Pubdate: Sat, 30 Nov 2002 Source: Traverse City Record-Eagle (MI) Copyright: 2002 The Traverse City Record-Eagle Contact: http://www.record-eagle.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1336 Author: Boyd C. Baird Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n000/a232.html Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2097/a04.html Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n000/a231.html LYNCH-MOB MENTALITY? Has the pillorying of Judge Gilbert been the result of his "puffing on a joint," or his candid admission of it and cooperation with public officials? What if he had remained silent and waited for official prosecution? Who would be the complaining witness? Would cross-examination produce some embarrassment if not self-incriminatory statements from prosecutorial witnesses? How would a jury vote? There is no question but that his conduct has been an embarrassment to all of us who are members of the local legal profession, judges and lawyers alike. As victims of the offense all members of the local legal profession are disqualified from sitting in judgment of the case. Has the "trial by newspaper" honored our concept of due process or reflected justice and mercy, or lynch mob mentality? Boyd C. Baird Traverse City - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens