Another fu*& up?

[Run n Spread]

Interesting read. http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-devil-in-the-detail-20140210-32amx.html
Will be interested to see how the appeal goes. I realise it is one article but to me the whole case is so circumstantial and flimsy I can't believe it went to trial.

Reminds me a lot of the Gordon Wood case where he was convicted of killing his girlfriend by throwing her off the gap based on some crackpot theory by "an expert" based on a spear throw theory which was done by chucking female police officers off a diving board. Rumour and inneundo did the rest. As it appears to have done in this case.

Is it just me or does Australia have a very bad history of getting key cases wrong? Is it the jury system or the fact that the rules aren't explained properly. Part of the problem I reckon is the attitude that if there is any doubt the go to option is a trial, let the jury sort it out. The problem being that juries aren't always the best to decide complex facts of law and both sides are out to win rather then seek the truth.

Reckon it is high time some of those who prosecute these cases are questioned forensically themselves on how they make such collussal fu*& ups. But it appears to be mistakes happen business as usual.

I realise this post is based on 1 article but there are a hell of a lot of cases where the system has failed badly in Australia's history.

If I am ever on a jury by God the evidence would have to be fu&*& watertight before I would even consider convicting someone.

 

[quickstraw]

We not as bad as US. I've watched a heap of US crime shows and their system seems to be:

I'm on the jury and if I think he's guilty then i'm going to vote guilty. Our system or status quo is a bit more "regardless of my personal opinion, the evidence has to show beyond reasonable doubt defendant is guilty before I vote guilty".

The Gordon Wood case always bothered me. Personally I think he's guilty but from all the evidence I've seen I can't see how it is beyond doubt? There's just not enough evidence to convict him. I'd rather a killer get a bly than a possible innocent person get a sentence.

This is not about opinions of guilt but about evidence. No wonder so many think Americans are idiots.