The judge presiding over the case, the aforementioned Judge Gary Nickerson, stated that McCowen did not deserve a new trial because the charges of racial bias tainting the jury were unfounded. He did not go into much detail beyond that (at least as the media is reporting it and I currently cannot find a full transcript of Nickerson's decision). It is disappointing because it seemed like the the charges of racial bias, if not completely true, had some
But what is even more confounding is what Cape and Islands District Attorney Micheal O'Keefe said following the ruling: "Though it's not perfect, O'Keefe said, 'The system works.'" It is confounding that someone who works within the system everyday feels that this system works. This system is broken in so many ways - from the initial contact with the system through the police all the way up to the "correctional" system and incarceration. This is the same legal system that legally segregated blacks and white for almost 50 years, the same system that allowed laws against sodomy - which is defined legally as any sex beyond vaginal penetration - until 2003, the system that let OJ Simpson walk, the system that is not even respected by our presidents, a system that has incorrectly incarcerated over 200 people (that has been proven so far), kept Genarlow Wilson in jail for years, a system that has executed an innocent man (who knows how many others). The system is far from perfect, Mr. O'Keefe, nor is it exactly "working."
Of course, Michael O'Keefe himself does not believe in the system. Let's not forget that he asked all men in Truro to give up a sample of their DNA to match up to the DNA found on Worthington (who O'Keefe has called a "slut" in the past). Of course, anyone who has glanced over the
While I originally thought that Nickerson would grant McCowen a new trial, it appears that this will not happen. Is McCowen innocent? I have no idea. Does he deserve a new trial because of what has been alleged? I believe so. He may be guilty, and if he is I think it would be better to have him convicted by a jury that is not tainted by allegations of racial bias. As far as O'Keefe goes, hopefully he handles future investigations a little better than the Worthington one and won't call victims sluts or try to get people to forgo their constitutional rights. Peace.
Photos - Christopher McCowen (www.boston.com), Christa Worthington (nymag.com), Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe (www.capecodtoday.com)
#1: Its DNA was found in the victim,#2:I dont care if there was racial bias,The DNA recovered is proof it raped and murdered this beautiful woman.You seem to think that if a criminal is black,they shouldnt be held accountable for their actions,typical NAACP non sence.Why dont you do a blog on the rape,torture and murders of Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom and how the knoxville chapter of the NAACP threatened to boycott all the major news stations if they reported on it.Their excuse was they didnt want a race riot,when what they really wanted to do was suppress the fact that all 5 negro scum were members of the NAACP.How is it that everytime a negro is caught and convitcted of a crine,they claim racism.Its the new negro mantra.
ReplyDeleteTypical words of a Bigot.
ReplyDelete