Professor and blogger Bill Anderson has another “good one” up. This one begins:
While the State of North Carolina continues to insist that Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty, and David Evans kidnapped and sexually assaulted Crystal Gail Mangum on the night/morning of March 13-14, 2006, the state actually is ignoring real crimes that its own agents and agents of the City of Durham have committed.Bill then presents documentation and case history to support what he’s saying.
“Read it all,” as Glenn Reynolds says.
3 comments:
Bill Anderson points the way. Can citizens take action if the legal system is corrupt?
A grand jury does is not restricted to only what a DA wants them to investigate to make a determination of whether or not to return a true bill. They can take it upon themselves to look into anything they think may be criminal.
Two problems they have little investigative ability without police cooperation. This makes it difficult to know which witnesses to call in an ordinary criminal investigation. That's one. Two is that grand jury members usually serve in secret without the public knowing who is empaneled and they are usually under instruction not to reveal their involvement while they serve, and they are always prohibited from talking outside their meetings about their investigations.
This makes it extremely difficult for a citizen to approach and ask them to look into something.
However, in this case, all the facts are mostly known and all the players have had their identities exposed. Ergo, it would be much less difficult due to the unique way this case has unfolded , for the Grand Jury to know who to subpoena for their testimony.
That solves their major problem if they were so inclined, but it doesn't help the citizen get them to take action if he knows not who sits in the panel.
However, there could be public appeals. Ads, commercials, flyers, even wanted posters,with justice being wanted, all these methods could be a plea or request or demand that the Grand Jury take action against the criminals.
Believe it or not, they may not be aware of their ability to initiate their own investigations. Judges do not like juries that know their powers and duties. That is an absolute. So you may need to publicize their powers so the panel are aware of what they can do.
My statement about judges preferring ignorant juries is accurate, but please do not get sidetracked on that. We can talk about it another time and I will be happy to discuss it. Right now, you guys in the area need to educate your grand jury as to what they have the power to do, which will be difficult, if like most places they are anonymous.
While doing that, they need to be informed of what you wish them to do. They live there too, you know. They may not be any more accepting of this travesty than any of the good people are. They just may not be aware of their power and the public's idea of their duty.
Anyway, good luck. All I have encouraged is admittedly a longshot, but sometimes it the only shot you get.
If nothing else can be done, refer to the second amendment of the Constitution. That is exactly why it is there.
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