South African murder trial - why televise?

[ricohflex]

It is a murder trial. Prosecution and defence counsel go through their paces. Witnesses give their statements.
So what if the accused was an athlete? He should be treated just like any other South African citizen.
Should not televise the trial. This is not a TV entertainment reality show. A woman was killed.

Should not depend on witnesses to determine guilt. Did the South African police bungle the forensic investigation?

 

[carly]

Regardless of whether he's convicted or acquitted, the courts/police/government might want to show that they are fully transparent and that the legal system is "fair" and not hidden behind a veil of secrecy?

 

[one eye jack]

Law and justice systems differ country by country which western style dominates since it's a
globalised world.FYI Singapore did away with trial by jury because it was all too easy foe a good lawyer to argue persuasively and emotionally charging the crowd.Now it's the judge who solely
determine the outcome with the evidence of prosecution and witnesses.

You are asking why, is a long story perhaps taking things at face value.Who actually owns the media?
Understanding the history of South Africa ( Apartheid )you can appreciate why this trail is important
because now a white man is charged for murder. The black majority wants to see justice and transparency.

If you have followed the case, the white officer in charge of investigation withdrew himself
from the case.So we will never know what really transpired or why.The law is not perfect.Western idea
is that a crime has been committed by an individual against society so it is fair that members of the
public decide his innocence or guilt.

Only just recently here,the HK law professor convicted of sex for grades charge won his appeal because the appeal judge ruled that the judge of the original trial made an error.So now he walks free and that the sex was between a consensual man and woman and not because of his abuse of position so has no relevance to the case.He can now legally sue the government. Go figure?

 

[9V-Orion Images]

Trial by Media, nothing new.

 

[ricohflex]

Maybe the judge can tell the jerk upfront. So there is no need for his expensive lawyer to attack witnesses.
• If the evidence proves he shot her on purpose - he gets death sentence.
• If the evidence proves he shot her by accident - he gets life sentence.

 

[ricohflex]

The case hogging the TV news. Worse than a bad soap opera serial. Too much bad acting. Wrong decision to televise trial. Treat the accused like anyone else in South Africa.

 

[9V-Orion Images]

Oscar Pistorius found guilty of culpable homicide but acquitted on all charges of murder.