4 ms·

This doesn't necessarily go against your point, but I have seen far too many innocent people coerced into pleading guilty to actually believe someone is guilty

by jjeaff 4y ago

This doesn't necessarily go against your point, but I have seen far too many innocent people coerced into pleading guilty to actually believe someone is guilty based on a guilty plea.

crackercrews 4y ago
Sure, that happens. But it's most likely when the accused has too few resources to win at trial. Here the college was clearly in their corner. Why would they plead guilty and say racism was no part of it? Their statements seems very credible under the circumstances.
- alsaaro 4y ago
  The kids accused of shoplifting were charged with felonies and eventually plead down to misdemeanors. Race is always a factor in America, especially its criminal justice system, are the students confessions genuine contrition or motivated by fear of disproportionate punishment? A question impossible to answer.
  - kthejoker2 4y ago
    Their guilt was definitely not in question. They were arrested by the cops in the middle of the act of assaulting the employee (kicking him while he was on the ground) and with the shoplifted property on their possession. A conviction was already assured, the guilty plea was an extremely rational move, whether out of contrition or fear.
- CrazyStat 4y ago
  The shoplifter is also a Phillips Andover grad--yes, that Phillips Andover, the one that's often ranked #1 prep school in the nation and costs $50k/year in tuition.
dehrmann 4y ago
True, but if you're a large institution making a public statement (this could be interpreted broadly) against a small business, you better be sure it's true. It's especially not worth it when the shoplifter was trying to use a fake ID.
nradov 4y ago
This was a civil trial, not criminal. The college never plead guilty. They were found liable. The college had competent legal representation and there was no coercion.
- joshuamorton 4y ago
  Gp wasn't talking about the college but the shoplifter, who was a criminal defendant and whose legal representation we have no knowledge of.

by jjeaff 4y ago

This doesn't necessarily go against your point, but I have seen far too many innocent people coerced into pleading guilty to actually believe someone is guilty based on a guilty plea.

crackercrews 4y ago

Sure, that happens. But it's most likely when the accused has too few resources to win at trial. Here the college was clearly in their corner. Why would they plead guilty and say racism was no part of it? Their statements seems very credible under the circumstances.

alsaaro 4y ago
The kids accused of shoplifting were charged with felonies and eventually plead down to misdemeanors. Race is always a factor in America, especially its criminal justice system, are the students confessions genuine contrition or motivated by fear of disproportionate punishment? A question impossible to answer.
- kthejoker2 4y ago
  Their guilt was definitely not in question. They were arrested by the cops in the middle of the act of assaulting the employee (kicking him while he was on the ground) and with the shoplifted property on their possession. A conviction was already assured, the guilty plea was an extremely rational move, whether out of contrition or fear.
CrazyStat 4y ago
The shoplifter is also a Phillips Andover grad--yes, that Phillips Andover, the one that's often ranked #1 prep school in the nation and costs $50k/year in tuition.

dehrmann 4y ago

True, but if you're a large institution making a public statement (this could be interpreted broadly) against a small business, you better be sure it's true. It's especially not worth it when the shoplifter was trying to use a fake ID.

nradov 4y ago

This was a civil trial, not criminal. The college never plead guilty. They were found liable. The college had competent legal representation and there was no coercion.

joshuamorton 4y ago
Gp wasn't talking about the college but the shoplifter, who was a criminal defendant and whose legal representation we have no knowledge of.