Discussion for article #223303
I actually agree with this. $200k was ridiculous. Bond is supposed to be to deter flight risks (no evidence of an issue here) and/or keep the community safe (a no-contact order will suffice here; no evidence of an intent to physically harm anyone in this case). Unless he has a prior record, $200k was way too high.
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A high bond with a short jail stay has a very high return on cooperation. When the caged birds sings you might as well let them out.
That’s pretty unconstitutional. Imagine a prosecutor using that in their bail application: “Our case is circumstantial, but we need to keep the defendant in jail so he’ll cooperate/confess.” In any case, he wasn’t “let out”; his attorney successfully argued that the $200k bail was too high. Which means that the prosecutor didn’t “agree” to do anything.
Well, I would guess the prosecutor did not contest the bail reduction motion because of cooperation. If it was not appropriate why did the judge agree to it in the first place. I surmise the defendant had counsel at the initial bail hearing. Lady justice is blind and the overcharging and high bail are standard practices used on defendants with little or no income, leading to cooperation and plea deals.
The death of a mentally ill veteran in NYC jail over a $2,500 bail for trespassing is a good example. I am glad you still have faith but the studies are all over the place about prosecutorial misconduct/preferences in these areas, including jury selections. I am sure an esquire would know what is unconstitutional.
Probably was set that high in deference to Cochran. Teahadists notwithstanding, the man had to have made a few friends over his time bringing the bacon back home.
I still cannot understand why this man is being harassed by John Boehner and his corporate thugs. Bloggers deserve the same First Amendment protections as journalists, writers, artists, movie makers, photographers, priests and religious charlatans. This is bad judgement but not a crime. This was an effort to promote political speech and to advance a political agenda.
Arguably, the Mississippi voters have a right to know that Thad Cochran is having an affair with a Senate aide and that taxpayers are paying for his and his mistress’ trips to exotic locations.
Release him so he can rob Senator Cochran’s family plot? Kidnap his grandchildren? Shoot at all the Cochran women who reject his sexual advances?
This guy broke into a nursing home (probably with a gun). He scared the entire population and staff of the dementia ward with his video cam…invading their privacy.
And you have the nerve to say that he has a First Amendment Right to terrorize all of them? This man was not a blogger. He’s a criminal…a very indecent, unholy scourge on the community. Even the Christian Wrong finds it offensive.
Don’t think for a minute that you will be able to go where the Westboro Baptist Church did with their death watches. Scalia isn’t so depraved that even he would call what this man did investigative reporting.
No, this is a crime. If the allegations are true, he’s violated two provisions of MS state law. A journalist, writer, artist, movie maker, or photographer can’t use the First Amendment to justify sneaking into your home in order to take videos of you without your consent. And the First Amendment doesn’t give anyone the right to take advantage of a demented nursing home patient to advance his blogging “career.”
This has absolutely nothing to do with whether Cochran is schtupping his aide. How would taking videos of Cochran’s disabled wife prove or disprove that?
Had to throw out the rumours of an affair for the world didn’t you (very Rovish of you)? Filming the senator’s wife in a nursing home helps proves that how? If it was not a crime he would not have been arrested nor had a $75,000 bail set for his release pending trial. This dude will more than likely plead this out.
I trust the Tea Party more than the corporate kleptocrats of the Republican party. I would love to see social and fiscal conservatives find a real conservative party they can rally behind. The Tea Party seems to have legs.
Moreover, you cannot trust the police and legal system in places like Mississippi and Texas. The sheriffs and the judges thee are bought and paid for by monied interests.
I don’t see what the problem is here. The public has a right to know Mrs. Cochran’s condition. It has bearing on Thad’s ability to represent his constituents.Video is the currency of the day and the most journalists in mainstream media make up news from their Twitter feeds and press release.
Besides Chris McDaniels cannot be responsible for the actions of his supporters.