Twins' Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett Found Not Guilty

Minneapolis Red Star ^ | April 3, 2003 | Jay Weiner

[GreatOne]

Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett was found not guilty of all charges against him today in Hennepin County District Court.

Jurors in the trial of former Twins star Kirby Puckett announced about 3 p.m. that they had reached a verdict, and the verdict was read about 4 p.m.

[GreatOne]

He wouldn't have been found guilty even if it was on videotape AND he confessed.

Prosecutors knew he wouldn't be convicted, but they can't not go forward because of his celebrity. Puckett's rep has been (deservingly) taken a huge hit over the past year. So sad - another man with celebrity who can't keep his zipper up, and throws it all away.

[ambrose]

Were there any witnesses to the alleged crime, or was it just he said vs she said?

[WaveThatFlag]

Wonder if Puckett will vow to spend the rest of his days tacking down the real perps. This POS is in the Hall and Donnie Baseball isn't?

[Blackyce]

Attitudes like yours are one of the reason our justice system is so corrupt. After nothing but an accusation there is nothing the accused can do to make people like you think he is innocent. THAT is what is truly sad. If some random girl I had a relationship with accused me of rape or assault, that alone, with no witnesses or substantial evidence, would still ruin my life.

[pompelmous]

There were witnesses that testified that she had been flashing her bod with nipples exposed before this happened.
She also was in a bar so who knows what her blood count showed. Probably was as perky as the casabas.

[Illbay]

Do you think he was falsely accused? I haven't been following this but my first inclination is to believe that if he was acquitted he is probably not guilty.

"Celebrity" or not. An ex-baseballer is hardly a household word.

[Hatteras]

The ball still hit the wall before it entered his glove...

[Blackyce]

I dont have an opinion on his guilt or innocence. I just hate the attitude of public opinion that often puts the burden of proof on the accused instead of the accuser.

[GreatOne]

Attitudes like yours are one of the reason our justice system is so corrupt. After nothing but an accusation there is nothing the accused can do to make people like you think he is innocent. THAT is what is truly sad. If some random girl I had a relationship with accused me of rape or assault, that alone, with no witnesses or substantial evidence, would still ruin my life.

1) Sex crimes of any type are always the hardest to prosecute because normally there are only two people present, obviously - therefore more than just a person's word that a rape/assault/attack occurred is needed before going forward with a prosecution.

2) In this situation, there was a witness who was not connected with either party who said that they say Puckett forcibly pull the woman into the restroom; the woman had at least one bruise on her (on her breast); and the woman did not know who he (Kirby Puckett) was when she pointed him out to restaurant staff. There was more, but these are the main points.

3) As a County Attorney in the State of Minnesota, it is my personal knowledge of prosecuting sex crimes that leads me to make my statements, as well as my knowledge of the alleged facts of this case, not my personal "attitude".

4) You are an idiot.

[amused]

Attitudes like yours are one of the reason our justice system is so corrupt. After nothing but an accusation there is nothing the accused can do to make people like you think he is innocent. THAT is what is truly sad. If some random girl I had a relationship with accused me of rape or assault, that alone, with no witnesses or substantial evidence, would still ruin my life.

Ahhhh but this is the court of public opinion my friend. And according to my tally, Puckett has been accused of beating his wife, beating his mistress, and now this. Could be false for sure but Puckett is obviously not the saint he was made out to be. I understand your point though.

[Rocky Mountain High]

You are a lawyer - much worse than an idiot.

[mj1234]

It was a "she said he said" no witnesses inside the mens room-she went in "he said" because the womens room was full.

"she said" he grabbed me and pulled me into the men's room.

She had a dime size bruise on her breast.

she was "exposing herself to others in this bar ?"--
This from a defense witness.

This case is dumb, stupid, makes no sense, who cares,
let's get drunk, party,pickup chicks...ugh!!!

Puckett could have been Governor of this state(look at Ventura) it is all gone now.

[NormsRevenge]

Puckett could have been Governor of this state(look at Ventura) it is all gone now.

Draft Hrbek ;-)

[crude77]

I agree. There has got to be proof to convict. Having said that, I also believe that two of societies most important functions are the protection of women and children and we are failing them. When there is no proof-walk away. But when there is proof the punishment must be severe. IMO.

Greg

[Mark17]

I thought the great one was Wayne Gretsky?

[mj1234]

yes - and Baron Von Rashke for Lt. gov.

[thepitts]

As a County Attorney in the State of Minnesota, it is my personal knowledge of prosecuting sex crimes that leads me to make my statements,

So much for "justice" in your county, scary.

[oiljake]

whats her next step a law suite ? probaly saying he was female bashing but she would gladly settle for a couple hundred thousand last year 2 floozes in Baltimore tried that with Ray Lewis but a smart judge saw through it and threw the case out

[nonliberal]

He wouldn't have been found guilty even if it was on videotape AND he confessed.

Agreed. Kirby was my hero growing up. I quit watching baseball after he retired.

[Blackyce]

So, as a public official, you feel the need to resort to name calling to get your point across. [sarcasm]I'm sure you're completely unbiased in prosecutuing cases like these. The comments you made are typical of the garbage heard all the time from prosecuting attorneys. The fact is that when it comes to a He said-She said batlle, we have to trust the courts to sort it ouit, or there is no possibility of a fair outcome for any man accused.