Trial of the Centuries
Orenthal James Simpson recently passed. His trial, for the murder of his former wife and a friend of hers, consumed much of the years 1994-1995. He was aquitted of the killings after hiring (assembling?) a “dream team” of some of the most famous defense attorneys of that time. Fortunately (in my humble opinion) OJ ended up doing time for other offenses later in life. Who of us living at that time can forget the lengthy chase up the freeway? “If it fits, you must acquit ”.
In this century, we are experiencing several trials of a former president, which has never happened before. The defendant has teams of attorneys handling trials in Miami. FL, Washington DC, and state cases in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY. At this writing, they have managed to kick the can down the road on all but the New York case. Expensive stuff, these !legal fees. Wonder who’s paying them. Although he is probably not a billionaire, he seems to be able to afford whatever representation he needs.
Then, there is one Joe Morelli. Joe has mental issues and lives in Endicott, NY. Joe’s crime? Verbally harassing Marjorie Taylor Greene, via text. For this crime, Joe served an 82 day sentence in a federal prison. Joe was defended by a public defender, for which Joe was one client among, probably, several hundred.
So, we have one from the last century who probably did two murders, one from this century who (to take the most serious crime) fomented a coup on the U.S. capitol, and some poor soul who vented on a congressional gadfly. The only one who did jail time. EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW. Indeed.
How many Joe Morelli’s are out there? Thousands. How many are incarcerated simply out of inability to pay court costs, raise bail money or get a “speedy” trial? The Home of the Free (because) of the Brave has the highest per capita imprisonment in the free world. Meanwhile, we have a so-far unconvicted felon walking around. His crimes? Fomenting a bloody insurrection. Stealing of numerous classified documents – for what use? These are only the federal raps.
Yes, it’s complicated. What logistics must be accomplished to imprison someone with Secret Service protection, among other issues. Don’t know, but it’s not rocket science.
Rogernarc 