Is Justice Blind, or does the media spotlight taint the trial?

OJ Simpson

Phil Spector

Michael Jackson

Kobe Bryant

Casey Anthony

What is it about high profile trials that always end in shocking verdicts, outraged spectators, and a media frenzy?

I am starting to believe the hype and the insanity is a REQUIREMENT in high-profile cases.  Who cares about the person on trial, or the victims?  The trial quickly becomes about the spotlight.  The book deals.  The attorneys on both sides making names for themselves.

I love reading about these trials in the newspaper.  Most people forget to think like a juror: Wait until you hear both sides before making a judgement.   Too many times we see the Prosecution go first, and everyone is shouting "GUILTY! GUILTY!"  The trial becomes a witch-hunt, and the reporters make sure to feed their rabid readers.

Now, I'm not saying that I think Casey Anthony is innocent.  I waited until I read about both sides before coming to the conclusion she did it.  I mean, to me it seems like the lack of evidence is because she had a month to cover her tracks, but that is neither here nor there...

What I am saying is the initial reaction for any major trial is GUILTY by the majority, and outrage if "the criminal gets away with it."

The second this trial started, I had a hunch things would go the 'Not guilty' route.  Why?  There were too many people calling for her head.  What would get the biggest buzz on the news channels?  What would get the most people using Facebook / Twitter / etc and talking about the verdit?  Why, not guilty of course...

Besides, now you have 12 jurors with 12 stories, all clamoring for book deals.  Who will be the first to tell their story?  Who will have the best selling book?  Place your bets...

Whether she is really guilty or innocent, the verdict has been cast.  Justice, in all its twisted glory, has been done.  All I ask is that you do not lose sight of the biggest tragedy of all:  A little girl, one way or the other, lost her life.  My heart mourns for her.

Another thing that shocks me is the little publicity coming from a story in Ohio, where an HIV-positive father was arrested for raping his 6-month old son (find the story here).  He knew he had the disease, and therefore intentionally tried to give his son HIV.

In my opinion, this crime is worse than murder.  At least with murder the child's life has ended, and with it the suffering.  This poor child was (allegedly) raped, and given HIV by his father.  How do you cope with that?  I couldn't imagine...

I hope this trial stays out of the major TV channels.  This way daddy might actually get a 'fair' trial, and a guilty verdict could be possible.

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