robert pickton guilty

didnt see that coming.

[impure]

link some sources avana!
come on, i'm way too lazy to look myself.

[KrisisID]

[sarcasm] that's outrageous [/sarcasm]

Google

[A-BOMB]

........

[impure]

Originally Posted by Avana

Google

omg, wow!
that site is amazing!

[sNyx]

myass - Google Search

[Onizuka]

What is amazing is that it isn't first degree murder... I am not too familiar with the law but from what I gather second degree means it was done in the "heat of the moment" or it isn't premeditated. I can't see how repeated murder over the years isn't premeditated! Of course I do not know the evidence that was presented, but from a common sense standpoint it seems a bit odd that it wasn't categorized as planned.

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by Onizuka

I am not too familiar with the law

Originally Posted by Onizuka

Of course I do not know the evidence that was presented,

then maybe you should stfu?


It's second degree because they could not prove first degree "beyond a reasonable doubt"

common sense has little to do with law and the way the courts work. If you can't completely and unequivocally prove that someone did something, then it doesn't matter what it seems like. you must have proof

[Alex]

from the reading i've done the defence put up a good fight. Maybe even an appeal because of the Judge's slip up.

[Gusto]

"Williams told the jury they have choices when it comes to the verdict -- if members feel the evidence isn't enough to convict of first-degree murder, they can convict on lesser charges for each, or all, of the six counts.

Williams also advised the jury:

Pickton should be found guilty of manslaughter if they only conclude he killed the women.
It would jump to second-degree murder if they decide he meant to cause their deaths.
If the jurors find the act was planned and deliberate, they can convict him of first-degree murder.
Williams said jurors can find Pickton guilty even if they think other people took part -- a significant instruction because defence lawyers singled out three other people they alleged were behind the murders instead of Pickton." CTV.ca | Families anxiously await verdict in Pickton trial

he's also awaiting a second trial where he'll face another 20 counts of first degree murder, so they can't talk about the evidence yet.

[impure]

did he plea down?

[Onizuka]

Originally Posted by dabbler

then maybe you should stfu?

Dude you need to relax. Besides it is Beyond REASONABLE Doubt not UNEQUIVOCAL doubt. There is a big difference between 100% certainty and a reasonable doubt.

I don't need someone to tell me to STFU just because I am stating shock and my opinion, so fuck you...

[dabbler]

yeah well I actually read everything I found about the trial, and have followed what proof they had. don't get me wrong, I understand that it seems likely or should be obvious that he did it, but they didn't have any truly credible witnesses saying they saw him do anything. Given the judge's mistake and the evidence I've heard and how a lot of people get off on technicalities, I'm surprised (and glad) to hear that he was found guilty of anything over manslaughter

Originally Posted by dabbler

yeah well I actually read everything I found about the trial, and have followed what proof they had. don't get me wrong, I understand that it seems likely or should be obvious that he did it, but they didn't have any truly credible witnesses saying they saw him do anything. Given the judge's mistake and the evidence I've heard and how a lot of people get off on technicalities, I'm surprised (and glad) to hear that he was found guilty of anything over manslaughter

good thing you had that opportunity to read everything regarding the trial, cody hasnt had that chance since he has lived in japan for the last 2 years. how about some stfu?

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by Onizuka

"heat of the moment"

"manslaughter"

[Gusto]

they have the internet in japan. :P

[tiedye]

Originally Posted by Gusto

they have the internet in japan. :P

Really? I had always thought they were a little behind the times over there. . .

[b0ld]

with the verdict in with just the 6 cases alone. Its essentially a life sentence. I don't see what the point would be if they do infact continue to to have another trial for the 20 other women. As far as I am concerned they should of tried him for all the victims in one shot. But it seems like the government wants to just spend the taxpayers money even more to have another trial that will conclude into something that we already know now... He will spend the life behind bars...

With the amount of money that has already been spent on this trial.. it makes you wonder how that type of money could of been used to help these women get off the street and eventually get help.

[dabbler]

^^ you want to split up the charges in case of a mistrial or a successful appeal process. It gives you a second chance to convict someone to make sure they stay behind bars.



Also, yes the cost is huge so if you haven't got all your evidence ready yet (which is costly as well) for the next 20 charges its better to delay

[Onizuka]

Originally Posted by b0ld

with the verdict in with just the 6 cases alone. Its essentially a life sentence. I don't see what the point would be if they do infact continue to to have another trial for the 20 other women. As far as I am concerned they should of tried him for all the victims in one shot. But it seems like the government wants to just spend the taxpayers money even more to have another trial that will conclude into something that we already know now... He will spend the life behind bars...

With the amount of money that has already been spent on this trial.. it makes you wonder how that type of money could of been used to help these women get off the street and eventually get help.

I suppose the amount of evidence would have been too great to prove an extra 20 women in a single case. However, again another disclaimer(cuz i don't like getting my head chewed off), I am not entirely sure. But one reason that he should be tried (not from a legal standpoint) is that the families of the victims may be able to find some sort of closure.

And regarding the difference between 2nd and 1st degree is that he potentially maybe eligible for parole in 10 years rather than 25 minimum that comes with a 1st degree murder charge.

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by dabbler

they didn't have any truly credible witnesses saying they saw him do anything.

This was obviously a big part of the defense's case.. but I'm glad the second degree murder charges stuck to Pickton despite the questionable character of the main witnesses.

I mean really... Should Pickton be absolved because he hung around with dodgy people? Of COURSE there weren't any credible witnesses.. some respected, drug-free lawyer or doctor or other upstanding member of society wasn't going to head over to Willy's pig farm to crack a couple of cold ones and shoot the breeze, and maybe pick up a hooker or two.

Only associating with addicts should not be a handy escape clause should you ever decide to murder people.

[ebbomega]

I imagine the interrogation videos had a lot to do with it. I know the defence was trying to imply that he was just telling them what they wanted to hear, but I don't know if they really gave any good reason why he would do that.

Then again, I wasn't a juror and IANAL so I don't exactly know.

I would have been surprised if they managed to get a first-degree murder decision. One thing that was completely ambiguous was motive or intent. Then again, maybe that might surface on the other 20 charges.

[dabbler]

unfortunately he may get off in the end of they declare a mistrial because of the judges mistake. Anyone who knows better, please pipe in but I'm fairly certain a mistrial means they can try him once more but only if they can find enough jurors who have never heard the story in the media before. As that is unlikely, then one mistrial might mean him getting off on the first 6 charges. Its obvious that he was definitely involved in all of the murders but without a "smoking gun" witness and proper DNA evidence first degree is difficult to prove. I hope the jury recommends life sentence with no possibility of parole.

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by Onizuka

But one reason that he should be tried (not from a legal standpoint) is that the families of the victims may be able to find some sort of closure.

Definitely