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Unfortunately, not everything in the criminal justice system goes according to plan or script. What about the Alfonso Jarman trial? We thoroughly believe Jarmon is guilty of cold-blooded murder and should spend the rest of his life behind bars. Yet, did he receive a fair trial?
That we can't answer. We can't answer yes or no to the question of the jury simply tossing aside the closing remarks of the prosecution merely because the defense was not able to complete its remarks.
Yes, the trial cost money and the citizens of Lauderdale County lost money and time with the semi-aborted trial. Nevertheless, it doesn't take a swami to predict Jarmon will at some point receive a new trial. We predict that he will then be found guilty again, with the taxpayers and the victim's family being the losers in the case.
That is assuming Jarmon's next court-appointed attorney cares as much about clients as Jean Darby did...
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Now, a quick look at recusals: Here's a survey floating about FB. We've checked and submitted our response, but such surveys and similar petitions rarely count for much.
In a perfect world, we wouldn't have to worry about murder. In a semi-perfect world, we wouldn't have to worry about avoiding the appearance of evil. Does anyone out there think this world is even 10% perfect when it comes to the justice system?
Yes, we firmly believe Chris Martin deserves a new trial. Will he get one because of this perceived issue with Hatcher? No.
Think how many Facebook friends you have; do you know them all or are some friends of friends that you simply accepted? Look at the FB pages of elected officials; how many of their "friends" do you think they know personally? Think they accepted some as an easy route to a vote? As cheap advertising?
For all we know, Jackie Hatcher could be bosom beaux with the Grant Campbell family or she could be a waiving acquaintance or she could be someone who simply accepted a friend request from Grant Campbell's aunt years ago without thinking twice about it.
Colbert is a small county. Try playing "Seven Degrees of Insert Your Name Here" and see if you can find someone you're not connected to in some manner. That being said, we have seen some interesting recusals and would love to know the basis behind some of them...
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For those who aren't fans of Hammer films, please feel free to skip this:
Judicial canons are guidelines for these specific situations . The cannons state if something merely suggests that a connection to a case can be made that would SUGGEST an inappropriate connection to a case the judge should recuse. I do believe judge hatcher should have recused. The friendship between hatcher and campbell started 3 years prior to chris martin trial. They both are in same social circles ,the relationship is obvuiously NOT just a cyber click but actually a friendship. Bryce graham was also friends with campbell family members so is it FAIR TO CHRIS THAT GRAHAM FOUGHT HIM IN COURT OR THAT HATCHER SENTENCED HIM? Id say not. For those reasons a change of venue was requested and tim case said it wasnt nessacary.
ReplyDeleteAnd... judge hatcher for you to say theres not "enough of a connection" to recuse is a lie. Even i know , and im not local, that the campbells families grandmother founded the take a book library outside your courthouse doors. I could post a picture right now i found online of you and sherry at a specific small cocial group. Not to mention 3 years friendship prior to trial . These are suggestive that she COULDNOT make a fair judgement and therefore violate canons of judicial conduct. Her opinion of a fair judgement doesnt matter its not her life being sentenced to 20 yrs now is it and that survey says 96 of 100 people also feel the same way judge hatcher.
ReplyDeleteYou make an excellent point. Colbert County is a small county. Very small. Everyone does know everyone. Even the more reason the trial wasn’t fair. It should have been held elsewhere. And the Judge should have certainly recused herself, even if simply precautionary to avoid the perception that she could be biased due to the friendship.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutly. Well said. Just because its a small town does NOT dismiss our rights as people
DeleteEven the coverage of the trial with biased in favor of the Campbell family. I witnessed Tom Smith speaking to the Campbell's on several occasions at the courthouse during the trial. He never spoke to anyone from Chris' family.
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