August 6, 2007

Kentucky

Our rush to judgment

The Ledger Independent, Editorial

We are a nation of laws. Those laws provide for the burden of proof to be
placed upon the government, that even after we have been charged, arrested
and accused, there is no foregone conclusion that we are guilty. It is just
one of the things that sets us apart from other nations.

But there is a troubling trend afoot that indicates much of the public is
ready to assume guilt long before it is proven and even indications that
some believe we shouldn't even take the time to prove, beyond a reasonable
doubt, that someone is guilty before handing down punishment.

Two cases -- one local and another national -- have brought those issues
into the spotlight recently.

Locally, the case involves Amy Baker, accused of taking part in the disposal
of the body of a foster child after he was murdered by his foster parents.
The popular consensus is that Baker is guilty and should be punished
severely for her part in the incident. And there are even those who question
her right to a fair trial, despite our constitutional guarantee for our day
in court.

The national case, of course, involves NFL player Michael Vick and
allegations that he not only was involved but bankrolled a dog-fighting ring
that used and abused innocent animals in the blood sport. A co-conspirator
has rolled over on Vick, making his innocence even more questionable.

Since both of these cases involve issues that are equally despicable to many
of us -- child abuse and animal abuse -- the emotional reaction is
exaggerated and our inclination to allow unbiased justice is severely
compromised. Even so, we would do well to remind ourselves that there are
some innocent people in jail and even on death row. A rush to judgment
benefits no one. If we learned nothing else from the case involving Duke
rugby players, we surely learned that.

While both Vick and Baker may both very well be as guilty as sin, as a
people we should still do our best to ensure that they are given the benefit
of the doubt until their guilt or innocence is proven in court. Let Baker
and Vick be tried in a court of law, not the court of public opinion

As heinous as the crimes they are accused of may be, denying either of them
due process should be equally heinous to all Americans.

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Source : The Ledger Independent, Editorial

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