Remorse
By TheRealDawn
@dawnald (85146)
Shingle Springs, California
July 15, 2010 12:33pm CST
This one has been on my mind a long, long time...
You watch court dramas that point to a defendant with a very stoic face and the prosecutor says, "look at them, no remorse at all." Or you read about a real life situation like that.
Well everybody reacts to things differently. Some of us keep poker faces on so as not to let the rest of the world see our emotions. Does that mean that we're sitting there snickering inside and hoping to get away with something?
Heck think of it the other way around. Somebody is accused of a crime and they sit there and blubber through the entire trial. Is that proof of remorse? For all you know, they could just be sorry that they were caught. Or they could be putting on a big old act trying to make the jury feel sorry for them.
Really, I know the prosecutor is just doing their job, but does it annoy you when they profess to know what the defendant was thinking and/or feeling?
How much would the defendant's demeanor affect your vote? How much would the prosecution's theatrics (or the defense's for that matter) affect your vote? Or do you think you could stick strictly to the evidence that was presented?
And if you are going to stick to the evidence anyway, what is the point of the whole drama at the end in which the defense tries to get you to sympathize with the defendant and the prosecution tries to make you dislike them?
Remember this case:
http://www.wolfsongalaska.org/wild_canids_mystery.htm
The mother's demeanor during the trial supposedly had a lot to do with her being convicted of murdering her child. This is the case that started this whole train of thought, btw.
4 people like this
8 responses
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jul 10
that's such a mysterious and sad story...and if that really happened to her, i hope that lady gets vindicated of it all...
and you sound like you just got called up for jury duty or something 
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Jul 10
No, I was reading a newspaper article about a woman who had to do 150 hours of community service. She had made a lane change that caused an accident that got somebody killed. It wasn't malicious, she just didn't see the other car. I was wondering what my demeanor would be in court in that situation.
@mario_stevens (6971)
• Malaysia
15 Jul 10
and i hope nothing like that happens to you 
but if it does happen in fantasy land, i think you might need to bring along a couple of emoticons from here to help you out.. 
but if it does happen in fantasy land, i think you might need to bring along a couple of emoticons from here to help you out.. 1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Jul 10
hi yes Dawnald I think I could stick strickly to the evidence but
still I think one is supposed to weigh the statements made by all the
witnesses and judge as nearly as you can which if telling the truth
and which is patently lying their heads off. I know from personal
experience that a dog or a coyote can and have carried off small babies.
so I think maybe the woman was indeed telling the truth.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Jul 10
Whoops, somehow I missed your response.
I think I could do a pretty good job of sticking to the facts. My problem, if anything, would be feeling sorry for every sob story that came along, and not being really good at determining which ones were fake. But if I stick to the evidence, I don't have to deal with that problem.
1 person likes this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
15 Jul 10
Hi Dawn. Good topic. I guess there will always be drama in a court room. I'm sure all witnesses, especially the accused, are well groomed in behaviour and appearances by their counsels. If I was on a jury I would find it difficult to ignore body language but really only factual evidence presented should be considered.
Have you seen the movie Hostile Witness with Sam Waterson and Ron Leibman? It is a court room drama where a Palestinian is charged with the murder of American tourists in a terrorist attack. I know it is only fiction, but it is fascinating and full of emotions and intellectual arguments.
1 person likes this
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
15 Jul 10
The DVD was in the $2 specials at Woolworths Big W - well worth watching. Even my hubby liked it and he doesn't like movies.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Jul 10
Hm, I wonder if they take recommendations....
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Jul 10
Well as somebody else pointed out, the attorneys are going to do what it takes to make their case, including drama, if they think it's necessary and can get away with it.
I haven't seen Hostile Witness. I found it on Amazon.com, but they don't have it on NetFlix. :-(
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Jul 10
I think the jury was on the fence and the woman's demeanor influenced which way they went...
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
15 Jul 10
Dawn-
I remember the movie better than I remember the actual case to be honest. I think that's what hollywood does to such cases. They sensationalize them, that we forget the facts. I'm not sure how anyone could base a case solely on the "looks" of the person being convicted. That's not evidence. Evidence is hard core facts that substantiate the claim. If they have nothing, then I don't think there could be a conviction. In this case, there was more evidence against her then for her. It is sad those who knew didn't come forth, but I cannot fault the justice system in the ruling. I can only fault those who didn't do what was right.
Though we've much to improve upon in our legal system, I do feel for the most part it is as best as it can be for now. I'm pretty sure most cases are not simply based upon the physical response of a person in the court room.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Jul 10
I know she was convicted on the basis of the evidence, but I do also recall that a big deal was made of her demeanor at the time. I wonder how much that influenced the jury. Hopefully, not much. I sure would hate to be convicted of a crime I didn't commit because I happen to be one of those people who don't let their emotions show much. But there I go worrying about something that will probably never happen. :D
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
16 Jul 10
Dawn-
I can't imagine you ever being convicted or brought up on charges of such a thing, so no worries is best. However, you bring up a good point that body language can be terribly misread especially if said expressions are not a part of the person's make up.
Alice-
I'm doing very well thanks! And yes, it does bother me that our justic system could some how go awol and we end up convicting people on such things. I just try not to think about it.
However, you bring up a good point that body language can be terribly misread especially if said expressions are not a part of the person's make up.
Alice-
I'm doing very well thanks! And yes, it does bother me that our justic system could some how go awol and we end up convicting people on such things. I just try not to think about it. 1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
18 Jul 10
Like you say, I also think that everybody reacts to shock differently. Some may become catatonic, and would look like unremorseful to others. They may show a blank expression, but their emotions are all twisted inside.
Still, I need to believe that a jury would base their decision on evidence. That's why they go through a process to get selected. That they are somehow capable of making unbiased decisions.
I don't envy their jobs.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
18 Jul 10
I don't envy them either. So far I have managed NOT to get on a jury, but it's just a matter of time I suppose.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
15 Jul 10
I don't know if I would be in tears, but I do know I'd be stuffing my emotions into a box somewhere and not letting them out if there were any way I could prevent it.
