These last few days I have heard Christians I respect say things I won't repeat about a woman they only know through a trial they didn't follow. Thank God for our justice system!The Casey Anthony trial brings out the worst in those of us who have a deep sense of justice but are sometimes led by our emotions or, worse, the media blitz portrayal of a case. Trial by an impartial jury of twelve peers, the 6th amendment guarantee, assures that anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent - not guilty; protected from an arbitrary and overzealous judge, or prosecutor.... or television viewer. It is our instinct as a people that gave rise to the charge that one is "acting as judge and jury." Although the system may not always get it right, it is a hedge against the lynch mob mentality to which we are prone.
Think of it this way: If Jesus had been tried under our system of justice, his case would likely have been thrown out and He would have walked. Instead He subjected Himself to a miscarriage of justice by night, by His enemies, by the will of God to save us.
Mystery of mysteries.
2 comments:
You are so very right, Greg, about how easy it is for each of us to assume guilt about someone from "circumstantial evidence" printed or spoken. Yes, we are indeed blessed to have the checks and balances our judicial system provides each person.
Have been reading Sometimes God Has a Kid's Face by Mary Rose McGeady. The street children who end up at Covenant House have such appalling stories to tell about their fears, pain and desperation. In the city they are being bought and sold daily(Revelation 18. Where are we, the church, for all these precious ones who are so scared and abused...before they decide to hit the streets?
Hi Greg,
I actually didn't follow this case - primarily because I found the circumstances so incredibly heinous (regardless of the perpetrator - she obviously didn't die of natural causes).
Also, I have gotten somewhat caught up in other high profile cases that didn't always turn out the way I believed they should. It got to the point where I thought "the system doesn't work".
Then someone pointed out to me that those 12 jurors heard every word and saw every piece of evidence and I didn't. For that reason alone, I completely agree with you. We, who are not privy to EVERY bit of evidence, as the jurors are, should probably keep our opinions to ourselves.
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