AP Photo/Noah Berger
The media narrative about the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin should disturb you if you are concerned with due process. It is a criminal trial, and the jury must use the standard beyond a reasonable doubt to find Chauvin guilty of anything. This article does not advocate for either finding. Instead, it promotes the idea that Chauvin’s guilt or innocence must rely on the facts in the case and whether or not they prove the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
This idea is fundamental to our justice system, but it appears almost no talking heads in the media and none of the activist lawyers recall that principle. The narrative is beginning to sound a lot more like mob justice, with the threat of a repeat performance of last summer’s violent riots hanging in the air. In a civilized society based on due process, the City of Minneapolis and American citizens should accept this. Unfortunately, with the barricaded court building
Attorney Barb McQuade Talks About The Biden Transition Team, New Podcast, And Her Love For The Law
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‘Blame Trump’ defense in Capitol riot a long shot
Experts believe strategy will not get anyone off hook By Associated Press
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4 Photos Dustin Thompson, left, of Columbus, who is accused of being part of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, arrives with his lawyer, Sam Shamansky, to turn himself in on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at the Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. District Courthouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Joshua A. Bickel/The Columbus Dispatch via AP) (FBI) Photo Gallery
The “Trump-made-me-do-it” defense is already looking like a longshot.
Facing damning evidence in the deadly Capitol siege last month including social media posts flaunting their actions rioters are arguing in court they were following then-President Donald Trump’s instructions on Jan. 6. But the legal strategy has already been shot down by at least one judge and experts believe the argument is not likely to get anyone off the hook for the insurrection where five people d
Trump was acquitted of inciting the insurrection during his second impeachment trial, where Democrats made some of the same arguments defense attorneys are making in criminal court. Some Republican lawmakers have said the better place for the accusations against Trump is in court, too.
Meanwhile, prosecutors have brought charges against more than 250 people so far in the attack, including conspiracy, assault, civil disorder and obstruction of an official proceeding. Authorities have suggested that rare sedition charges could be coming against some. Hundreds of Trump supporters were photographed and videotaped storming the Capitol and scores posted selfies inside the building on social media, so they can’t exactly argue in court they weren’t there. Blaming Trump may be the best defense they have.
Breach defense: Blame Trump | US | The Journal Gazette
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