The jibe about how DAs can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich was uttered by a former chief judge of New York state, Sol Wachtler. Now the progressives want to make ham sandwiches out of the cops in addition to the rest of us. <\/p>\n
The rush is on in Albany for a law that would require appointment of a special prosecutor whenever a police officer kills an unarmed civilian. You could have Zeus for your local DA; a special prosecutor would still be required. <\/p>\n
This brainstorm is being hawked by the leftist politicians after a grand jurys failure to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner. A similar law was also proposed in Missouri, after the fatal police shooting in Ferguson. <\/p>\n
In Albany the measure is being readied by Assemblymen Karim Camara (D-Brooklyn) and Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx). This is a watershed moment, New York Citys public advocate, Letitia James, told the Associated Press this week. <\/p>\n
Its clear that the system is broken, James says. The New York Times has come unglued over the issue, saying there is a crisis of confidence in prosecutors. The gist of the complaint is that grand juries so seldom indict police officers. <\/p>\n
But what is a grand jury, anyhow? <\/p>\n
My favorite definition is that a grand jury is a right, one designed to protect individuals from mob justice. At least in America and New York state, it is a right that inheres in all persons who are accused of a capital or otherwise infamous crime. <\/p>\n
That language is from the Fifth Amendment, which is part of the Bill of Rights. No person, the amendment says, shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury. <\/p>\n
Similar phrasing exists in New Yorks Constitution, whose grand-jury protection is among the strongest in the country. <\/p>\n
It doesnt say that no person shall answer for an infamous crime unless on indictment by a grand jury except for cops. It says no person period. <\/p>\n
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Visit link: The jibe about how DAs can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich was uttered by a former chief judge of New York state, Sol Wachtler. Continue reading
\nGrand idea behind the grand jury<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"