God I hate the justice system - Page 3

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-03-2007, 09:02 PM

Amazing how a racist or two can get on a jury with the intention of forcing a mistrial.

The few of you who live in/around STL probably know the story of Sgt. Bill McEntee, shot and murdered in July of 2005. The trial ended today in a mistrial. Now the families have to wait another 6-8 months to get some closure.

McEntee's killer, Kevin "Rockhead" Johnson, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Then, on Saturday, after the prosecution rested, he surprisingly took the stand, and admitted he did it, but was in a "trance" when he did it. The defense would like to claim that this saved his live, showing the possibility that he did not "deliberate" or "premeditate" the murder, meaning he should be convicted of Murder 2 as opposed to Murder 1, which was how he was charged. (the prosecuting attorney was seeking the death penalty, and will again in the retrial) My opinion is that there was a juror or two that had thier minds set on mistrial from the get-go.

You can go to stltoday.com to learn more about the case, but in a nutshell: (sorry, kinda long)

Rockhead's little brother, Bam-Bam, dies from a heart condition. Rockhead feels the 1st responders didn't do enough to save Bam-bam's life. Several hours later, (plenty of time to "deliberate") Rockhead goes out to his truck, grabs a 9mm, makes sure a round is in the chamber, and tells a group of friends that he's "gonna kill the next cop he sees."

Sgt. McEntee enters the neigborhood just after that on a fireworks call. Rockhead walks up the street where McEntee is speaking to some kids, reaches into the passenger window, and shoots McEntee 6 times. Amazingly, McEntee manages to put the cruiser in drive, and makes it about a block before he wrecks into a tree. After taking a shot in the face, and several in the shoulder/chest, McEntee struggles to get out of the cruiser, and is on all fours in the street. Rockhead runs up the street, steps behind McEntee, and fires three more rounds into the back of the officer's head.

If that isn't a textbook case of Murder in the first degree, I don't know what is. It baffles me that you or I could manage to get onto a high profile jury and purposely force a mistrial. (I have no proof this happened, but I'm fully expecting to hear/see a juror come forward to the media to vent their frustrations. I do know, however that the jury deliberated the case for 12 hours, and that they didn't even speak about the case for the last 3. Two jurors had their minds made up and weren't budging.)

There's a lot more to this, but I can get to that later. Just needed some time to vent. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, and I'd really like to hear your thoughts.

**Baby Lee** · 04-04-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

Legal Intern. I'm in my 2nd year of law school.

WashU?
SLU?

stlchiefs · 04-04-2007, 01:18 PM

SLU, why are you offering me a job for the summer?

**Baby Lee** · 04-04-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

SLU, why are you offering me a job for the summer?

I'm a peon. The only job I could offer is helping me put in my retaining wall, if I get around to it.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-04-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

I'm guessing that since you posted it kind of late, many people didn't see it. IMO, our justice system is good, but definitely needs some work. I don't know enough about this case to comment. If what you're saying is true, then I would agree that this is a travesty.

I agree, I just needed to vent last night.

I woke up this morning still pissed, but much more at ease about it.

I'd much rather see a mistrial than to see a jury convict him of Murder 2 and have him back on the streets at some point.

The new trial has been set for October 31. Start from scratch, use his confession, and ship his sorry ass to prison for life, no parole.

My guess is the prosecution will be VERY careful during voir dire this time around.

vailpass · 04-04-2007, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

My guess is the prosecution will be VERY careful during voir dire this time around.

"Can you dance?"
"Hell yes."
"Recused."

**HemiEd** · 04-04-2007, 05:56 PM

So why in the **** has a mod not moved this thread to DC like you did Nzoners flag thread?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-04-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

So why in the **** has a mod not moved this thread to DC like you did Nzoners flag thread?

I fully expected it to be, but then again, it hasn't gotten nearly the response I thought it would either.

Hasn't exactly gotten controversial at any point......

Mecca · 04-04-2007, 06:10 PM

How about the times you hear about the supression of evidence that could lead to the acquital of someone?

Or when new evidence comes to light the refusal to reopen cases, or grant new trials?

I think the reason some innocent people end up in prison is once they think they have thier guy it's case closed and he did it end of story.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-04-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

How about the times you hear about the supression of evidence that could lead to the acquital of someone?

Or when new evidence comes to light the refusal to reopen cases, or grant new trials?

I think the reason some innocent people end up in prison is once they think they have thier guy it's case closed and he did it end of story.

Agreed, but that isn't the case here.

The Defendant took the stand and admitted he did it, but said he was in a "trance" when he did. Trying to BS his way to a Murder 2 charge, and it almost worked.

Mecca · 04-04-2007, 06:16 PM

it goes both ways obviously.

ClevelandBronco · 04-04-2007, 06:29 PM

I prefer to think of it as the legal system. Trying to think of it as a justice system is just too depressing sometimes.

DenverChief · 04-04-2007, 08:14 PM

"Bloodsworth" if you like those kinds of books

Also I'd love to have 2 minutes with "rockhead"

04-03-2007, 09:02 PM
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4931115	God I hate the justice system Amazing how a racist or two can get on a jury with the intention of forcing a mistrial. The few of you who live in/around STL probably know the story of Sgt. Bill McEntee, shot and murdered in July of 2005. The trial ended today in a mistrial. Now the families have to wait another 6-8 months to get some closure. McEntee's killer, Kevin "Rockhead" Johnson, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Then, on Saturday, after the prosecution rested, he surprisingly took the stand, and admitted he did it, but was in a "trance" when he did it. The defense would like to claim that this saved his live, showing the possibility that he did not "deliberate" or "premeditate" the murder, meaning he should be convicted of Murder 2 as opposed to Murder 1, which was how he was charged. (the prosecuting attorney was seeking the death penalty, and will again in the retrial) My opinion is that there was a juror or two that had thier minds set on mistrial from the get-go. You can go to stltoday.com to learn more about the case, but in a nutshell: (sorry, kinda long) Rockhead's little brother, Bam-Bam, dies from a heart condition. Rockhead feels the 1st responders didn't do enough to save Bam-bam's life. Several hours later, (plenty of time to "deliberate") Rockhead goes out to his truck, grabs a 9mm, makes sure a round is in the chamber, and tells a group of friends that he's "gonna kill the next cop he sees." Sgt. McEntee enters the neigborhood just after that on a fireworks call. Rockhead walks up the street where McEntee is speaking to some kids, reaches into the passenger window, and shoots McEntee 6 times. Amazingly, McEntee manages to put the cruiser in drive, and makes it about a block before he wrecks into a tree. After taking a shot in the face, and several in the shoulder/chest, McEntee struggles to get out of the cruiser, and is on all fours in the street. Rockhead runs up the street, steps behind McEntee, and fires three more rounds into the back of the officer's head. If that isn't a textbook case of Murder in the first degree, I don't know what is. It baffles me that you or I could manage to get onto a high profile jury and purposely force a mistrial. (I have no proof this happened, but I'm fully expecting to hear/see a juror come forward to the media to vent their frustrations. I do know, however that the jury deliberated the case for 12 hours, and that they didn't even speak about the case for the last 3. Two jurors had their minds made up and weren't budging.) There's a lot more to this, but I can get to that later. Just needed some time to vent. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, and I'd really like to hear your thoughts.
Posts: 60,166

04-04-2007, 01:18 PM	#32
stlchiefs Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St. Loser, MO Casino cash: $10005674	SLU, why are you offering me a job for the summer?
Posts: 4,160

04-04-2007, 05:56 PM	#36
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $3330564	So why in the **** has a mod not moved this thread to DC like you did Nzoners flag thread?
Posts: 33,407

04-04-2007, 06:10 PM	#38
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2667050	How about the times you hear about the supression of evidence that could lead to the acquital of someone? Or when new evidence comes to light the refusal to reopen cases, or grant new trials? I think the reason some innocent people end up in prison is once they think they have thier guy it's case closed and he did it end of story.
Posts: 110,765

04-04-2007, 06:16 PM	#40
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2667050	it goes both ways obviously.
Posts: 110,765

04-04-2007, 06:29 PM	#41
ClevelandBronco I'm with the banned. Join Date: Sep 2006 Casino cash: $5658955	I prefer to think of it as the legal system. Trying to think of it as a justice system is just too depressing sometimes.
Posts: 28,113

04-04-2007, 08:14 PM	#42
DenverChief MVP Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Rocky Ford Casino cash: $5999867	"Bloodsworth" if you like those kinds of books Also I'd love to have 2 minutes with "rockhead"
Posts: 16,123