Burnt Orange Report

Don't forget about Paris Hilton. Meanwhile, a rich pedophile goes free.

Don't be so quick with your ".. rich pedophile goes free." comment. A reasonable (all Caucasian by the way) jury listened and weighed the evidence. What good is even having a jury system -or a court system in general, if we don't at least give some weight to the jury verdict?

And by the way, (and I am quite sure this is not going to be a popular opinion but) I am quite sick and tired of hearing about how everyone who ever was an alter boy at a catholic church, has a mental illness, is depressed, is over-weight or just has a bad life - was molested as a child! If all of these people really were molested and we were to add in the molesters, it seems as though it would be a majority of the population of the United States!

I know from a family law attorney in town that in OVER 50% of all contested child custody cases, one or BOTH parents accuse the other of molesting one or all of their children. Even though I do think that there are many real and credible cases of child molestation, I think in today’s "I am a victim" world, it is lied about to obtain cash, power, child custody or other things.

Not to disrespect those who truly are victims of child sexual abuse, but I gotta give a Hell Yeah to gayinmidland on that one.

Gay, didn't you know that all homosexuals were abused as children and if you just love Jesus enough he'll make you want vagina?

Michael Jackson's a tad on the weird side for me, but look, the jury heard the evidence, it was a hard case to make to begin with, and they weren't convinced.

I can't believe I feel compelled to debate the merits of the Jackson trial.

I thought if you loved Jesus enough you wouldn't want to have sex at all. Darn that St. Augustine!

I've been up Santa Maria way more than once, both as an attorney and otherwise. For California, it is a fairly conservative place, with lots of farmers, retirees and people who work at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and looks a lot like the jury being questioned on "Eyewitness News" (KABC Channel 7 Los Angeles) while I am typing this. If this jury acquitted Jacko, then the prosecution apparently failed to meet its legal burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and it looks like the jury reached a fair verdict here.

Not to say he didn't do it, but our system strongly presumes innocence. If the rich and famous get off (Cullen Davis, O.J., Robert Blake etc.), maybe the less wealthy deserve more protection from criminal jeopardy. As Thomas More said in "A Man for All Seasons," he would give the devil all the benefit of the law "for my own safety's sake."

I really, really wanted to believe that Michael was innocent, because I'm a fan, but I had a sinking feeling he wasn't. So I'm glad he is, but I would have accepted the jury's judgment had they found him guilty.

He's weird--there's no debating that--and he probably has strange ideas about what's appropriate and what isn't, but I don't think he would intentionally hurt anyone, especially a child.

What's the big deal?

An all-white jury aquitted a middle-aged white woman. It happens all the time.

Having done jury service in an aggrevated sexual assualt of a minor trial (Yes - in Midland) - I must give credit where credit is due. The jury did EXACTLY what they were supposed to do. They strictly adhered to the judges orders, they put personal bias aside and considered only evidence that was brought forth during the trial. It doesn't get much fairer than that folks.

If the verdict is not what you would have liked, you can thank the prosecutor. Sitting on a jury was one of the best learning experience. Everyone should be REQUIRED to do it at least once in your life.

gt - Thank you for reminding us of the unsung heros in the criminal justice system, our jurors.

Unfortunately for me, I highly suspect I'm now unable to sit on a jury (dismissable by cause - too tainted by formal education).