A Lot of People Owe A Lot of Apologies To A Lot of People
"There were many points in the case where caution would have served justice better than bravado," North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said.
He described the situation as a "'tragic rush to accuse' by an overreaching district attorney."
"I think a lot of people owe a lot of apologies to a lot of people,"
"Based on the significant inconsistencies between the evidence and the various accounts given by the accusing witness, we believe these three individuals are innocent of these charges,"
"This case shows the enormous consequences of overreaching by a prosecutor,"
So ends the Duke Lacrosse case brought by (soon-to-be-disbarred-and-sued-for-civil-rights-violations) District Attorney Mike Nifong. Note that the AG found the players "innocent." Usually a prosecutor will dismiss with a statement that they "could not prove someone did it." Not being able to prove someone did it, beyond a reasonable doubt, is worlds different than a prosecutor saying someone is innocent. This is damning to Nifong. And it demonstrates the exact reasons the Constitution's Framers were so fearful of government power. The government has endless resources--your tax dollars--and time. Three college students have nothing. Therefore, they wanted 10 guilty people to go free rather than 1 innocent person be convicted. Yet still, prosecutors can destroy lives.
Most prosecutorial misconduct cases don't get nearly this amount of press. The defendants-turned-victims simply have their names smeared, their cases quietly dismissed months or years later, and their savings spent on legal fees. But even though these defendants are getting publicly vindicated, I still feel very badly for them, their teammates, and their families. They've lost their sports season, their reputations--even with this dismissal, their resume line of "Duke Lacrosse Team" will forever prompt questions, their once-happy memories of college, and their faith in our justice system. What would Nifong's apology really do for them? Hopefully this drama causes all Americans to focus on the tremendous power we give to prosecutors, and to be more thoughtful in their selections.
I think most voters blow right past the question of their local District Attorney come election time. This case is why you need to do some research. Don't look at "conviction rates" or their press releases. Don't worry if they are an incumbent. Find out if they are people of character. Can they do justice in the face of mob opposition? Will they treat the poor and the rich the same? Will they make prosecutorial decisions--and thus bring the full power of the state down on some poor chump who was in the wrong place at the wrong time--to enhance their political career or to further justice? Will they apply the law or their will?
I have been involved in DA campaigns. In many ways I find them more important than presidential campaigns. I'm not exaggerating. Pay attention to them. If citizens do not use their power in the ballot box to throw out unjust leaders, they will be the victims--eventually--of injustice.
Thank goodness this buffoon Nifong--who has wrecked lives in his desire for re-election--is being shown for who he is and has brought this issue to our attention.
Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly,
Thomas More
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