OT - former girls basketball coach pleads not guilty

[Mark Padgett]

What is it about HS basketball coaches around Portland?

Ex-Reynolds High School girls basketball coach pleads not guilty to sex-abuse | OregonLive.com

[Judtech]

This is unfortunately a too familiar story.

[Adam]

Without knowing the details of this particular case, let me just say this; I wish they'd refrain from broadcasting these suspects until they're found guilty. Merely being charged with this crime, when publicized like this, comes with societal punishments that are irreversible.
Now, even if a jury comes back and says he's not guilty, those in the community will forever think he's guilty.
This guy may well be as guilty as sin, but my problem is it won't actually matter.
Rhetorical question: How many of us had him convicted and sentenced in our opinions based simply on the headline Mark posted?

[Anchor]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Without knowing the details of this particular case, let me just say this; I wish they'd refrain from broadcasting these suspects until they're found guilty. Merely being charged with this crime, when publicized like this, comes with societal punishments that are irreversible.
Now, even if a jury comes back and says he's not guilty, those in the community will forever think he's guilty.
This guy may well be as guilty as sin, but my problem is it won't actually matter.
Rhetorical question: How many of us had him convicted and sentenced in our opinions based simply on the headline Mark posted?

A very sensible perspective. Thanks for "venting."

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Anchor

A very sensible perspective. Thanks for "venting."

I see that point, yet, the publication of the accusations in these types of cases often leads to more victims coming forward....without which the accused just might be found not guilty due to a lack of proof and go free and appear not guilty.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I see that point, yet, the publication of the accusations in these types of cases often leads to more victims coming forward....without which the accused just might be found not guilty due to a lack of proof and go free and appear not guilty.

Camron, I hadn't considered that angle, thanks. There's a trade off regardless, however. How many ruined innocent lives are worth a single conviction that would be aided by such publication? As long as innocent verdicts are ignored by the public, I still think we should refrain from publicizing those accused of these crimes.

I'm not aware of other types of crimes where we publicize an accused person with the hopes of getting other victims to come forward in the hopes of more evidence for a conviction.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Camron, I hadn't considered that angle, thanks. There's a trade off regardless, however. How many ruined innocent lives are worth a single conviction that would be aided by such publication? As long as innocent verdicts are ignored by the public, I still think we should refrain from publicizing those accused of these crimes.

I'm not aware of other types of crimes where we publicize an accused person with the hopes of getting other victims to come forward in the hopes of more evidence for a conviction.

All charges are public, regardless of the crime. Which ones the media, or Mark, chooses to spotlight vary.

I don't think they are necessarily publicized with that goal in mind....just that it makes good ratings for the news outlets.

And I fully agree that a ruined innocent life is not worth a few convictions. And that is the basis of our system. The odds are strongly stacked in favor of the alleged criminal....and many get off (or are back on the streets too early) because we value protecting the innocent over punishing the guilty.