"Dr.L.D.Misek-Falkoff" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
:) Kathy, hi - I was a bit sorry to hear about the argument that having
Woodward as a volunteer would not be in the 'best interest' -- because
she has been through the justice system at this time and according to
the law she has served her time. I say this without reference to what
one might think 'should' have happened, and with definite reference to
what 'did' happen. The same with appeals; until and unless one side wins
the appeal,the status is that she has served her time, again, without
regard to whether one feels this was 'right or wrong'. Does anyone else
think this is reminiscent of (loosely used) social double jeopardy (used
metaphorically)?
But this idea of course could get into the matter of sex offenders being
identified (ex sex offenders at that point) to the community, after they
are released. Come to think of it, perhaps the two things are related.
What think you? :) LDMF
------------------------Kathy E wrote:---------------------------------
>
> Kathy E <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
> Prosecutors in the Louise Woodward case filed final court briefs
> Thursday, arguing for the reinstatement of a murder verdict for the
> British au pair found guilty in the death of a baby.
>
> In a separate action, the police chief of Marblehead, Mass. rejected
> Woodward's request to help at the seaside town's animal shelter.
> Woodward, who has been staying at her lawyer's home in the posh
> community, had volunteered to work at the shelter.
>
> But shelter volunteers require the approval of the local police chief.
> He rejected her bid saying that ``such approval would not be in the best
> interests of the Marblehead Police Department.''
>
> The prosecutors' filing followed a decision by Massachusetts' highest
> court to grant a rarely allowed motion to let lawyers in the case file
> what are known as ``post-argument'' briefs. The court is expected to
> hand down its decision in the next two to four months.
>
> The Supreme Judicial Court's decision to allow such arguments was the
> latest in a series of unusual events that have been a feature of this
> case, which has gained worldwide attention.
>
> A jury in October convicted Woodward, 20, of Elton, England, of
> second-degree murder in the death of 8-month old Matthew Eappen. The
> baby died of severe head injuries in February 1997.
>
> But trial Judge Hiller Zobel invoked a rarely used rule to set aside the
> jury's verdict. He found Woodward guilty of manslaughter and sentenced
> her to time served -- 279 days.
>
> Prosecutors argued before the Supreme Judicial Court Monday that Zobel
> abused his authority under the rule that gives him wide discretion. They
> are seeking to have the jury's verdict reinstated and to return Woodward
> to prison. The au pair's lawyers, in their post-argument papers,
> submitted material supporting previous arguments that medical evidence
> provided incontrovertible proof that baby Matthew's fatal injuries could
> not have been inflicted when the prosecution said they were.
>
> Massachusetts court officials said the seven justices were thinking
> about issuing their decision over the Internet. Judge Zobel tried to
> make his controversial decision only on the Internet, but a power
> failure short-circuited what would have been a legal first.
>
> ``The Supreme Court is just thinking about it,'' a spokeswoman for the
> high bench said. ``No decision has been made on that yet.''
> --
> Kathy E
> "I can only please one person a day, today is NOT your day, and tomorrow
> isn't looking too good for you either"
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