[I Buried My Guns]

"...If you're arguing for jury nullification, you're no different than the idiotic racists who acquitted OJ Simpson...."

Actually, Lear is completely different, in that the OJ trial was nullified by ignorant racists who supported their co-ethnic irrespective of compelling facts, whereas this nullification would be motivated by deeply held, Biblical-based values that have been in effect for over a thousand years.

So yeah, I think it's a tad different.

[OldDeckHand]

"whereas this nullification would be motivated by deeply held, Biblical-based values that have been in effect for over a thousand years."

Ah. I see. So long as someone bases their murder on deeply held Biblical value, then it's just fine with you. That's an interesting, if also incredibly disturbing view of American justice.

[LearsFool]

No offense, but I'd argue that jury nullification is rooted in not only the right of self-government, but the very fact of it.

We create our society, our communities. Though he may subjugate us, no tyrant is powerful enough to overrule us in this regard. Look at any community, and you'll see what sort of community the people living there want.

So long as trial by jury is permitted, jury nullification is merely one way we determine what will and will not be allowed in our community. And it's one I consider perfectly legitimate, irrespective of whether justice is served. For, not every community even desires justice (though they'll certainly get their own just deserts as a consequence, as we see continually.)