Reply #120: Can we separate *emotions* from the law here?

[Padraig18]

Regardless of what any of us *feel* about this case, the *law* is what applies; none of here feel that it's right that * is in the WH, but he is there, last time I looked.

This is an adversary hearing; the Constitution and 800 years of Anglo-Saxon jurisprudence set it up to happen that way. By definition, it's not going to be pretty and nice--- it's just not the way it works, folks, whether it's rape, car theft, muder or whatever. Kobe Bryant is facing a Class 1 felony charge that, if he is convicted, could cause him to spend the remainder of his natural life in prison--- a long time for someone 25 years-old. Regardless of how much sympathy we may feel for the victim here, we cannot lose sight of the fact that even rape shield laws do not abrogate the guarantees the US Constitution makes to criminal defendants.

This is a drama that will be played out according to the US Constitution and the laws regarding evidence and trial procedure of the State of Colorado.

It's just the way it is, regardless of how we 'feel' about it.