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Show fTTLE Creek FA 1 f ' hi j "Lock up the jury to deliberate delib-erate on the guilt or innocence of the defendant," used to be the judge's order to the bailiff. That may be universally reversed rever-sed if the new breed of crimin-lawyers crimin-lawyers has its way. From what we read in the papers or hear over the talk machine, defense attorneys in armed robbery, murder or political pol-itical corruption cases are complaining com-plaining that a fair trial for their clients is impossible. The reason they give is that the impaneling im-paneling of an impartial jury is impossible, due to the pretrial pre-trial news of the case being broadcast over modern communications com-munications media. "How can jurors be selected select-ed who have not already made up their minds as to the guilt of the defendant?" they ask. And in numerous instances they are making their contention stick. Cases are frequently dismissed or mistrial demands granted. Well sir, what is crime-ridden humanity to do? Abolish the trial by jury system and leave the decisions up to the judges, who are believed to be immune to sensational news influence? If that ever happened the criminal defenders would raise a wail of magnitude proppor-tions. proppor-tions. They all know that rank and file jurors are more easily eas-ily swayed bv the tears of a pleading defense lawyer. So, what should be done? Perhaps a corps of professional profes-sional jurors could be established. estab-lished. The members could be required to serve for a year and be kept locked up for 365 days, without access to newspapers, news-papers, mail, telephone, radio and television. They could cook their own meals and do their own housekeeping chores. Sounds silly, doesn't it? How ever, this proceedure is not half as stupid as many of the caper engaged in by American Ameri-can courts today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation In-vestigation reports that serious ser-ious crime in America is up 11 per cent over the same period last year. The increase in Salt Lake City is considerably a-bove a-bove that. In the humble and unsolicited unsolici-ted opinion of this column the responsibility for this situation does not rest with our law enforcement en-forcement officers. In the main it rests with the inefficiency of our lawyer-dominated courts. The way the courts are operating, op-erating, now, the criminal racket rack-et is about the easiest profession profes-sion in which to succeed. In the first place, you may never be caught. Secondly, the judge may turn you loose on some silly technicality. Third, you may be free on bail and your trial delayed for many months. This will allow you to continue on with your profession. Fourth, if finally brought to trial some of the prosecutions' witnesses may have died or left the state, resulting in a "not guilty" verdict, due to insufficient in-sufficient evidence. Fifth, if found guilty you will receive free board and room for a short period of time, until pardoned or paroled. Seems as though its time for a housecleaning among lawyers and courts and a return to sanity san-ity in our codes of law and punishment. During early Western American Amer-ican times, they had a way of dealing with serious lawbreakers. lawbreak-ers. It was quick, sure and permanent. Most of the talking was done after the sentence was carried out. So long 'til Thursday. |