Tuesday, October 21, 2003
The case for Kobe Bryant: Unfair defense?
This article in the National Review looks at the tactics of Kobe Bryant's defense attorney during the preliminary hearing, and finds them not just inappropriate behavior but also a sign of deteriorating protections for victims in the criminal justice system.
Monday, October 20, 2003
British public will be stunned by police
Some figuratively, quite a few literally:
The figurative shock comes from the fact that something is used at all:
I would be curious to know what Amnesty International suggests as an alternative.
Stun guns which can paralyse potentially violent suspects with a 50,000-volt charge could be issued as standard equipment in every police car in Britain from next year.
Forces around the country are expected to deploy the weapons, known as tasers, after the completion of trials in April.
The figurative shock comes from the fact that something is used at all:
In Britain, taser use has been tightly regulated with each incident referred to the Police Complaints Authority. However, there are concerns that they could cause heart attacks and miscarriages. Amnesty International is calling for international suspension of all electric shock technology until more research has been done. Research shows that, in the US, around 40 per cent of people who have been struck with tasers and other "less lethal" weapons have been shot in the chest area which could result in serious injury or death.
All five forces involved in the British taser trials said no one had been injured and that they were pleased with the outcome of the tests.
I would be curious to know what Amnesty International suggests as an alternative.
