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June 05, 2015 03:08 PM UTC
14 Comments
It's disturbing that Brauchler thinks it's only a problem if it involves social media and that it never occurred to him before he was called out that texting about the case, or anything else, in response to an individual while a key witness is being cross examined is hardly appropriate behavior for the DA or anyone involved in such a serious trial regardless of whether the tweeting part of it was accidental or not. It's also disheartening that he takes the view that since the order was about social media texting would have been perfectly fine and since he wasn't "attempting" to use social media even though "I’m not sure…how it all connects, but I got a text – it was from a direct message. This has happened to me accidentally before (my emphasis)", it should technically be OK? So in his excuse he admits he's screwed this up before but that didn't stop him from doing the same thing again when he knows the same mistake would put him in violation? That makes it not a violation? Huh? I've heard better excuses from 12 year olds.
Since Brauchler wasn't even listening to his opposing counsel's cross examination of his star witness, it also indicates an incredible amount of arrogance on his part.
The same arrogance and ambition that would compel his decision to refuse to accept a guilty plea with no chance of parole over spending millions of taxpayer's dollars and decades of appeals to gain the glory of a high profile death penalty conviction.
What's the big deal with denying victims and families closure, extending this case for decades when there is fame to be had, higher offices to be won, and power to be wielded?
I just realized the term that describes Brauchler — He's a glory whore.
The explanation many prosecutors give for why they need the death penalty is that it's a bargaining chip they need to get just what the defense offered… a plea deal for life without parole. Glory whore seems as good an explanation as any for why Brauchler rejected it. Many prosecutors have gone on to high office on the basis of a highly publicized record of putting the bad guys away. Looks like Brauchler preferred a really high profile big trial to boost his career over a mere life without parole deal. Probably should have avoided behaving like a moron while basking in the national spotlight.
He claims it was a mistake, that he was texting, yet he ended with a hashtag (#theatershooting)? Interesting dodge, Mr. D.A.
Maybe it was a really unusual butt call.
Republican politicians have so many dificulties with technology. Some of us are old enough to remember that last great Republican contortionist, Rosemary Woods, who was able to keep one foot on the pedal to her dictation machine (anyone born after 1975 will need to Google that term), hold one finger down on the record button and one finger on the play button on her reel-to-reel tape recorder (you may wish to Google that term too), while typing and answering the telephone for President Nixon.
They do always seem to be conveniently stupid when it's helpful to be so.
Apparently Judge Samour isn't 'up' on the whole texting thing, otherwise the hashtag would have been more than enough to indicate that Brauchler was lying through his teeth…
If you are observing a case, put your phone on silent. If you are trying a case put your phone away!
I'm going to be supremely pissed if stupid stunts like this cause a not guilty verdict or the judge to declare a mistrial. I've mentioned before that I have a couple of dogs in this fight. Our nephew would have been there with a group of friends had he not been scheduled to work the following day. One of his friends was killed. To put the cherry on it, it happened on our anniversary. Brauchler damn well knows better, that was pure arrogance on his part and I hope the judge nails him for contempt the next time.
So sorry. And before Modster has a chance there's a story in the Post that also mentions defense attorney King stepping out to take a call at one point during testimony. So yeah, Johnny does it too and he's also guilty of inexcusable behavior. Fortunately King is not an elected official with the same degree of influence in this case as that of the DA, not that that makes it any less irresponsible and offensive.
We have obviously become way too addicted to the need for constant and instant blathering on our various devices and platforms if the DA and other lawyers involved can't be bothered to give the live, in person proceedings in a death penalty mass murder case their undivided attention between breaks. Maybe they could practice civilized adult behavior by having dinner with their families once in a while with all devices turned off to give half an hour's worth of undivided attention to their loved ones while modeling common courtesy for their kids. It would be a start.
Brauchler's really stupid stunt was to go for the death penalty to prove his manhood for future political office rather than accept the life without parole deal that was offered. That would have avoided this whole circus so far, and the circus that will likely play on for decades if he gets a death sentence.
What BC said. I'm as guilty as anyone. The only cure is to turn the damn thing off and keep it off until the session is over. If it's on silent or vibrate, the temptation is still to take it out and check it.
My favorite County Clerk/voting rights hero, Gilbert Ortiz, and Senate 19 hero Evie Hudak also got nailed for using social media during sessions. It's pretty common these days.
Amazing how we all got along just fine up until not that many years ago without being constantly plugged in. I will say my family just isn't like that and neither are my closest friends. When we get together with the kids (adult "kids") we all actually talk to each other and nobody touches their devices while we're enjoying a meal together and then never spends more than a few seconds on a quick check or two as long as we're hanging out. Same with our friends. And none of us ever made any rules about that. We just like being with the people we're with, in person. It saddens me to see young people together all texting without talking to each other or families at restaurants who may as well be on separate planets.
It's nice to be able to be in touch with old an out of state friends so easily over social media and have regular contact with people we might have called rarely or lost touch with completely in the not really all that old days, but it's a shame what it's doing to live, close personal contact and socializing and to what was once considered basic common courtesy, not to mention professionalism.