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Show Judge Explains Rape Case Actions John C. Beaslin, in a prepared statement recently, explained the action of Judge Bryant H. Croft in setting aside the jury verdict in a rape case. Said Mr. Beaslin: "I do not see the issue raised in the matter as being anti-women at all. The question is whether factually the Court has reasonable reason-able grounds to set aside the jury verdict. If Judge Croft was convinced, as he apparently was, that the evidence was so inherently improbable as to not justify a conviction, then he acted within his authority in ruling as he did, and, in fact, it was his duty to so rule. The Legislative authority granted the Court to set aside jury verdicts in exceptional circumstances was granted by the Legislature for the purpose of enabling the Courts to administer justice even handed-ly. handed-ly. It should not be used lightly or indiscriminately, and, of course, this authority has been carefully guarded by the Courts historically. However, when circumstances circumstan-ces justify it, the Court is under the obligation to actiearlessly in preventing an injustice. Critics having sufficient access ac-cess to the evidence may dispute whether Judge Croft had sufficient justification factually fac-tually to support his actions. This is a matter of judgment and an issue upon which they may differ with him. But persons not privy to all of the facts should not distort the issue by treating it as a denigration of women or as a sexest act on the part of Judge Croft. Had this matter involved the-setting the-setting aside of the verdict in a burglary case where manifest injustice would have been done had the jury verdict stood, the present hue and cry would not have been heard. Only those persons privy to the facts would have hazarded an opinion as to the correctness of the ruling of the Court. The true issue involved in this matter should not.be clouded by impassioned rhetoric as though womankind were being impugned. impug-ned. It is unfortunate that the issue arose in the framework of a rape case, but it did, and the Court could be no less courageous coura-geous in assessing the evidence as being unworthy simply because of the immoral nature of the case. Judge Bryant H. Croft is a respected District Judge, a man of integrity and honor, and with an innate sense of fairness, and a man of good, sound judgment. Those persons who accuse him of improper motives in this matter are doing both Judge Croft and the legal system a severe injustice." |