First, I do not represent the folks of Phoenix.
But lets look at the root cause of the problem, the failure of the law enforcement community to police itself. Hundreds of examples can be cited through out history in almost every city in the US, Chicago, Boston, New York, LA, etc. And yes, I'm sure there are honest, reputable officers in every city, but how does one know who to trust? The law enforcement community has established a record for manufacturing evidence, lying under oath, and doing anything to "win" a case, and "win" is the opportune word here.
Law Enforcement and the legal system should not be concerned with the "win", but should be after "justice" and finding the "truth". But, our political and judicial systems are less interested in the "truth" than they are in the "game" and the "win". If it wasn't for the media, most all of the examples cited would never have come to light. Thank heavens for the fourth and fifth estate. It's sad, but they are the real hero here, they seem to be the only ones interested in the "truth".
Lets also delve a little bit into the legal industry, our crack establishment of lawyers. These are individuals who charge a fortune to adequately(?) represent their clients. Like the law enforcement community, I'm sure there are some good lawyers, but how does one locate a good lawyer when one needs legal console? This is another industry that fails to police itself, just about the only way a lawyer can be disbarred is to be convicted of a crime. Given a complaint before the bar, the bar will believe a lawyer in a preponderance of complaints.
And when actually caught lying under oath or fabricating evidence, what penalties does a police officer face before our legal system? Well, Mark Ferman was allowed to retire with full pension. Boy, we really smacked his wrist. Why is he not in jail? If I lied under oath, I'm sure some prosecutor would go after me with both barrels, but a police officer, retire with full pension. Some justice. Our political, legal and law enforcement communities should be proud of the justice handed out in the OJ case. I'm sure that justice that was handed out has Nicole Simpson resting more comfortably.
And to answer your question, no I would not take solace if an acquittal was returned in a case involving someone I loved, neither would I take solace in a convicted. How could one take any comfort with a transgressions committed against a loved one? The only ones taking solace in any legal proceeding is the legal industry, an industrial game of "wins" and "loses".
-- Modified on 11/10/2005 9:20:34 AM
Wow, amazing. A simple tale of dodging jury duty turns into a diatribe against cops, lawyers, the justice system and capitalism.
What you still haven't figured out is that your answer was exactly what the prosecutor wanted: You got yourself removed for cause without having to waste a challenge. I can assure you that the defense attorney was upset in seeing a person that might have favored his client removed from the panel. That's the true tragedy.
It's just as well, I guess. Since you have so thoroughly rejected the judicial system (as if Mark Furman had anything to do with OJ's guilt or innocence, as opposed to a superior skilled defense attorney), perhaps the next time you find yourself in a conflict situation, instead of courtrooms, you can resolve the dispute with baseball bats or swords at dawn, like the good old days.
I suppose it was a "superior skilled defense attorney" who kept President Clinton out of jail when he lied to the grand jury. Maybe Liddy should get Clinton's "superior skilled defense attorney". BTW, what was Clinton's punishment as a lawyer and President of the United States? Think he's still getting paid even though he was impeached and tarnished the office of the President. So the moral of the story is if you lie under oath and you're a employee of the government, you'll still get your pension.
What a country.
One can only believe what is presented. Our media has evolved or devolved depending on your point of view to seek out and report on the negative aspects of an issue. So when a story goes to air or print that is all we tend hear. This problem is only compounded given the 24hr new cycle. I’m not naïve and understand that business is business and in the news this is the market. But it colors our perspective and has little to do with the reality and reliability of our systems. We don’t hear about all the things or instances that do work, only those individuals and circumstances where it didn’t. Untold and unheard the good in our systems isn’t perceived and never reaches our collective reality. So we as individuals are called to make judgment and with us goes our tainted reality. In the day to day as we move about in our normal world collecting the information given to us, it is best to remember that it isn’t real.
