Officer Acquitted in Freddie Grey Case

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. There was a high-profile murder trial recently in my fair city.

It generated many newspaper articles, both before and after a suspect had been arrested. Following the arrest of the suspect, his picture appeared often, in print and on television. With that, the newspaper commenters were off to the races.

"No need for a trial; execute him now," was pretty much the call of the mob. Even highly educated people got in on the act.

So many commenters decided that the individual who had been arrested was guilty, based solely on their impressions made through his appearance, and without hearing a word of testimony or seeing a single piece of evidence, that you'd think you were at DU.

After reading those comments, I decided that if I were ever charged with a crime that could lead to a trial by jury in northern Virginia, I would opt for a non-jury trial instead. At least a judge would - I hope - be better learned in the ways of jurisprudence.

Comments to newspaper articles have put the lie to the dream of a trial by your peers. Sorry; Twelve Angry Men is a myth anymore.