entrusted with the safety of the public, deserved to receive the maximum sentence for a callous murder, then he certainly does. |
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Post by stewart on May 3, 2021 1:34:03 GMT
This thread should have plenty of life left in it, Stefano will be pleased to know.
Now that Chauvin has been found guilty of murder, the three other officers will also face state charges at a trial to be held in August. As I see it, there will be extreme complications in their trial, not only because they will each be represented by their own defence lawyers, but also it is difficult to see how a jury can be appointed without prejudice as there can surely be nobody who has not watched the Chauvin trial and the damning video.
On top of that, all four ex-officers are now going to be facing federal charges in respect of civil rights violations. I have no idea what difference that will make to their ultimate sentences.
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Post by stewart on May 4, 2021 22:56:39 GMT
Would you believe it? www.wsj.com/articles/derek-chauvin-seeks-new-trial-in-george-floyd-murder-case-11620167558Chauvin didn't get a fair trial and there was also inappropriate behaviour by the prosecution and the jury! Doesn't seem to matter that the whole world watched him keep his knee on the man's neck for nine minutes, and even after he had no pulse and was non-responsive. Whatever next? This motion surely doesn't have a hope in hell's chance in succeeding. |
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Post by stefano on May 5, 2021 7:32:22 GMT
Can't say I am surprised stewart and I added a note of caution throughout the trial that what millions of people across the world thought before the trial was of no relevance.
It is the evidence itself put before the court that is the only thing to consider.
The judge himself remarked in court even before the verdict that the defence may well have grounds for appeal following inappropriate public remarks by an American politician the day before the jury retired to consider their verdict.
This of course is not an appeal. He is going for a full re-trial with a new judge and jury. It is a no lose way to use the system of course as if he is unsuccessful in this bid he will still have the right to appeal.
I suppose this is what you get when you present what should be the solemn proceedings of a criminal court as a Hollywood style televised circus for entertainment.
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