| You're probably right. My own unscientific belief is that jury members don't look kindly on someone who does not testify in his own defense. They are free to assume there is something really bad there. Again my own belief is to get someone on to tell his side of the story, admit to past lies, be contrite, etc., present a human face, a face that but for certain circumstances could be that of every man. It is a tough call I agree, but given the other testimony I think it hurts a defendant in this type of situation. OTOH, from the reports, the FBI defendant, with his swagger, was not a good witness. If you're going to get on the stand and pretend to be better than anyone else, above the law, then it is better not to testify. It's the old Nixon thing. If Nixon had just gone on tv and admitted he screwed up, well, IMO, history would be very different. |
