07-02-2015, 06:01 PM
The jury didn't exactly "declare his innocence." A not guilty verdict means that the government didn't prove their case. That is a far more serious criticism in a case where the government has spent vast amount of time and sums of money "marshaling their evidence." Prosecutors, local or federal, are supposed "to seek justice and not conviction."
However, some cases just have to be tried. There is a societal benefit to the public exercise of the right to trial that supersedes the individual result. Not least of which is the benefit of subsequent observers being able to view the records and testimony long after the dust has settled.
The fact that the jury couldn't reach a verdict on some of the charges meant that some jurors were convinced that the government proved their case with respect to those charges, and others disagreed. So you really can't call that "innocence", even if the accused doesn't get punished.
However, some cases just have to be tried. There is a societal benefit to the public exercise of the right to trial that supersedes the individual result. Not least of which is the benefit of subsequent observers being able to view the records and testimony long after the dust has settled.
The fact that the jury couldn't reach a verdict on some of the charges meant that some jurors were convinced that the government proved their case with respect to those charges, and others disagreed. So you really can't call that "innocence", even if the accused doesn't get punished.
"All that is necessary for tyranny to succeed is for good men to do nothing." (unknown)
James Tracy: "There is sometimes an undue amount of paranoia among some conspiracy researchers that can contribute to flawed observations and analysis."
Gary Cornwell (Dept. Chief Counsel HSCA): "A fact merely marks the point at which we have agreed to let investigation cease."
Alan Ford: "Just because you believe it, that doesn't make it so."
James Tracy: "There is sometimes an undue amount of paranoia among some conspiracy researchers that can contribute to flawed observations and analysis."
Gary Cornwell (Dept. Chief Counsel HSCA): "A fact merely marks the point at which we have agreed to let investigation cease."
Alan Ford: "Just because you believe it, that doesn't make it so."