ESPN Legal Analyst Condemns Duke Player's Assertion of Innocence as Attempt to Taint Jury Pool

ESPN/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

May 16, 2006

For those who think that sports broadcasts might offer a respite from liberal media spin . . . think again. At least when it comes to ESPN [an arm of ABC] the same ESPN that fired Rush Limbaugh for expressing his views on QB Donovan McNabb.

This time, ESPN let its liberal slip show in the matter of the Duke rape allegations. Yesterday, in the wake of his indictment, former lacrosse captain David Evans appeared before the press to assert his absolute innocence and those of his two co-defendants.

To comment on Evans' press appearance, ESPN, during the overnight edition of Sports Center, brought in its "legal analyst," a former Philly prosecutor by the name of Deborah Robinson. Commenting on Evans' press appearance, Robinson, with ill-concealed anger, claimed:

"It has no significance for the trial whatsoever. It's significant because it's unprecedented. I've never seen a defendant have a press conference before the trial even begins. . . It's tainting potential jurors, and that's what I think is the most significant thing about this press conference. The defense is trying to paint a picture for those jurors who will eventually hear the case about the defendant before the case even begins."

So let's get this straight. According to ESPN's employee, it is wrong for someone who passionately believes he has been wrongly accused of a heinous crime to publicly assert his innocence. Falsely accused defendants should simply sit in silence and take it.

Odd - I don't recall Robinson similarly condemning DA-cum-candidate Mike Nifong for his 70 press interviews and his public assertion that he believes the accuser - which of course amounts to accusing the defendant's of the crime. Guess outrage only works one way for ESPN's "legal analyst."

[apro]

I heard this idiot driving into work the other day, and yes he was a black guy 'cause his one of the regular callers on the sport station I listen to everyday and he has identify himself as such in numerious occasions. Anyway, this idiot had the nerve to say that they ONLY indicted them, and so what if it was based on a false accusation, its not like they got falsely convicted and serving jail time like so many innocent black americans, now they, the white kids(like they personally had anything to do with putting innocent black americans behind bars) know how black people feel. I couldn't believe what I was hearing, the two hosts of the radio station really put him in his place though and every other caller who called after him, let 'im have it. Will the stupidity in people never end.

[piasa]

Is this the Deborah Robinson who later ends up presiding as a judge over Sandy Berger’s case?