Either he should be disbarred, or he should get whichever law school he went to to give him a refund – again, on this evidence.

In my mind though, this just reinforces the case for an independent bar – as they have in England. It makes this sort of thing somewhat less likely as those prosecuting could also have to defend at any given time.

Prosecutors are paid to prosecute. Juries convict.

I don’t think the judges or defense lawyers are immune from scrutiny here – if he was allowed to get away with this, and the state bar association really ought to be more proactive in safeguarding their standards.

Depressing. Perhaps we the people need to do something about it.

Oh by the way, he can theorize all he wants but his speculation isn’t evidence – and he’s the one that has to disprove reasonable doubt with evidence. His opinion isn’t evidence. Sperm is evidence. Reasonable doubt it was someone else? Yes on the face of it. Mermel’s explanation? Nothing – it’s as meaningless as me saying “meep, meep, meep.” because it’s speculation. Reasonable doubt uncontroverted by evidence remains reasonable doubt.

Where did he go to Law School? Perhaps someone should ask them what they think.

Deeply depressing. Keep up the good work though.

Sad but true……in Lake County where law enforcement is a joke, where the victims are prosecuted, and where criminals are protected.

What a sick, demented, and fraudulent State’s Attorney’s Office we have in Lake County!

Otherwise they’re pretty bashed on a lot.

Question about Mermel… can’t find much info about him on the google so I wonder what law school he went to. Ave Maria? Regent? Liberty? is what I’m guessing.

You might like the book Molon Labe! by Boston T. Party.
A similar serial killer that you talked about is in the novel.

Do you think Mermel keeps his office door locked while he, um, “writes his closing arguments”, if you know what I mean?

Why is it you suppose that psychopaths like Mermel are attracted to these offices?

Every day that one can avoid the “justice” system is a day to be supremely thankful for. One has a better chance at beating cancer.

Let’s not forget, there are juries involved in these convictions. I imagine there being a very bad defense lawyer involved also.

Or an overworked / underpaid Public Defender.

The Prosecutor and the Public Defender both get paid by the same branch of Government. It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist to figure out which will be as underfunded as possible.

The hotel room and other such quotes are far-fetched, sure, but who but a pedophile would spend that much time thinking about weird ways to get sperm into girls’ orifices?

A federal prosecutor?

Another question. Who’s worse: The person who rapes and murders an 11-year-old girl or the person who dedicates himself to throwing an innocent person in jail for that crime, guaranteeing that, barring an unrelated lucky break for society, the guilty party still walks free?

The hotel room and other such quotes are far-fetched, sure, but who but a pedophile would spend that much time thinking about weird ways to get sperm into girls’ orifices?