In news that shows that justice does not exist...

[soleiltropiques]

Most Senior Police Officer In Freddie Gray Case Is Found Not Guilty Of Manslaughter

Comments

[shanrina]

raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaage

[ladycyndra]

I hate everything

[scolaro]

Police gets away with choking and shooting people to death, some of it on tape, so this verdict is sad, but not surprising. One thing that I found odd, though, was "A third officer, who was actually the first to go on trial, saw a mistrial declared in December after the jury couldn't reach a verdict. That officer is set to be re-tried later this year."

I thought if there's a mistrial the DA has to introduce new evidence in order to start another trial, otherwise the defendant gets off. Is that what happened here?

[soleiltropiques]

"Police gets away with choking and shooting people to death, some of it on tape, so this verdict is sad, but not surprising."

Very true.

"I thought if there's a mistrial the DA has to introduce new evidence in order to start another trial, otherwise the defendant gets off. Is that what happened here?"

I'm certainly not a lawyer so I could be wrong here (+ not American either, LOL), but from what I read in response to your question, the U.S. Supreme Court has long held that the fifth amendment does not bar retrial following a mistrial as a result of a hung jury.

http://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=9432&context=penn_law_review

If anyone more knowledgeable wants to correct me, go ahead, LOL. :)

[moonshaz]

I'm not a lawyer and far from an expert, just a true crime buff and trial watcher. And my understanding is that if a mistrial is declared due to a hung jury, then yes, retrial is definitely permissible.

[scolaro]

Thank you! I wasn't sure about that.

[amyura]

And the crowd at the GOP convention cheered like crazy when this was announced.

[sweetmizre]

It was sickening

[soleiltropiques]

Really? That's just... OMG.

[moonshaz]

It was incredibly gross. *shudders*