Pickton - Murderer of 49 women ("Was gonna do 1 more - make it an even 50")

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Winston
A murder trial with an estimated duration of 12 months is so highly unfamiliar to what we're used to here. 240 witnesses for the prosecution alone? North Americans certainly leave no stone unturned. I don't think we've ever had a murder trial that lasted more than a week here. Trials may take longer in cases of economic crime or terror conspiracies, but a murder case with a single defendant? 3-4 days tops, guilt and sentencing phase combined.

Three to four days ?? Not possible. I expect the defense to have issues related to the confessions, warrants etc. which will require admissability voir dires and possibly multiple witnesses. The defence have already hinted at some diminished capacity defence to argue against the confession. I'm betting the judge will have to hear a couple of experts for each side before admitting that evidence.

Add in all the police and forensic people involved in just these 6 murders and its a lot.

THat said, a year seems long to me. How long will it take a forensic expert to state the fact that pieces of the 6 women were found on the farm.... even better if Pickton left his fingerprints or DNA on the pieces-- A fingerprint on the inside part of a severed head would be a particularly uincriminating piece of evidence .... " No I didn't kill her, I just touched her brain"

[Fake Boris]

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[Flubber]

Thinking more about it IO might have only charged 2 or 3 of the murders in the hopes of shortening the trial. If he gets LWOP you could stop IMHO. I never saw the point in trying proplr for additional crimes if there is no potential for additional punishment

[Winston]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
Crimes already commited are relevant because they can help to determine the likelyhood of future crimes, Winnie.

But of course. However, the point raised was one of justice. Go look it up sometime.

[Winston]

Originally posted by Flubber
Thinking more about it IO might have only charged 2 or 3 of the murders in the hopes of shortening the trial. If he gets LWOP you could stop IMHO. I never saw the point in trying proplr for additional crimes if there is no potential for additional punishment

Any implications for the severity of the sentence aside, which would play a role in some cases and jurisdictions, there's also the matter of hoping to achieve accountability for offenses committed and some measure of closure for the next of kin involved with the case.

But I do agree, once the challenge of death or life without parole has been met, justice has been served for that particular offender. Next, please!

By the way, I fully understand that instances of extremely prolonged trials is how it's often done in North America. I just made the observation of how alien it is compared to the way murder trials are undertaken here.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Winston


But of course. However, the point raised was one of justice. Go look it up sometime.

Justice doesn't exist.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Justice doesn't exist.

Hm?

[KrazyHorse]

What?

[Kuciwalker]

I'm trying to figure out what you mean by that. Justice doesn't exist in the real world? There is no ideal of justice? Something else?

[KrazyHorse]

The concept of justice exists, of course. Justice is irrelevant to my moral code.

[Winston]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Justice is irrelevant to my moral code.

Well I suppose that's one good way of dodging jury duty, if one is so inclined.

[KrazyHorse]

Why? I believe in applying the law.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Why? I believe in applying the law.

Which can, of course, often not result is something that most would consider "just"

[KrazyHorse]

The law can be mistaken in that it does not promote moral behaviour/deter immoral behaviour, or does not promote behaviour which benefits society as a whole (usually the same, but occasionally different) or does more harm than good, etc.

"Justice" is a completely separate concept, and one which does not motivate my beliefs.

[Nubclear]

Definitional debates are always fun