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DLT re-trial

103 replies

columngollum · 24/02/2014 10:55

Is this a constructive use of public funds?

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slug · 24/02/2014 11:44

Yes

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 11:49

We do have needy families without incomes to consider. The cost of one court trial could supply several families with food for decades.

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NigellasDealer · 24/02/2014 11:49

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NigellasDealer · 24/02/2014 11:50

and column that is all very well but it ain't going to happen is it? court funds diverted to feed hungry families? so it is a specious argument.

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Animation · 24/02/2014 11:52

Yes. Would like to see what another jury thinks.

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 11:54

How do you think budgets get allocated? In Cabinet, that's how. So, yes. The funds could perfectly well get re-allocated. IDS needs to get off his backside and feed some families.

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NigellasDealer · 24/02/2014 11:56

well if you think that is going to happen you are living in lala land

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 11:59

Just about any use of the funds is going to be better than this. What happens if they can't decide next time? Do courts operate a refund policy?

How about a no win no fee trial?

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NigellasDealer · 24/02/2014 12:01

actually to be honest i think DLT is another one 'thrown to the lions' to help cover up the extent of Savile's network - which reached to the highest echelons.

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 12:05

The Great Unwashed never gets to find out what goes on in the higher echelons. All we get downstream is muddy water.

But if I'm going to get muddy water, I'd rather not pay through the nose for it.

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 12:11

Does the CPS even have a value for money consideration? How about a civil trial where the burden of proof is lower?

Maybe the director of the CPS should be asked to stump up a bit of personal cash each time. Make speculative trials a bit rarer.

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Animation · 24/02/2014 12:25

Sex trials are a relatively a new phenomenon aren't they, and I'm glad that sex offence are taken seriously these days. They must be a buggar though for prosecutors to evidence and get burden of proof. But I expect through trial and error they will get there in the end, as with anything else. And it will be costly I agree.
I like to see justice done.

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slug · 24/02/2014 12:42

Isn't it standard practice that if the jury fail to come to a conclusion about a charge then a retrial is ordered?

This happened with two of the charges. Why should the rule not be applied in this instance?

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 13:33

On its website the CPS states public interest as being a major factor in any normal decision to seek a retrial. I think they're saying there's nothing automatic involved.

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 24/02/2014 14:22

Speculative trials? Hmm The court system isn't used speculatively. There has to be a case to answer and a reasonable prospect of conviction. The defendant gets the chance to rebuff the allegations. It's called justice.

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 14:34

reasonable prospect of conviction: And in any particular case where the judge directs the jury to return a verdict of not guilty I suppose the prospect looks less likely each minute. I suppose it all depends on one's view of what's reasonable!

Incidentally, which part of the public needs to be interested for it to be in the public's interest? I'm not.

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slug · 24/02/2014 15:30

How about all the women he assaulted? Or all the women who have historically endured sexual assaults at work? Surely it is in the public interest to prosecute these cases to demonstrate this behaviour is not acceptable in today's society?

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columngollum · 24/02/2014 15:52

If he assaulted them, I'd agree. Clearly the issue is whether or not he did.

Could it not be argued that the public interest is much better served by rounding up some altogether more guilty characters and trying them instead? The CPS has had a bite at the DLT cherry and come off much the worse for it.

There is no shortage of criminals out there. Why not put that supply to good use. Badly defining the public interest isn't better utilising public funds.

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Animation · 24/02/2014 16:09

"The CPS has had a bite at the DLT cherry and come off much the worse for it."

Well you have a point collumngollum. And if he's guilty it's a shame they couldn't get a conviction first time round - but the jury just couldn't agree. I hope in future the legal teams get better at this and that these cases get wrapped up more efficiently.

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Gymbob · 24/02/2014 16:26

the women he assaulted? have I got it really wrong, I thought he nipped a few bums and squeezed a few boobs?

there were no children involved were there?

I am disgusted that charges dating back 40 years are given any credence.

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slug · 24/02/2014 16:39

It's still sexual assault

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Gymbob · 24/02/2014 16:44

how old are you if you don't mind me asking slug?

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Gymbob · 24/02/2014 17:12

and yes it's not acceptable in today's society - but it was then and because of that alone it is outrageous that women can make allegations now Angry

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Catkinsthecatinthehat · 24/02/2014 17:17

One of the allegations which will be retried is from 2008, the other 1990, so only one could be described as 'historic' and neither allegedly occurred 'in a different era'

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Gymbob · 24/02/2014 17:19

there were 12 allegations in the first trial

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