Prosecutors: Egos Over Justice?

Dr. Cheese · #1 11-17-2011, 06:16 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us...ted=1&src=recg

This is an example of a DA simply not wanting to admit they made a mistake even if it means incarcerating an innocent man, and allowing dangerous criminals to go free.

PSPookie · #2 11-17-2011, 06:27 AM

Where do you start with that one? Interrogation techniques, evidence collection, overzealous prosecutors ... jeez.

Way to go cops, you got a "confession" out of 4 scared minority teenagers. That must have been tricky

Handyman · #3 11-17-2011, 06:34 AM

That's a very disturbing article. Whether the state attorney is refusing to act out of ego or self deception, the behavior is quite appalling.

Mr Swift's story of making up a confession after many hours of interrogation is sadly familiar. It highlights the importance of saying "I want a lawyer" when in such a situation. There's no way a lawyer would have let the interview go on the way it did.

Jonyak · #4 11-17-2011, 06:48 AM

The justice system is very broken nowadays it seems.

MatticusMania · #5 11-17-2011, 12:31 PM

Ego often keeps the truth at bay.

PSPookie · #6 11-17-2011, 12:33 PM

^
^
True, but Eggo s are a quick and delicious means of getting butter and syrup into my mouth.

C.Linton · #7 11-17-2011, 12:52 PM

Unfortunately, this kind of thing is not entirely uncommon.

Root 5 · #8 11-17-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

[url]This is an example of a DA simply not wanting to admit they made a mistake even if it means incarcerating an innocent man, and allowing dangerous criminals to go free.

I think this is quite predictable. Lawyers are high achievers, they're ambitious, and typically Type A personalities. In other words - they don't like to lose. I wouldn't doubt a good percentage of them care more about the wins than the justice.

Root 5 · #9 11-17-2011, 03:15 PM

^^^^ Another interesting fact about incarcerated people is: In order to get cleared of a criminal conviction, the burden of proof must be much higher than the evidence needed to convict! It's insane!

P. Aaron · #10 11-17-2011, 03:34 PM

Duke Lacrosse Players

Dr. Cheese · #11 11-17-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. Aaron

Duke Lacrosse Players

They actually had it pretty good compared to the guys in my link because their charges were dropped before the trial. You can argue that should not have been arrested, but none of them has a record now.

Stinsok · #12 11-17-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P. Aaron

Duke Lacrosse Players

Beat me to it.

Dr. Cheese · #13 11-17-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Beat me to it.

Why are you guys bringing up the Duke story? Are you saying it could happen to white guys too? If that is the case, fine, but color is not what I am concerned about. I am concerned about people being denied a clean record when the evidence of their innocence is clear. That concerns me no matter the color of the person in question.

As I said before, the Duke issue different because it stopped long before a false conviction.

hbarcat · #14 11-17-2011, 06:31 PM

For most prosecutors, the presence of post-conviction DNA evidence is enough to prompt action. An examination of 194 DNA exonerations found that 88 percent of the prosecutors joined defense lawyers in moving to vacate the convictions. But in 12 percent of the cases, the prosecutors opposed the motions, and in 4 percent, they did so even after a DNA match to another suspect.

Sounds to me like what one would expect from humanity in general. Nine out of ten people are decent human beings who want to do the right thing and one out of ten is an *******.

P. Aaron · #15 11-19-2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

They actually had it pretty good compared to the guys in my link because their charges were dropped before the trial. You can argue that should not have been arrested, but none of them has a record now.

Recall nearly the entirety of the Duke faculty signed on to a letter condeming them as well that has to this day(!), not been rescinded.

Not only was Nifong discredited but, these 'acedemics' have a huge issue with reality.

So it's not just the technical side but, certain segments of society, credentialed but obviously having difficulty dealing with facts, refusing to let go. I think average Joe's can do this.

Stinsok · #16 11-19-2011, 07:59 AM

I mentioned the Duke thing not because of race. The thread title is Egos over Justice. The prosecutor in this case was so full of himself it didn't matter about justice.

Dr. Cheese · #17 11-19-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

I mentioned the Duke thing not because of race. The thread title is Egos over Justice. The prosecutor in this case was so full of himself it didn't matter about justice.

That is true. I do think that Nifong also was looking to pander to the black vote. I say this as a black person who is concerned about the historical abuse of black women, but who also believes in justice. I do not want to see anyone railroaded.