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Original poster

To think the Ched Evans verdict shows why mob justice is wrong

864 replies

JonathanDunn · 14/10/2016 17:10

Hundreds of thousands of people were willing Condemn a innocent man. He was practically forced out of football. This is why we can't play jury from our sofas.

OP posts:
PortiaCastis · 20/10/2016 14:45

Can a private case be brought because some lawyers are said to be offering their expertise for free?

twofingerstoGideon · 20/10/2016 14:59

larry The 'bung', as you call it, was not mentioned to the jury. Reported in the Sun (of all places) and elsewhere. link
Massey, 27, sent a Facebook message about the huge cash reward to hotel receptionist Gavin Burrough – but he refused to change his story. Prosecuting barrister Simon Medland QC said the “subtle and repeated” five-figure sum was “akin to a bribe”. The jury at Evans’ retrial was not told about the Facebook messages after the judge ruled them inadmissible.

PortiaCastis · 20/10/2016 15:42

two fingers thank you for that.
I wonder why the bung was inadmissable?

HillaryFTW · 20/10/2016 16:16

Larry

That link has been posted several times since the verdict and various MN solicitors have discussed it, if you want to AS to get the insights.

HillaryFTW · 20/10/2016 16:18

Portia

I think because the suggestion went to a witness who hadn't changed his story and Ched didn't make the bribe himself

PortiaCastis · 20/10/2016 16:27

Tha law is an ass !!

Has anyone read today's guest post ?

Datun · 20/10/2016 17:11

I Think the prosecution wasn't allowed to mention the bribe in context. So couldn't say it was on Facebook, couldn't say Natasha had directly asked the receptionist, etc. I believe they were allowed to ask a direct question 'have you been offered a reward for your testimony'. As if it was just a run of the mill question. To which they said no. So the jury didn't know the background when they heard that question asked and answered.

Datun · 20/10/2016 17:13

*weren't

MostlyHet · 20/10/2016 17:49

Portia - yes, it's shocking isn't it? (Also the heartbreaking story on the whyIdidn'treport thread, where someone was told, having fought tooth and nail against her rapist, that if he wasn't convicted she would be prosecuted for GBH!)

MostlyHet · 20/10/2016 17:50

I tell you something, if I was a juror from that trial and now reading the press coverage - in particular the fact that the attempted bribe had been discussed in the judge's chambers, but deemed inadmissible evidence, I would be feeling like I'd been stitched up!

Datun · 20/10/2016 17:52

Quite.

PortiaCastis · 20/10/2016 17:53

I hope that a private prosecution will be brought with a video link. Putting that girl on the stand for 3hours was deplorable and barbaric

Datun · 20/10/2016 18:50

A video link would give her more control. Wonder why they don't do that. Especially in her case as she remembered nothing so couldn't be accused of lying.

Memoires · 20/10/2016 18:55

What can a juror do if they feel like that - that they were misled in some way and feel that their decision was wrong? At least they can write to the judge, I suppose, saying that. Otherwise it's the papers Sad

PortiaCastis · 20/10/2016 19:48

I think the jurors have been misled but no idea what they can do about it

HelenaDove · 20/10/2016 20:02

MostlyHet Thu 20-Oct-16 17:49:02
Portia - yes, it's shocking isn't it? (Also the heartbreaking story on the whyIdidn'treport thread, where someone was told, having fought tooth and nail against her rapist, that if he wasn't convicted she would be prosecuted for GBH!)

JESUS CHRIST!

PortiaCastis · 20/10/2016 20:10

Helena I'm not typing what I really think.
The whole thing is shocking
That verdict on Friday will stop women reporting and Im speechless at the other thread.
Putting this on again so evening people don't have to trawl for it

www.bath.ac.uk/ipr/our-publications/policy-briefs/court-response-to-rape.html

HelenaDove · 20/10/2016 20:12

YY Portia.

a7 the ONS also classed workfare as being in employment!

TheWoodlander · 20/10/2016 20:15

It's like we're going back in time. Rape victims being victimised over and over again - and then risking charges against them.

My friend was a rape victim, who managed to get a guilty verdict - but she is petrified because the perpetrator keeps threatening to bring 'false rape allegation' charges against her. He has appealed and appealed - and been refused - and he is now trying to get a ccrc review. He has stated on his appeals docs that he wants her 'put in prison for lying'. He's got nowhere so far - but case has severely affected her. None of this is good for her mental health (understatement).

TheWoodlander · 20/10/2016 20:16

*Ched Evans's case has severely affected her.

venusinscorpio · 20/10/2016 20:20

That's terrible, Woodlander.

PortiaCastis · 20/10/2016 20:21

woodlander Give your friend a big hug from me

TheWoodlander · 20/10/2016 20:23

Venus, he's torturing her from his prison cell. It doesn't really feel like justice.

He managed to get her previous sexual history raised in court too, and they grilled her for 2 days about it in the witness box.

venusinscorpio · 20/10/2016 20:25

Your poor friend Flowers