I didn’t follow the Chauvin case closely, and I didn’t hear the evidence or arguments the jury heard. Like everyone else, I was appalled at the first video that came out, but I also saw some other videos, and I’ve heard some things that cast doubt on Chauvin’s guilt. Still, absent some clear evidence of misconduct, I think it’s best to assume the jury did their job and reached the right verdict.
But we have to face the fact that they were operating in a very ugly environment. Hanging over their heads was the threat of widespread rioting and looting if they did not convict. Most of the media presented the case as a foregone conclusion, and said the only possible way to a not guilty verdict was if the jury was racist. (I am so sick of that accusation.)
There were clear threats of violence if the jury did not reach the “right” verdict. The jury members may have feared not only for the safety of the city, but for their own safety, or the safety of their families. The mob insisted on having its way, and the civil authorities have shown a reluctance to stop them.
This is not the way justice is supposed to work.
We have become way too accustomed to people leaping to conclusions before the facts are in, and we’ve also been way too accommodating of this mob mentality.
This is not a new thing. According to this article, there were similar pressures in the Sam Sheppard case, on which the movie Fugitive was based. And it seems every culture has to fight a constant battle against mob justice.
Right now — no matter what you think of the result of the Chauvin case — the battle seems to be going in the wrong direction.
QUOTE: I didn’t follow the Chauvin case closely, and I didn’t hear the evidence or arguments the jury heard. Like everyone else, I was appalled at the first video that came out, but I also saw some other videos, and I’ve heard some things that cast doubt on Chauvin’s guilt. Still, absent some clear evidence of misconduct, I think it’s best to assume the jury did their job and reached the right verdict.
I followed it and the prosecution did a masterful job presenting evidence that methodically covered all charges and left little doubt of Chauvin’s culpability. It’s a rare day to see a police captain, another officer of the law, medical professionals, coroner and witnesses speak with such unity. In this case, it is indeed a valid assumption the jury did their job and reached an appropriate verdict.
QUOTE But we have to face the fact that they were operating in a very ugly environment. Hanging over their heads was the threat of widespread rioting and looting if they did not convict.
We do not know if the jury felt or succumbed to external pressure. Therefore, it is unnecessarily presumptive to think it had any bearing on the jury’s verdict. Yet, we know for certain, according to the rules of our justice system, the jury was instructed to focus on the evidence presented during the trial. Indeed, the justice system worked just as it should in this case…the prosecution made its case, the defense offered its perspective in an attempt raise reasonable doubt, and the jury weighed all the arguments and evidence and came to a unanimous decision.
QUOTE: Right now — no matter what you think of the result of the Chauvin case — the battle seems to be going in the wrong direction.
Indeed, it is going in the wrong direction when we see a wild, lawless mob bombarding the nation’s Capital building, sustained allegations of widespread voter fraud without credible evidence presented in a court of law, attempts to coerce state government officials to change certified election outcomes and more. As for the Chauvin case, it seems the system worked effectively. Unfortunately, a man tragically lost his life for us to see it operating as intended. This man didn’t get his day in court because the officer sworn to uphold the law took it into his hands and became judge, jury and executioner…clearly the wrong direction.
Hey, wait a minute! That mob bombarding the Capitol building were kissing and hugging the police. That’s what Trump said. Tucker Carlson said something somewhat different, but no less consoling. That so-called mob entered the building with ideas from the Constitution rather than guns. Plainly the right direction!
Wow! That sounds like quite the love-in. I suppose we’ll just have to leave it up to observers to determine if this is the right or wrong direction…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWOPlNf8-JY