c_hawkbob wrote:I absolutely hate people getting off on technicalities. Adjudicate the case on the merits of the case, not on the relative performance of the defense team vs the prosecution team. This is supposed to be justice, not a damn sport.
Just playing Devil's Advocate here as I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you. I honestly don't know how to react as I can see both sides.
First of all, the most damaging evidence in Cosby's trial was his own admission of drugging women that he was pursuing for sex. If it is true that Cosby was under the impression that he was giving such testimony with the understanding that it would not be used against him in a criminal trial, then using it would be against his Constitutional rights against self incrimination. As despicable as his acts are, there is a rule of law that has to be followed. I don't see that as a
"technicality". It's part of the Bill of Rights.
Secondly, Cosby's sentence was 3-10 years. He was sentenced in September of 2018, so he's already served nearly all of the minimum range, so it's hard to claim that he's
"getting off". Plus there's the humiliation factor that isn't present with guys like you and me. Before the trial, he was one of the most respected, idolized figures in Hollywood. Now his name is chit. The overturning of his conviction won't change that.
Third, part of the rationale behind incarceration for crimes like sexual assault is the protection of the public from a menace. Cosby turns 84 in a couple of weeks and is not much of a threat to the public. There's not too many 84 year old active sexual predators out there.
On the flip side, even though Cosby has admitted to drugging women in order to have sex with them, he has never expressed even a hint of remorse for his actions, let alone apologize to any of his victims. A person like that doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt.