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DNA frees man who spent almost 23 years in prison for rape
The Associated Press ^ | April 16, 2008 | Jeff Carlton

Posted on 04/16/2008 7:28:06 PM PDT by Strategerist

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To: Strategerist

I think there should always be two or three witnesses, not just one. That’s what the Bible says. Just one witness is too likely to be mistaken or deliberately lying.

I’d consider physical evidence as a witness. For instance, if this guy was caught pawning her stuff or if his DNA was on her couch or whatever.


81 posted on 04/16/2008 8:27:06 PM PDT by Marie2 (I used to be disgusted. . .now I try to be amused.)
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To: cherry
100 animals on the street causing havoc is in reality a much worse outcome for society than 1 innocent man in jail...

I can deal easier in a free society with 100 animals, if I'm allowed to carry, than I can over a single innocent man jailed. I prefer our original constitution.

/johnny

82 posted on 04/16/2008 8:27:18 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Bless us all, each, and every one.)
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To: Strategerist

This man should receive a public apology and he should be $$$$ compensated as well. I wish him luck and according to what was said...he is a forgiving soul. I hope he walks out into the sunshine and blue skies and starts a new life for himself and for his family. God bless him. He has suffered enough.


83 posted on 04/16/2008 8:28:36 PM PDT by cubreporter
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To: Jonah Johansen
The original requirement was for the state to make it's case, and if there was cause for doubt, to acquit.

Innocent until PROVEN guilty. Not the other way 'round.

/johnny

84 posted on 04/16/2008 8:30:31 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Bless us all, each, and every one.)
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To: Strategerist

People who make mistakes are still liable. To say it was a mistake doesn’t mean there can’t be consequences for making the mistake. You’re an accountant and you make an honest bookkeeping mistake that loses a million dollars, you still get investigated and maybe lose your job.

People get taken to court for making mistakes all the time. It may be accidental or unintentional, but they are still responsible.


85 posted on 04/16/2008 8:30:42 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: tear gas

SO when can we come by and lock you up for 25 years for thinking bad things you haven’t been caught and punished for yet.

Address I can send to police to?


86 posted on 04/16/2008 8:31:50 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: Strategerist
Along those lines, I hope the cops have now sent the DNA sample to be compared against the millions that are now in the system. The person who did commit the crime has more than likely committed the same type of crime again.
87 posted on 04/16/2008 8:32:40 PM PDT by My hearts in London - Everett (I'd rather be single than wish I was.)
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To: tear gas

Also, by your logic, the woman who wrongly ID’d him isn’t “innocent” either. Now maybe we jail her for awhile to balance the scales.


88 posted on 04/16/2008 8:32:50 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: Strategerist
You know there are people on FR that believe being a criminal defense attorney is fundamentally immmoral....

As someone in the legal profession, I always say that everyone hates lawyers until they need one. We're almost guilty till proven innocent in this country.

I am very pro-defense. I think many of these defense haters would start changing their minds with a little education. The Duke lacrosse team case work a lot of people up. There's more Mike Nifongs out there than people think. The good news for the Duke lacrosse team is that they had money and could hire some very good lawyers. Many people can't.

Everyone's entitled to a fair trial. If someone really is guilty, nail him, but not every defendant is guilty.

89 posted on 04/16/2008 8:34:08 PM PDT by Darren McCarty (Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in - Michael Corleone)
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To: Secret Agent Man
It's people like you that actually make me think, dog-rat-it.

I've been working on a poli-sci/sci-fiction book, and you just punched some holes in the notional constitution.

/johnny

90 posted on 04/16/2008 8:34:26 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Bless us all, each, and every one.)
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To: SatinDoll

I am sorry for what you had to go through (I sure hope the guys who did that to you paid for it), but I am even happier for you that it didn’t distort your sense of justice. Or that it manifested itself in you that you took the attitude ‘all men are like this’ or some equivalent.


91 posted on 04/16/2008 8:37:40 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: tear gas
Thank you for channeling Voltaire. /sarc>

Would you like to be the next example? It doesn't matter, right?

Cheers!

92 posted on 04/16/2008 8:39:04 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: RebekahT
I don’t think we have been presented with any facts to suggest that the police and/or prosecutors intentionally charged a man they knew to be innocent. It sounds like an extremely tragic mistake.

I don't know what it sounds like. However, statistically, this area was said to have the highest amount of cases disproved by DNA in the nation. If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck...

93 posted on 04/16/2008 8:40:34 PM PDT by Nachum
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To: JRandomFreeper

Wow! What did I say that tripped a switch? Send me a private email if you don’t want to talk in the open about your ongoing book.


94 posted on 04/16/2008 8:40:51 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (I'd like to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.)
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To: tear gas
Maybe he just wasn't punished for the right wrong, but it still might be right that he was punished. At least it wasn't wrong in that sense.

So if you get zotted, it's OK because you've committed thought crimes anyway?

Cheers!

95 posted on 04/16/2008 8:42:07 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: MrB
Those 100 guilty go free to harm how many future victims? What did their victims do to deserve this?

Do you want to be "that one?"

Those that are guilty and go free do so because either:
1. The prosecution couldn't prove its case.
2. Law enforcement didn't do their jobs properly
3. Biased jury

1 and 2 are preventable by the government properly following procedures and doing their homework and respecting the rights of the populace. The third is the price we sometimes pay in a free society.

96 posted on 04/16/2008 8:42:21 PM PDT by Darren McCarty (Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in - Michael Corleone)
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To: ConservativeMind

I give $$$ to these guys. I encourage you folks to give a little bit .

Our government should assist in the interests of justice.

That poor fellow; what a travesty.


97 posted on 04/16/2008 8:42:57 PM PDT by Finalapproach29er (Dems will impeach Bush in 2008, they have nothing else. Mark my words.)
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To: tear gas

Yes, there is such a thing as an innocent man. We all are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

I’ll have to say that you’ll fit right in as the country becomes a police state.


98 posted on 04/16/2008 8:43:19 PM PDT by Diverdogz
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To: Darren McCarty
We're almost guilty till proven innocent

Almost? Any slight by any figure in any fashion has now become a money machine lawyers to fleece the public. Need a new Escalade...sue for it. We LOATHE these parasites. Sorry if you are one, but if you are, we think you deserve to be urinated on publicly. I understand there are good lawyers defending people...but they are few and far between. If you are, I thank you. Also, if you are, go club a nearby ambulance chaser...we need the help.

99 posted on 04/16/2008 8:44:41 PM PDT by Malsua
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To: ConservativeMind

It sure was easier for Nifong back in ‘85 before all that damn CSI DNA crap ruined everything.


100 posted on 04/16/2008 8:46:09 PM PDT by RC51
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