This is true in all cases in our vaunted "Criminal Justice System". The media over-exposes the more salacious charges in a high-visibility case, while giving no credence to the circumstances leading to the action. Just search for any MSM story on a defensive firearm use for examples.
Another problem is the costs involved. The real Criminal gets his paid for -- the innocent or not guilty/proven get no reimbursement in a criminal action. If lucky they can try the lottery of a civil action, but that also entails additional costs.
I do believe that the Brits (and most of their Commonwealth partners) have it right -- No report or publicity allowed by any Media except after Arraignment in a court; and no report or publicity until the conclusion of the trial and a Verdict is pronounced. You do have the right to know what's going on -- go sit in the court in your locality. You don't have a right to promulgate unfounded accusations far and wide to the detriment of either the prosecution or the defense or the possible tainting of the jury pool. I really believe that the OJ case would have had a far different outcome had Gil Garcetti not been able to game the system; likewise the Duke Hockey Team saga would also have been better for all if Nifong was muzzled from the start.
I have no reason to think Mr. McLaren is anything but an honorable man. I thank him for his service to our country.
But I respectfully ask him: please consider how you're helping destroy the lives of fellow Marines.
I will never have an open mind about that.
On this we agree. Also this 'movie' should not be released until after the conclusion of these cases. I don't think they will go much differently either way, as I still have more respect for the UCMJ system than the civilian counterpart -- but the future attitudes regardless of outcome will definitely be colored by the perceptions created thereby.
Marine Ping!
I’m with you on all points.
I’d favor an immediate adoption of the British system. Unfortunately, men like John Adams was hooted down as a “monarchist” when he suggested America could adopt British practices. Unfortunately, too, the First Ammendment has been perverted by activist judges over the past fifty years so that it no longer only limits federal power.
I also agree about the UCMJ. I had the pleasure of speaking with Darryl Sharratt (father of LCpl. Justin Sharratt) who is EXTREMELY impressed with the IO and the whole way his son’s case is being handled in the hearing.