tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post8788257418510927692..comments2023-06-21T00:36:40.840-07:00Comments on Plead Ignorance: The Usual SuspectsRobert the Skeptichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-62764891244557539442011-06-30T20:09:29.481-07:002011-06-30T20:09:29.481-07:00Jayne It is so easy to make a mistake in identity,...<b>Jayne</b> It is so easy to make a mistake in identity, unless it is someone who is personally known to us. But it is a tragedy if an innocent person does the time for someone else's crime.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-7938593547255767262011-06-30T06:07:02.251-07:002011-06-30T06:07:02.251-07:00This is precisely why I believe we need to abolish...This is precisely why I believe we need to abolish the death penalty.<br />A few years back I had to go into the local PD to ID a guy who had stolen a deposit from us. He was a house painter who required a $2,000. deposit. He had been recommended by another painter and he seemed decent enough, still, I'd never given anyone a deposit like that, and I later realized why I was uncomfortable. <br /><br />At the police station, I was showed a book of photos with a row of the same light hair and light eyed gentlemen. I knew who the guy was immediately. But then, did I? Wait, this other guy looks like he could be the one... It was crazy, I was so afraid to finger the wrong guy. When I finally settled on my initial impression, I was told that the guy was a con artist and he'd cheated several people in the last few years, just as he did us. I felt better, but is was a nerve wracking experience.<br /><br />Very well done post, Robert.Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06694559900539722616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-70913272560471500152011-06-29T11:38:54.533-07:002011-06-29T11:38:54.533-07:00James Welcome, I love TechnoBabe's blog. Yes w...<b>James</b> Welcome, I love TechnoBabe's blog. Yes well we have already criminalized videotaping police while they are on duty. And the TSA is patting down 5 year olds and the elderly in wheel chairs. As you suggest, We should feel pretty safe by now, shouldn't we?Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-84254508458973393152011-06-29T10:23:20.292-07:002011-06-29T10:23:20.292-07:00We need not worry.
Eventually we will not need t...We need not worry. <br /><br />Eventually we will not need to remember anything. <br /><br />As the Total Information Awareness system continues to keep us safe by gathering everything that everybody has ever done; then matching that result to what we're doing now, our Protectors will, with incredible accuracy, be able to predict when something will happen. <br /><br />Not a crime, per se; that will be for later iterations of the system. Criminalizing everything will need to come first, but only after we are all totally assured that we are safe, you know, from the terrorists, who will be identified before they are radicalized, or not. <br /><br />(Nice place you got here. I found you over at my wife's (TechnoBabe) blog.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08295794524135726030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-4163066763466527382011-06-29T09:26:53.972-07:002011-06-29T09:26:53.972-07:00Gutsy I can as well, usually some social interacti...<b>Gutsy</b> I can as well, usually some social interaction is in play to help create memories. The chance encounter during the stress of a crime or casual contact might be more difficult. The only exception I can conceive is if the witness personally knows the identity of the accused from previous contact.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-56960243136876129982011-06-29T08:38:45.220-07:002011-06-29T08:38:45.220-07:00I can remember faces from 25 years ago, people I h...I can remember faces from 25 years ago, people I have had no contact with but their face is still clear even though it's 25 years older. But I'm sure that's different. Very interesting post though.Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Livinghttp://soniamarsh.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-12210604234688580222011-06-28T16:07:26.407-07:002011-06-28T16:07:26.407-07:00Billy Donno, the trial I sat on the jury for, the ...<b>Billy</b> Donno, the trial I sat on the jury for, the defense lawyer was his client's own worst enemy! I wanted to tell the counselor how he practically blew his client's case... but as you say, they get the big money, they're supposed to earn it.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-73952071163438290162011-06-28T15:45:50.549-07:002011-06-28T15:45:50.549-07:00i was on a jury and started daydreaming about 30 m...i was on a jury and started daydreaming about 30 minutes into the trial. i don't think my fellow jurors were rocket scientists either. i guess that's why good lawyers make big money, swaying the rubes.billy pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00128876723713271131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-8116296885421362422011-06-28T08:40:34.709-07:002011-06-28T08:40:34.709-07:00Actually having been on two juries, I now would ne...<b></b> Actually having been on two juries, I now would never depend on a jury to dispense justice either - accused of a crime I would take my chances in front of a judge alone. People really allow their emotions to guide themselves over the facts every time.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-2962962984854317442011-06-28T07:05:14.858-07:002011-06-28T07:05:14.858-07:00I wouldn't want my life to depend on an eye wi...I wouldn't want my life to depend on an eye witness report. People man mean well, and some do not, and relying in the hazy memory of a bunch of tv brainwashed slow wits is just stupid. The numbers show there are way too many people locked away who are truly innocent.CiCihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08615265608675467505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-5938976628177804572011-06-27T22:50:39.320-07:002011-06-27T22:50:39.320-07:00Nance There were some DA's offices that were i...<b>Nance</b> There were some DA's offices that were intentionally clearing out their evidence lockers and destroying potentially exculpatory DNA evidence. Reprehensible. Still there are criminals who ask for the DNA tests knowing fully well that they are guilty of the crime. One has to wonder what that is about? <br /><br /><b>Cryptos</b> I am amazed how many surveillance videos are so blurry and out of focus. On some of those images I find it difficult to believe one could identify anyone with certainty.<br /><br /><b>Adrielle</b> Ah, that is why they have "photo radar" which they can then mail you the picture of the pretty woman without makeup behind the wheel along with a summons and bail amount.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-4693220671966960962011-06-27T19:20:10.262-07:002011-06-27T19:20:10.262-07:00I'm pretty sure I'd be a crap witness - I ...I'm pretty sure I'd be a crap witness - I might remember the .... yah, nope. Plus cops make me nervous anyway, not sure why LOL! The worst crime I commit is speeding (regularly). I blame it on my genetic lead foot... ;)adrielleroyalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15330513833416071176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-82923049836402249862011-06-27T18:31:47.207-07:002011-06-27T18:31:47.207-07:00Our facial recognition is actually not that great....Our facial recognition is actually not that great. In a moment of stress, it's even worse.<br /><br />This is the one positive aspect that has come out of the watchful eyes of cameras and cell phones.Antares Cryptoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12197876328401157462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-19804816414276644672011-06-27T18:07:06.440-07:002011-06-27T18:07:06.440-07:00This is a well-researched piece and a well-documen...This is a well-researched piece and a well-documented phenomenon that police officers and the courts are well familiar with. I, of course, am entirely immune to such foibles;^) <br /><br />Cognitive Diss, I was sorry to read last week (where was it, Scientific American? No, The Atlantic?) that there are a handful of cases that foiled the Innocence Project with false positives. They are still such an important corrective. <br /><br />Crime numbers in the US have gone down steadily in the period that's seen growing reliance on DNA testing, but I have no idea how those things might correlate. Malcolm Gladwell did not refer to this in his speculation about violent crime rates, so I'd be very interested in seeing something about it, if you're in research mode, Robert.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166865250789996825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-29241221920109440262011-06-27T14:46:02.098-07:002011-06-27T14:46:02.098-07:00Dissenter The Innocence Project has done GREAT wor...<b>Dissenter</b> The Innocence Project has done GREAT work. That ALONE should be the greatest argument against Capital Punishment.<br /><br /><b>Kay</b> Oh I write stuff down, then <a href="http://pleadignorance.blogspot.com/2010/08/forgetfulness-is-sign-of-uh.html" rel="nofollow">THIS</a> happens to me.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-84447045327282571892011-06-27T14:40:23.983-07:002011-06-27T14:40:23.983-07:00This is an extremely important issue. Especially i...This is an extremely important issue. Especially in cases where the death penalty is at stake. It is very common indeed for those of different races to be unable to identify each other. "They all look alike to me" is a very dangerous situation for those accused of a crime. I am not a fan of universal DNA collection, but in some cases, DNA evidence is more helpful for the defense than the prosecution.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-71810302553574792392011-06-27T13:17:55.256-07:002011-06-27T13:17:55.256-07:00At this point in my life, my memory has become a t...At this point in my life, my memory has become a tad unreliable so I try to write important stuff down asap. <br />One never know when one will need it.Kay Dennisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02646717192332313215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-67967266448972473052011-06-27T10:30:44.186-07:002011-06-27T10:30:44.186-07:00This is such an important topic. The Innocence Pr...This is such an important topic. The Innocence Project has exonerated over 200 individuals mostly via DNA evidence; and most of those innocent people were convicted because of eyewitness testimony. The last time I checked the Innocent Project's website, 17 individuals were exonerated ... after they were executed for the crimes they did not commit.<br /><br />And judges are routinely persuaded by prosecutors (at least around here) to keep expert testimony regarding the unreliability of eyewitness identification out of trial. Sometimes we wonder if justice isn't merely blind, but if it's even the goal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-27087302603735808642011-06-27T09:53:56.112-07:002011-06-27T09:53:56.112-07:00Orhan Is that a good thiing or a bad thing?
DJan ...<b>Orhan</b> Is that a good thiing or a bad thing?<br /><br /><b>DJan</b> We have been brought up to accept "Seeing is Believing" but as I have tried to demonstrate, the clearly is not true. We can mis-perceive and misinterpret what we "think" we see quite easily.<br /><br /><b>Paul</b> True, but mostly witnesses are motivated to see that "justice is done". In doing so they may try a little to hard toward that end rather than be purely objective - a difficult task for most people in general.Robert the Skeptichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10863488312604865183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-90281783855761502822011-06-27T08:06:59.776-07:002011-06-27T08:06:59.776-07:00Justice is supposed to be blind. Often it seems th...Justice is supposed to be blind. Often it seems that witnesses are as well.Paulhttp://ShadowofDiogenes.blogs.com/shadow/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-48192243416760729122011-06-27T06:02:10.962-07:002011-06-27T06:02:10.962-07:00I have been burned again and again by my memory ma...I have been burned again and again by my memory making up things that feel and seem as real as if they had happened. I simply cannot imagine why eyewitness testimony is given such credence. I'm sure that law enforcement knows it too; they just want to put SOMEBODY away. Who cares if it's the actual perp?<br /><br />I read about those people who traveled the country making presentations. Awesome.DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8095807065479059898.post-14364484094362401142011-06-27T04:17:40.802-07:002011-06-27T04:17:40.802-07:00...he and the victim together went on tour through...<i>...he and the victim together went on tour throughout the country giving talks about the dangers and unreliability of eyewitness testimony.</i><br /><br />Only in America!Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16888125796129754219noreply@blogger.com