tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7152963.post113920365962046678..comments2023-10-20T05:03:10.942-04:00Comments on Indefensible: Shame on Josh MarquisUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7152963.post-1139333443992751702006-02-07T12:30:00.000-05:002006-02-07T12:30:00.000-05:00Because he does not operate in good faith, that is...Because he does not operate in good faith, that is why.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7152963.post-1139259182335576652006-02-06T15:53:00.000-05:002006-02-06T15:53:00.000-05:00Tom,I'll respond to the critique in the blog prope...Tom,<BR/>I'll respond to the critique in the blog proper, but as for the personal attack, if that's what you think, I'm afraid you don't know much about the world of publishing. If I sought to reach only those who agreed with me, my audience would be limited indeed. <BR/><BR/>So how about you read the book first before making pronouncements about it's premise or my financial interests?Indefensiblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06060635220496355426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7152963.post-1139232892707457082006-02-06T08:34:00.000-05:002006-02-06T08:34:00.000-05:00Nice try, but you haven't dented his argument. It...Nice try, but you haven't dented his argument. It would be more misleading to focus on one state like Illinois than on the broader statistics Marquis uses. <BR/><BR/>Moreover, guilty pleas should be part of the equation, since the question is how well does our system identify and convict the guilty. Guilty pleas are part and parcel of showing that the system works in that the police found the correct perpetrator, the prosecutor charged him with the correct offense, and the defense attorney and the client reached a conclusion that a guilty plea was in the client's best interest.<BR/><BR/>Besides, you have often argued that guilty pleas are often taken by people despite their factual innocence. You should, to be consistent, provide us with those numbers to support your assertion.<BR/><BR/>No, Marquis' point remains: the left cannot show that there is a systemic problem with convictions in this country. Indeed, given that the burden of proof in criminal cases is "beyond a reasonable doubt," we have made the choice that there will be <B><I>some</B></I> error rate. That it is so small is a testament to the functionality of the system.<BR/><BR/>I know it undercuts the premise of your book and that you therefore have a vested, finacial interest in hoping it is otherwise, but the <B><I>known facts</B></I> do not support your hysterical assertions.Tom McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10826579789878573864noreply@blogger.com