Youngstown police switched shell casings from another crime to build their case, prosecutors said.
Judge Patricia A. Cosgrove of Summit County Common Pleas Court granted Peacock’s request, calling the compromised evidence “a situation that strikes at the very heart of our democracy and our justice system.
“When we can no longer believe that the police, law enforcement, are being truthful, it’s a very sad day for the justice system,” Judge Cosgrove added.
Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy F. Hughes did not return detailed messages seeking comment on the case.
Since you are a public defense lawyer, and I use the word "defense" loosely, tell us a bit about your experience as a lawyer with plea deals.
Here is my guess without even knowing you:
Settled Without a Trial: 97% Trial: 3%
Am I close? Be honest with us. Are you a trial lawyer or a deal maker? My bet is that you are a deal maker.
How often have you been ill-informed about your clients' cases and circumstances before advising them to take pleas offered by prosecutors at arraignment?
The system you are a part of is rotten. The Dew case is an example of a legal system gone bad. I can't say that he didn't do something immoral, but was he guilty of what he was sentenced for? 43 years without parole is a life sentence to a 46 year old man.
The majority of police, prosecutors, public defenders, and judges are enemies of the people. They hide behind the judicial system and are cowards who believe they are above the law. They take advantage of the people in this country who do not understand their rights. They need to be reminded that "We The People" have given them their power.
I’m not sure how much longer our society will put up with this corruption, but I hope not much longer. We should all remember this poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group: When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn't a Jew. WHEN THEY CAME FOR ME, THERE WAS NO ONE LEFT TO SPEAK OUT.
I share some of the same feelings as WJHilton. I also have read everything I could find concerning this case (which in my opinion has been very poorly reported by the Youngstown media), and have talked with people I know who live in the Youngstown area. I have come to the sad conclusion that the legal system has once again failed to punish according to the truth.
The results of this case are not surprising since we do not live in a society where justice is sought after in our legal system. Most people who are accused of a crime do not understand that our judicial system in the United States is no longer a "Justice System"; it has been turned into an "Adversarial System." The goal is not to seek justice or truth. The goal is to win a conviction at all costs.
I agree 100% with WJHilton. When we are accused of a crime in this country we are no longer innocent until proven guilty, we are guilty until we prove our innocence, and you better have very deep pockets to prove your innocence. It all comes down to the almighty dollar. We are a country by the people, for the people, especially for the RICH people.
We as a society in this country need to wake up and understand that the legal system has become corrupted, and that the police, government lawyers, and judges are not our friends. When we are under investigation, we should not talk to the police and incriminate ourselves. We need to learn to keep our mouths shut, even if we are innocent. We need to retain and claim our rights. We have NO obligation to talk to the police and incriminate ourselves.
The last time I read the constitution it still contained the 5th amendment. If you think that you can explain what happened and everything will turn out just fine you are mistaken. In the end it is always our own words that convict us, whether we committed a crime or not. The police are very skilled at extracting information and twisting the truth.
I understand that there may be a few police officers who are trying to do good, but unfortunately they are part of a system that is corrupt. Prosecutors are a disgrace to our society, and public defenders aren’t any better. Prosecutors typically want to get as many convictions as they can to look good for the next election and keep their jobs or further their careers. The public defender's real job is to make sure that proper courtroom procedures are followed so when you are found guilty you will have no basis for an appeal. Most of the time the public defender will encourage the defendant to make a deal and plead guilty, not put up a defense. They are part of the system and the system has to keep moving. They don’t want to slow the system down by defending the truth. What a way to make a living.
Vindy, how about some details on this case. I have been following the story from outside the local area and I can't find any details. Do some reporting. This guy doesn't seem like your typical rapist. What's the story? Was this guy really guilty or is this a Duke Lacrosse case Mahoning Valley style? Was 43 years justified? I want some details.
Dew sentenced to 43-year term
Here is another great example of stellar police work in the Mahoning Valley. You people who live in the Youngstown area should be so proud.
http://vindy.com/news/2008/apr/08/jud...
Judge Frees Murder Suspect
Youngstown police switched shell casings from another crime to build their case, prosecutors said.
Judge Patricia A. Cosgrove of Summit County Common Pleas Court granted Peacock’s request, calling the compromised evidence “a situation that strikes at the very heart of our democracy and our justice system.
“When we can no longer believe that the police, law enforcement, are being truthful, it’s a very sad day for the justice system,” Judge Cosgrove added.
Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy F. Hughes did not return detailed messages seeking comment on the case.
Of course Jimmy has no comment.
Judge Cosgrove's statements are profound.
April 8, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Dew sentenced to 43-year term
mdjd,
Since you are a public defense lawyer, and I use the word "defense" loosely, tell us a bit about your experience as a lawyer with plea deals.
Here is my guess without even knowing you:
Settled Without a Trial: 97%
Trial: 3%
Am I close? Be honest with us. Are you a trial lawyer or a deal maker?
My bet is that you are a deal maker.
How often have you been ill-informed about your clients' cases and circumstances before advising them to take pleas offered by prosecutors at arraignment?
The system you are a part of is rotten. The Dew case is an example of a legal system gone bad. I can't say that he didn't do something immoral, but was he guilty of what he was sentenced for? 43 years without parole is a life sentence to a 46 year old man.
April 4, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Dew sentenced to 43-year term
The majority of police, prosecutors, public defenders, and judges are enemies of the people. They hide behind the judicial system and are cowards who believe they are above the law. They take advantage of the people in this country who do not understand their rights. They need to be reminded that "We The People" have given them their power.
I’m not sure how much longer our society will put up with this corruption, but I hope not much longer. We should all remember this poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemoller about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group: When the Nazis came for the communists, I remained silent; I was not a communist. When they locked up the social democrats, I remained silent; I was not a social democrat. When they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak out; I was not a trade unionist. When they came for the Jews, I remained silent; I wasn't a Jew. WHEN THEY CAME FOR ME, THERE WAS NO ONE LEFT TO SPEAK OUT.
April 4, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Dew sentenced to 43-year term
I share some of the same feelings as WJHilton. I also have read everything I could find concerning this case (which in my opinion has been very poorly reported by the Youngstown media), and have talked with people I know who live in the Youngstown area. I have come to the sad conclusion that the legal system has once again failed to punish according to the truth.
The results of this case are not surprising since we do not live in a society where justice is sought after in our legal system. Most people who are accused of a crime do not understand that our judicial system in the United States is no longer a "Justice System"; it has been turned into an "Adversarial System." The goal is not to seek justice or truth. The goal is to win a conviction at all costs.
I agree 100% with WJHilton. When we are accused of a crime in this country we are no longer innocent until proven guilty, we are guilty until we prove our innocence, and you better have very deep pockets to prove your innocence. It all comes down to the almighty dollar. We are a country by the people, for the people, especially for the RICH people.
We as a society in this country need to wake up and understand that the legal system has become corrupted, and that the police, government lawyers, and judges are not our friends. When we are under investigation, we should not talk to the police and incriminate ourselves. We need to learn to keep our mouths shut, even if we are innocent. We need to retain and claim our rights. We have NO obligation to talk to the police and incriminate ourselves.
The last time I read the constitution it still contained the 5th amendment. If you think that you can explain what happened and everything will turn out just fine you are mistaken. In the end it is always our own words that convict us, whether we committed a crime or not. The police are very skilled at extracting information and twisting the truth.
I understand that there may be a few police officers who are trying to do good, but unfortunately they are part of a system that is corrupt. Prosecutors are a disgrace to our society, and public defenders aren’t any better. Prosecutors typically want to get as many convictions as they can to look good for the next election and keep their jobs or further their careers. The public defender's real job is to make sure that proper courtroom procedures are followed so when you are found guilty you will have no basis for an appeal. Most of the time the public defender will encourage the defendant to make a deal and plead guilty, not put up a defense. They are part of the system and the system has to keep moving. They don’t want to slow the system down by defending the truth. What a way to make a living.
April 4, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Dew sentenced to 43-year term
Vindy, how about some details on this case. I have been following the story from outside the local area and I can't find any details. Do some reporting. This guy doesn't seem like your typical rapist. What's the story? Was this guy really guilty or is this a Duke Lacrosse case Mahoning Valley style? Was 43 years justified? I want some details.
April 1, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. permalink suggest removal