alnorth
07-23-2012, 11:33 PM
Sometimes, I'm wondering if people are listening to their defense attorney too often.
Jury convicts OSU basketball player of rape (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57478371/jury-convicts-osu-basketball-player-of-rape/)
Darrell Williams broke down in tears as the verdicts were read, saying "Oh my Jesus God" as he bent over and banged his hands on the defense table. He then turned to the jury and yelled, "I didn't do it." Others in the packed courtroom, including his teammates and coach, left without commenting, and an inconsolable female relative was helped out as Williams was taken away by sheriff's deputies.
Well that's just great, dude. Lotta good that outburst does now.
No physical evidence, no witnesses other than the alleged victims. The prosecution's case was based pretty much only on the credibility of the accusers, a classic he said she said. The case was also shaky enough that he was acquitted on a couple of the charges so its not like it was a slam-dunk "oh yeah, he's guilty" kind of case, but the girl testified, and on the advice of his attorney, he didn't and relied on his lawyer telling the jury there's no evidence and asking them not to believe her. Well, I don't know if the defense was scared about something the prosecutor would say on cross-exam, but sometimes you get a jury that stubbornly wants to see the man defend himself and if he doesn't, they think he may have something to hide.
This isn't really about Darrell Williams, I don't really care about him. He could be guilty for all I know, and there's lots of cases like this but he only makes the news because he's a good ball player. How many of those "48 hours" mystery shows have you seen where a juror interviewed after the trial, time after time, said that even though the case wasn't strong they were bothered that the defendant refused to defend himself? Why do all these defendants, at least a few of whom are probably innocent, always listen to their lawyers and don't say a word in their own defense?
Jury convicts OSU basketball player of rape (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57478371/jury-convicts-osu-basketball-player-of-rape/)
Darrell Williams broke down in tears as the verdicts were read, saying "Oh my Jesus God" as he bent over and banged his hands on the defense table. He then turned to the jury and yelled, "I didn't do it." Others in the packed courtroom, including his teammates and coach, left without commenting, and an inconsolable female relative was helped out as Williams was taken away by sheriff's deputies.
Well that's just great, dude. Lotta good that outburst does now.
No physical evidence, no witnesses other than the alleged victims. The prosecution's case was based pretty much only on the credibility of the accusers, a classic he said she said. The case was also shaky enough that he was acquitted on a couple of the charges so its not like it was a slam-dunk "oh yeah, he's guilty" kind of case, but the girl testified, and on the advice of his attorney, he didn't and relied on his lawyer telling the jury there's no evidence and asking them not to believe her. Well, I don't know if the defense was scared about something the prosecutor would say on cross-exam, but sometimes you get a jury that stubbornly wants to see the man defend himself and if he doesn't, they think he may have something to hide.
This isn't really about Darrell Williams, I don't really care about him. He could be guilty for all I know, and there's lots of cases like this but he only makes the news because he's a good ball player. How many of those "48 hours" mystery shows have you seen where a juror interviewed after the trial, time after time, said that even though the case wasn't strong they were bothered that the defendant refused to defend himself? Why do all these defendants, at least a few of whom are probably innocent, always listen to their lawyers and don't say a word in their own defense?