Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I much prefer to see them in front of the Judge stating “GUILTY”. A word we will never hear from them IF they opt for trial.
After watching a YouTube video or other forums & seeing comments made about parties to the case, I see nothing beneficial from a trial. The outcome is essentially the same. The DP is not much dif’ than LWOP other than safer living conditions, in prison. Gotta be protected on DR, kept alive for your next appeal.
Here, the Judge has the ultimate say. Not the jury/state.
You are correct. Some states, and I’ll have to look at Ohio, have separate sentencing juries. And yes a Judge can risk a public backlash for overriding a juried decision.
In this egregious crime against 8, it is my opinion that the greater respect and responsibility for the crime and the public right to see justice might come close to being equal to the Rhoden families rights and opinions.
For example;
If allowed to make a deal, will the public perception be that the Waggies money and influence have had any impact;
It might be the case that any supporters who might be an issue need to publicly see the evidence submitted during trial to calm some of the emotional Waggie supporters,
The public process and policy of innocent until proven guilty is a good process. As gruesome as all of it might be, the public has a right to know the investigation was properly conducted, that no one manufactured evidence and every right was followed throughout the investigation, arrest and afterwards,
In light of the recent anonymous rumors/fact, I believe it important for the residents of Pike County to believe in the integrity of LE and their court system.
I strongly believe those accusations are related to the Waggies and if properly investigated, the person behind them should be identified. And I really believe there will be more deceptive activity if the locals think the Waggies were afforded any advantage whatsoever.
A trial, while stressful and most difficult will be factual, not always 100% accurate but it does officially provide families and the public of what happened to Rhodens and most likely the motive, the rumor Mills’s get the wind taken out of their sails,
It might also put to rest any fear locals have(that have been published in the local news) that no one in the area might do more harm. Although DEWine said they got them all, people need evidence that in fact they did arrest them all.
In conclusion it might be good public policy for all those questions, concerns and fears to be answered in a courtroom, covered by media in an open public process.
