Just because you can…

I’ve said many times, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”  I can’t take credit for.  I’ve heard it dozens of times from other people, not to mention it was a regular statement my parents would make ( to my siblings, never to me ). Right Mom?? 🙂

Today’s, “just because you can” thought comes to us courtesy of the courtroom and the circus that it has become because of, “the people’s right to know.”  Lost is the prestige and decorum that used to be prominent in courtrooms.

Turn to the George Zimmerman trial in Sanford, Florida.  The world has a front row seat to the murder trial. One that come’s with some incredibly touchy side issues, not the least of which is Race.  So, how does the hallowed room of justice carry out a witness testimony when the witness can’t be in the courtroom?

Skype.  A Skype witness testimony.  Seriously?  Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.  Why, I’ll leave you with this one picture from one journalist covering the trial…

What could possibly go wrong?

What could possibly go wrong?

 

About Tim Burrows

Tim Burrows was a sworn police officer for 25 years with experience in front line operations, primary response, traffic, detective operations and supervision. He has training in a broad spectrum of policing responsibilities including, IMS, Emergency Management, computer assisted technology investigations, leadership, community policing and crisis communications. Tim is available to assist you with your social media program and communication. Click here to contact him http://bit.ly/ContactTimBurrows
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3 Responses to Just because you can…

  1. Nancy Westacott says:

    Tim,

    I wrote my final paper in college on “Trial by Media”.
    I was not long after the OJ Simpson debacle and it was that farce that got me thinking about it.
    Happily I got a great grade on my paper – but I also did loads and loads of research. What I found was that there were many more episodes before the OJ mess of where people were tried in the “Court of Public Opinion” and at least one conviction (that I can remember) was overturned on appeal. I wish I still had the paper – but it is either packed away in a box or long gone.
    The Zimmerman trial that is currently going on is just one of a long list that, in my opinion should not be televised.
    I have not watched any of it – the Jodie Arias trial was enough for me. I don’t watch them to see someone squirm and be decimated in court, rather I watch the law. By that I mean, how both the Defence and the Prosecution apply the laws on the books to the case. I am lucky that I am able to separate my emotions from my knowledge of the law – the Casey Anthony trial was one that it came in handy to be able to do that with.

    In my opinion, TruTV, Court TV, HLN et al, should not be able to televise these trials or have their commentators pick apart everything bit by bit. It gives a bias to both the defense and the prosecution. I have to say that when I heard the Arias jury had not been sequestered I almost fell off my chair. What was that judge thinking?

    Anyhow, I digress LOL. I think that social media has its place, but in a courtroom is not one of those places. I think a blatant example of this travesty was during the penalty phase of the Russell Willams trial. I refused to watch anything related to that trial. I have enough of an imagination, I didn’t need to see the pictures nor hear the commentary of said pictures by tweets on Twitter nor the front page of any Canadian newspaper the next day.

    The public’s “Right to Know” should never be paramount over the victims rights and the right of the defendant to a fair and just trial. Sadly, I think both are taking a back seat to the public’s need for bloodlust.

    Just say…

    nancy

  2. Thanks intended for giving these very good information.

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