tim Re...There is a difference between saying "X was never convicted of rape", and "X didn't rape anyone". <<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Legally, they both are the same. Until one is convicted in a court of law, legally the rape didn't occur. It is just hearsay or alledged until then. Now you and I can say between us that "OJ killed 2 people" or that "Bill raped Juanita"; but in the eyes of the law, neither happened because in the criminal trial, OJ was found innocent, and Bill was never charged; and therefore never had an opportunity to defend himself. David wants to believe that because of the sleezy lawyers OJ hired, or maybe on a technicality, OJ got off. But that simply isn't true. I read Newsweek faithfully for ten yrs. During the trial, Newsweek themselves ran several mock trials, where t lawyers for both presented the case to the mock jury, copied after the real trial. And in every trial OJ was found innocent. In addition, the History Channel has run a program on this case, and have said what made the jury decide OJ was innocent. Believe me, that verdict wasn't a fluke. The real trial, several mock trials, and the History channel have all found OJ innocent by reasonable doubt. Frankly right now I am with you or David and think OJ did it; but there wasn't enough evidence to convict, for some reason, and if we believe in the constitution, that everyone is innocent until proven guilty, we also have to concur; otherwise our jurisprudence system has no foundation, and has no basis to exist.
One is assumed to be innocent in terms of legal consequences. That doesn't mean that one is as a matter of fact innocent or that individuals can not decide for themselves that the facts seem to indicate that someone is guilty. <<<<<<<
Yes it does. It means just what it says it means. Does that mean you have no right to think otherwise. No, you have a right to think it under the first amendment, because no one can be charged with a crime for his thoughts. But you have no right to publicize it, and materially harm OJ with your thoughts. That is why newspapers get sued all the time. Why? Because the constitution, the law of the land says so. You may not like it, but it is the law. Period. |
