"It doesn't take a corrupt system to ruin lives. How many plead out because they cannot afford to fight?"
In NC a person who can't make bail remains in jail for many months. When he finally sees the public defender he is told that if he cops a plea to a lesser offense he'll be let off with time served. If the accused maintains his innocence, and doesn't want to admit to any crime, he is warned of the possibility of being found guilty at trial and facing prison time. That's the way it's done. [Not just in NC]
In NC a person who can't make bail remains in jail for many months. When he finally sees the public defender he is told that if he cops a plea to a lesser offense he'll be let off with time served. If the accused maintains his innocence, and doesn't want to admit to any crime, he is warned of the possibility of being found guilty at trial and facing prison time. That's the way it's done. [Not just in NC]
Nifong's big f-up was in thinking these young men would do the same thing. You don't try to ruin the name of a decent family.