Here’s some déjà vu for you — earlier Monday we did a post on CNN legal analyst and Justice Department alumna Laura Coates giving her expert analysis of the defense wrapping up its case in the Derek Chauvin trial. The defense, you see, was defining “reasonable doubt” for the jury … think about that.
Defense begins the closing by defining reasonable doubt, not with why #DerekChauvin is innocent. Think about that. #DerekChauvinTrial#GeorgeFloyd
— Laura Coates (@thelauracoates) April 19, 2021
It was only nine minutes later that NBC News legal analyst and 30-year federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner fell upon the same idea: the defense was going on a “long-winded discussion” about crazy things like “presumption of innocence” and “reasonable doubt.”
When you have NO compelling facts/evidence supporting your defense, you start with a long-winded discussion of legal principles like presumption of innocence & proof beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s how defense attorney Nelson started his closing argument. This is a tell …
— Glenn Kirschner (@glennkirschner2) April 19, 2021
TL,DR: “I’m an idiot”.
— 100 Proof ? (@ChampionCapua) April 19, 2021
Yes Glenn, this is a tell.
Your respect for the Bill of Rights is ABSENT.#Repugnant
— J.G. Petruna (@jgpetruna) April 19, 2021
Now he's explaining what lawyers do for a living. Ooooffff.
— Sheeple4Science (@Sheeple4Science) April 19, 2021
"supporting your defense" – another cable news legal hack that wants to peddle misinformation.
THE GOVERNMENT BEARS THE BURDEN OF PROOF. YOU DON'T NEED A DEFENSE TO BE ACQUITTED.
Glenn is also a former DOJ prosecutor. https://t.co/dbBc1VW7hi
— LB (@beyondreasdoubt) April 19, 2021
I am genuinely growing concerned about the health of our legal system.
— Dianny ?? (@DiannyRants) April 19, 2021
That's two former DOJ lawyers showing their backsides on this today
— Allan (@AllanRicharz) April 19, 2021
This is the second “legal analyst” today to find it abnormal that defense attorneys might try to establish reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors, rather than prove innocence.
Where the hell do the networks find these people? https://t.co/qCcwzr3zUS
— Michael Haugen (@HaugenTX) April 19, 2021
This is embarrassing. https://t.co/YUk3b189Lq
— Andy Grewal (@AndyGrewal) April 19, 2021
I don't know what will happen in Chauvin trial … based on my limited viewing, I think a full acquittal is entirely possible … if that happens, these cable news clowns will have done little but misinform the public and inflame tensions.
— Andy Grewal (@AndyGrewal) April 19, 2021
When you start your defense by discussing the features of the American Justice system that provide protections for the accused you're a scoundrel was a take I wasn't expecting to read today.
— Nathaniel Wright and History (@NateAndHist) April 19, 2021
Keep "discussion of legal principles like presumption of innocence & proof beyond a reasonable doubt" out of the courts!!!!!
That's no place for them……
— Gʀᴇɢ.Oʀʏᴇʟ. (@Greg_Oryel) April 19, 2021
So presumption of innocence is now nothing more than a legal tactic. Good to know. Might as well pack up and go to Russia now.
— Thomas Crescenzi (@CrescenziThomas) April 19, 2021
A terrifying number of onlookers are openly opposing the presumption of innocence in law. This trend seems to have started during the #metoo movement. The scary thing is, if juries want to, they can simply disregard that presumption and think the way this guy does
— stupid idiot (@stuuupid_idiot) April 19, 2021
We see what you're doing here. You're trying to get Chauvin convicted in the court of public opinion, where the standard of "reasonable doubt" doesn't necessarily apply, so that, in case Chauvin is not fully convicted, the riots that follow can be blamed on the "racist" jury. https://t.co/ij5BQ3ineI
— Small Metal Owl (@SmallMetalOwl) April 19, 2021
No part of me wants to defend Derek Chauvin and what he did but what in the hell is this nonsense. https://t.co/bgjoB9RCTc
— Seth Daniels (@jsethd) April 19, 2021
How are there so many very dumb former prosecutors? https://t.co/e40vgdSpRV
— Adam W. (@askbeez07) April 19, 2021
As @varadmehta has said, President DeSantis needs to pardon every single person that Glenn Kirschner ever prosecuted on day 1. https://t.co/ar0RvbH2Xs
— Max Nardou (@MaxNordau) April 19, 2021
@BadLegalTakes https://t.co/y2AqnT3Sxw
— G. Scott Shand ? (@GScottShand) April 19, 2021
Related:
CNN senior legal analyst (and DOJ alumna!) Laura Coates’ take on Derek Chauvin trial shows she has zero business being a senior legal analyst https://t.co/JqgC5m13Px
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) April 19, 2021