Not guilty (Police sex case verdict, 1 March)

[MisterD]

Because the prosecution did not prove to the jury that they were guilty 'beyond reasonable doubt' - does not mean that they didn't 'do it' !!

Think about it !!

No, but the law says that becuase they were not proven to have done it we must assume that they are innocent That is one of the foundation pillars of our society - comprende?

[marty]

You are being obtuse. "proven" is in italics (and brackets!) and surely most took it as the (always) unspoken inference in the Foreman's statement.

like the unspoken inference that the sex was consensual?

have you ever been to court? do you have any idea how much meaning is applied to words spoken in there? 'not guilty' means that the case has not been proven 'beyond reasonable doubt'. 'guilty' means 'proven beyond a reasonable doubt'. nothing more, nothing less. if you want to be found 'innocent' go to scotland.

[avgas]

Dont forget folks, lawyers were the winners at the end of the day.
It only cost a few million to get to the end.

[avgas]

Not Guilty = Innocent.

LOL - does that make us all innocent i like that concept....makes me feel less dirty

[MisterD]

LOL - does that make us all innocent i like that concept....makes me feel less dirty

Well unless you're not telling us something and are logging on from Paremoremo...

[denill]

like the unspoken inference that the sex was consensual?

have you ever been to court? do you have any idea how much meaning is applied to words spoken in there? 'not guilty' means that the case has not been proven 'beyond reasonable doubt'. 'guilty' means 'proven beyond a reasonable doubt'. nothing more, nothing less. if you want to be found 'innocent' go to scotland.

It's looking like I'm a bit of a voice in the wilderness here as I have had no support - but the consensus of responses to me has been that the 'Not Guilty' verdict has convinced my opponents that 'they' are to be regarded as innocent.
I will insist on maintaining that is an unacceptable and naive attitude.

Instead of just coming back with rebuttals that avoid the issue - get real. and consider the alternatives.

There have been numerous cases in history when 'they got away with it'.

I have written before - I'm buggered if I know if they are innocent or guilty.

[Grahameeboy]

It's looking like I'm a bit of a voice in the wilderness here as I have had no support - but the consensus of responses to me has been that the 'Not Guilty' verdict has convinced my opponents that 'they' are to be regarded as innocent.
I will insist on maintaining that is an unacceptable and naive attitude.

Instead of just coming back with rebuttals that avoid the issue - get real. and consider the alternatives.

There have been numerous cases in history when 'they got away with it'.

I have written before - I'm buggered if I know if they are innocent or guilty.

I see what you are saying but why are we debating when the case has been heard and verdict given..............taking Dented's personal experience, I think it is wrong to make judgement

[candor]

We are debating for the same reason Arthur Allan Thomas case was debated or the Peter Ellis case. Because the legal system has serious glitches which need debating if anything is ever to improve.

Verdicts do noyt define reality and they do not close the bok howebe much tidyy endings are preferred. Appeals, and debate and protests are all in order often enough. Or we'd be stuck with still burning witches which is how primitive todays rape trials will hopefully be seen in a hundred years.

[Grahameeboy]

Whoops..no idea who these geezers are and I see both sides but this has really turned into a Police bash again and I guess we have to move on.......like I said Dented's personal experience is a case in point and the problem with rape cases is that even when the verdict is 'Not Guilty' the aquitted still has to deal with those who judge.....just feel that we3 should leave be and if there is an injustice it will come to bite them in the bum one day.

[Guitana]

It's looking like I'm a bit of a voice in the wilderness here as I have had no support - but the consensus of responses to me has been that the 'Not Guilty' verdict has convinced my opponents that 'they' are to be regarded as innocent.
I will insist on maintaining that is an unacceptable and naive attitude.

Instead of just coming back with rebuttals that avoid the issue - get real. and consider the alternatives.

There have been numerous cases in history when 'they got away with it'.

I have written before - I'm buggered if I know if they are innocent or guilty.

No one ever gets away with it in the end. They pay one way or another!!!!

[Guitana]

We are debating for the same reason Arthur Allan Thomas case was debated or the Peter Ellis case. Because the legal system has serious glitches which need debating if anything is ever to improve.

Verdicts do noyt define reality and they do not close the bok howebe much tidyy endings are preferred. Appeals, and debate and protests are all in order often enough. Or we'd be stuck with still burning witches which is how primitive todays rape trials will hopefully be seen in a hundred years.

Nothing wrong with a good old witch burning mate!!!

[Patrick]

It is really quite simple folks...

EVERYONE, including CR and his merry gang of sexual fiends, are innocent until proven guilty, they were NOT proven guilty, so innocent remains...

[Squeak the Rat]

Yep. Whatever system we have, there will be cases where the jury gets it wrong. So what's more important to society, that we lock up every single crim, or that we keep innocent people out of jail? Unfortunately you cannot have both.

It is sickening that not enough rape cases result in a conviction. But I believe in order to protect the innocent that there really is only one solution to that, report it immediately. That provides physical evidence, and removes a lot of doubt that it's a regret or vendeta issue.

Due in part to these cases, I believe that it's unlikely any one will be turned away from a cop shop in the future when trying to report a rape.

[MisterD]

There have been numerous cases in history when 'they got away with it'.

As there have of cases where innocent people were locked up for a long time.

Utopia does not exist.

[spudchucka]

Due in part to these cases, I believe that it's unlikely any one will be turned away from a cop shop in the future when trying to report a rape.

No complainant would ever be turned away without being investigated first. If the investigation proved the complaint to be false then the likelihood is that the complainant would find themselves facing charges.