tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post3696429473818282955..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: 'The Science of Injustice'Gritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-72969498963792323212011-08-20T15:56:30.328-05:002011-08-20T15:56:30.328-05:00In the Austin Chronicle's article it lists the...In the Austin Chronicle's article it lists the names of those who found Trotter's remains as being spelled "Raglind" when in fact the correct spelling is "Ragland". Now I don't know if this misspelling is intentional on the part of those in Montgomery county who would prefer to hide the criminal record of the elder Ragland or is just a mistake by Jordan Smith who authored the article. In any case it would make sense (if justice where to be the true goal) that the elder Ragland submit his DNA so that it could be compared to up-to-now unidentified DNA beneath Trotter's fingernails. <br /><br />I also find the excuse about Ragland searching for missing guns to be a staggering implausible one.<br /><br />I can imagine circumstances where if one had kidnapped a woman it would be advantageous to wait to dump the body until law enforcement had announced they had made an arrest in the case.<br /><br />The indisputable fact that the area where the remains were found had previously been searched by law enforcement, along with his previous conviction for violence should have made Ragland fall under immediate scrutiny. Why it didn't is a question that only Dan Norris of the MCSO who investigated the case can explain. After all, law enforcement certainly wouldn't want to dig too far and turn up evidence that would leave them with the appearance of incompetence as careers are on the line.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-34622879410810597532011-08-20T14:44:32.346-05:002011-08-20T14:44:32.346-05:00I agree with John....the plea deal is the rule of ...I agree with John....the plea deal is the rule of choice used in American courts today. It's not only Texas that is guilty of this but Georgia and many other states. It should be a crime and prosecutors who perpetrate this practice ought to pay the same price as the wronged defendant. I'll bet a few months or years in prison for a prosecutor or judge could make the courts practice better law.L. Rothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-67967086275621163152011-08-20T11:05:27.468-05:002011-08-20T11:05:27.468-05:00It's a big advantage not to be executed, so th...It's a big advantage not to be executed, so that the bureaus have time to do their jobs.<br /> Meanwhile, as with the West Memphis Three, by now THE REAL KILLER is either playing golf or in office.<br /> But since those in power cannot admit their incompetence is only exceeded by their arrogance--and don't want to pay restitution; just let 'em plead "guilty," and let 'em out. <br /> But wait, wouldn't that clear the prisons, right after it cleared all legislatures?johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02808884177035705472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-24849183509780114392011-08-20T02:54:53.703-05:002011-08-20T02:54:53.703-05:00"[...]if the science says he didn't do it..."[...]if the science says he didn't do it, doesn't mean that you can ignore the science."<br /><br />Apparently it does mean precisely that!Bünzlinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26297060620977941082011-08-20T00:54:43.433-05:002011-08-20T00:54:43.433-05:00There needs to be an independent body that reviews...There needs to be an independent body that reviews cases and decides whether to overturn original convictions or decisions. Asking the same Judges (who are elected) and police to change their minds (and in most cases, look at best stupid and at worst, corrupt) is never going to work in favour of fact.sunray's wenchhttp://lookingforthecabinbythelake.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-33857325089925808202011-08-19T21:20:25.146-05:002011-08-19T21:20:25.146-05:00This is why I want to vomit when I hear people say...This is why I want to vomit when I hear people say, "I really trust our criminal justice system", or "I really have faith in the jury system".<br /><br />It's like Winston Churchill said about democracy: it's the worst system in the world, except for all the others.Prison Dochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03651611135066437902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-88788238784322980082011-08-19T21:00:16.460-05:002011-08-19T21:00:16.460-05:00One thing all the innocence cases have in common.....One thing all the innocence cases have in common...these people never stop fighting to prove their innocence. That tells you a lot right there. Most people in there are just doing their time. It is shocking really when the courts continue to ignore forensics and that they have the power to do so.Audreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04316183416545492160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-69087713785508190352011-08-19T20:56:33.006-05:002011-08-19T20:56:33.006-05:00The use of DNA goes against the "law enforcem...The use of DNA goes against the "law enforcement grain" of rounding up the usual suspects and seeing which one they can stick a crime on.<br /><br />Cops MUST get used to the FACT that they are going to have to investigate, gather evidence and find the suspect that meets the evidentiary criteria not the one that's the most nasty that they can manage to implicate.<br /><br />What's concerning to me and should be to everyone else is that for all of the convenient suspects locked up in prison who are innocent of the crime they are sitting there for, the real perp is likely still on the streets.Hook Em Hornshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660612847019528535noreply@blogger.com