A jury has been selected in the Derek Chauvin trial, the former police officer who snuffed out the life of George Floyd with his knee held on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Twelve members of the jury will decide Chauvin’s fate. Three alternates were chosen in the event that any of the twelve jurors might be excused during the trial. The jurors consist of three Black men, one Black woman, two mixed-race women and nine white jurors. It is unclear which jurors represent the initial twelve members of the jury who must weigh the evidence and decide if Chauvin committed second degree murder, third degree murder or manslaughter. The prosecution failed to charge Chauvin with first degree murder. As a former prosecutor, I have tried cases with far less evidence and received convictions of first -degree murder. Of course, my convictions were not against police officers who are rarely charged or convicted of murder or manslaughter. From 2005 to 2020, only five officers were … [Read more...] about Derek Chauvin Defense versus Justice for George Floyd
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Cosby Prosecutor Gave False High Hopes to Victims
In the aftermath of the Bill Cosby mistrial, many have been left wondering why the jury could not convict Cosby. After all, Cosby is alleged to have committed 60 sexual assaults on women. Having prosecuted sexual assault cases, despite what some have said was an easy case, nothing is farther away from the truth. No sexual assault case is ever easy to win. Sexual assault cases are some of the most difficult cases to obtain a conviction. And they are also some of the most heart wrenching cases. Due to the psychological issues which surround the victims, numerous issues abound such as inconsistent testimony, long waiting periods in which to bring charges, difficulty remembering and often forgetting details and a host of other issues. My sixteen year old self understands why a sexual assault victim would wait years before coming forward to tell people or to report a crime; my prosecutorial self knows the delays in those cases often make for acquittals or hung juries. The … [Read more...] about Cosby Prosecutor Gave False High Hopes to Victims
Bill Cosby Goes to Trial and Just Might Win
Jury selections started on Monday, May 22 in the criminal case of Bill Cosby. Cosby is charged with aggravated indecent sexual assault in the case of alleged victim Andrea Constand. Constand alleges that in either January or February of 2004 that Cosby drugged her and then sexually assaulted her. The State’s Attorney filed charges within days before the statute of limitations tolled or ended any possible charges being filed. Since then, Cosby has become a pariah with most persons including his former celebrity friends shunning him and judging him guilty of Constand’s assault and those of 60 other alleged victims. On June 5, 2017, Cosby will only face the charges of Constand. The other alleged victims’ cases statute of limitations expired. So those women mostly place their hopes in Constand that justice will be served in her case—thus vindicating the others who can’t press charges. Constand’s case is far from a slam dunk. In reality, it faces many uphill climbs … [Read more...] about Bill Cosby Goes to Trial and Just Might Win
Why Walter Scott’s Killer May be Re-Tried–Even if Found Guilty
Debbie Hines on MSNBC explains the Michael Slager trial and the implications of the lone juror holdout. Former Charleston, SC police officer Michael Slager, who is on trial for the murder of Walter Scott, after firing 5 shots into Scott’s back, while fleeing from the officer, may get an early Christmas present—his freedom. As of Friday, a jury of 11 white persons and one lone black juror failed to reach an unanimous verdict. Eleven of the jurors support a conviction of either first degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. One lone hold-out states in a letter given to the judge that he or she is unable to come to a guilty verdict and won’t come to a verdict (paraphrased). Judge Newman did not order a mistrial on Friday, December 2. Instead, Judge Newman instructed the jury to go home over the weekend and continue deliberations on Monday, December 5. Michael Slager may have already won his freedom and the right to a new trial with the help of the one lone … [Read more...] about Why Walter Scott’s Killer May be Re-Tried–Even if Found Guilty
Final Score: Guilty Verdict for Aaron Hernandez
The trial of Aaron Hernandez, former New England Patriots player has reached the final score. After seven days of jury deliberations, former NFL New England Patriots Aaron Hernandez was convicted on Wednesday of first degree murder and gun charges. The verdict could mean a sentence of life without parole. And although appeals may be down the road, it brings an end to one legal battle for Hernandez. He still faces a second murder trial involving the murder of two people in 2012, set to start later this year. After over 40 days, 400 plus exhibits and 135 witnesses, the jury delivered its verdict of guilty on all charges in the circumstantial murder case. The murder case against Hernandez was an entirely circumstantial one. There was no gun found and no eyewitnesses. The prosecution alleged that Hernandez, once worth $40 million for playing with the New England Patriots, drove the victim, Lloyd, to an area and shot him six times. Prosecutors contended that evidence left at … [Read more...] about Final Score: Guilty Verdict for Aaron Hernandez
Aaron Hernandez Trial: Awaiting Final Score
The trial of Aaron Hernandez, former New England Patriots player has reached the time for the final score. The jury is deliberating for four days. The twelve jurors who are deciding his fate have requested the 400 plus exhibits and asked 6 questions since their deliberations began. Hernandez is on trial for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd, a friend or acquaintance and weapons charges. After over 40 days, 400 plus exhibits and 135 witnesses, the mostly circumstantial murder case is finally in the hands of the jury to deliver a verdict. The murder case against Hernandez is an entirely circumstantial one. The prosecution alleges that Hernandez, once worth $40 million for playing with the Patriots, drove the victim, Lloyd, to a an area and shot him six times. Prosecutors contend that evidence left at the scene such as Hernandez’s DNA left on a marijuana butt and .45 caliber shell casings found at the crime scene support their theory. The casings found at the scene and found in … [Read more...] about Aaron Hernandez Trial: Awaiting Final Score