Comments on: Two Cheers for the Appeals Court of New Jersey

By: Pi Guy

Pi Guy — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:29:52 +0000

While jury nullification is ethical, legal, and Constitutional, the courts seem to think that informing potential jurors that they have that option is a crime.

http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/Legal/News/2012/03_-_March/Jury_nullification_a_danger,_judge_says/

Yeah, I know. You’d think a judge and a bunch of lawyers would’ve actually known about this whole Constitution thingy as a part of their legal training.

By: CyniCAl

CyniCAl — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:17:28 +0000

#23 | Robert — “What’s the economic impact of a citizen turning into a felon? I’d like to know what this costs, over time.”

Since all government spending no matter how wasteful adds to GDP, I have to conclude that more felons increases prosperity. The criminal justice system is the perfect growth industry.

By: Norm N

Norm N — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:34:26 +0000

Thank you comment #13 and well said comment #18. Our hard earned extorted taxes pay for the deviousness that too many judges are too proud of and can spend all day and all year spinning but in the end it is the truth that prevails.

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:26:11 +0000

If people would learn two words ( jury nullification ). Instead of a defense fund, they should buy a front page of a local paper, post the story and the power of jury nullification, let them know they can throw out stupid laws.

By: Mad

Mad — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:40:32 +0000

Jersey is the most stupid place on earth there hallow point law a felloney for every hallow point bullet you have there right there with new york ran by a buch of idiots

By: Burgers Allday

Burgers Allday — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:40:48 +0000

So how exactly do you get your gun and ammo from the store to your house? I’m really perplexed by this. Is there some kind of authorized delivery service?(somewhat tongue in cheek, but who the hell knows)

The case only makes sense when you realize that the police really did believe that this guy was driving around his gun for more than just isolated trips. Mr. Balko says the police are wrong and I believe him. Nevertheless I could imagine Aiken driving along with belongs for an extended period so that if he ever got pulled over then he could say he was moving.

There really was a lot more he-said-she-said in this case than I would have liked.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:18:43 +0000

What’s the economic impact of a citizen turning into a felon? I’d like to know what this costs, over time.

By: Onlooker

Onlooker — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:48:06 +0000

By: The Crip Bandit

The Crip Bandit — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:08:37 +0000

#3, It is impossible to get the Feds to give the rights back.

#5, Black powder will depend on state law.

By: David

David — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:04:15 +0000

The reason he can be retried is because the court found that the jury received improper instructions, not that he was definitely innocent.

By: Burgers Allday

Burgers Allday — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:34:01 +0000

@18: Okay. However, I had to withdraw my previous statements because I got some misinformation about the facts of the case. Mr. Balko corrected me upthd.

By: JOR

JOR — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:30:58 +0000

Heroism is for suckers. Deception is a valid part of all combat, be it legal, political, or personal. If people are trying to lock you up for no good reason, you have no obligation to fight back “fairly” or “honorably”, i.e. on their terms at a game rigged in their favor.

By: Steve Verdon

Steve Verdon — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:10:02 +0000

Damn, meant #9 not 7.

By: Steve Verdon

Steve Verdon — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:09:41 +0000

#7 is there a time limit in the statute? If not, then your comment is irrelevant.

By: Burgers Allday

Burgers Allday — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:05:53 +0000

Okay, thats for the correction about the party. That was the main source of confusion. That is the part that made me suspect Aitken was fudging the details. I, of all ppl, should know better than to take the police acct at face val.

By: Radley Balko

Radley Balko — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:04:01 +0000

All this is nice, but the guy had his guns and ammo in the vehicle for an awful long time after the move before he got caught. He also claimed that he only had the stuff temporarily out of the unit because of a party, which is kind of inconsistent with the moving theory.

Both of these sentences are incorrect.

Four people testified Aitken looked to be the process of moving his stuff from his parents’ house to his, including the arresting officer. Aitken’s car was packed full with his personal belongings. The long time between moves the judge and prosecution cited refer to his move between Colorado and New Jersey. He had stored his stuff at his parents’ place until he could find an apartment.

Also, Aitken never claimed he put the guns in the car because of the party. He and his attorney don’t know why or how that got into the police report. They both say it didn’t come from him.

By: Burgers Allday

Burgers Allday — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:04:01 +0000

No JOR,

Aitken would only deserve four cheers if he had admitted that he always drove with guns or ammo in his car and would continue to do so because the law is stupid. That would have been heroism. Aitken chose a somewhat, but not totally, different path.

By: CyniCAl

CyniCAl — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:55:18 +0000

There’s the asshole of the universe …

… and then there’s New Jersey.

The population of New Jersey is stricken with mass-Stockholm Syndrome. They are aware they can live somewhere else, right?

By: Judas Peckerwood

Judas Peckerwood — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:45:58 +0000

Grew up in the Garbage State, and if I never see it again it will be too soon.

By: JOR

JOR — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:13:31 +0000

Flagrantly breaking a stupid law and lying about it, I'd say deserves four cheers. Maybe five, but only if your lying and bullshitting is really good.