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Originally Posted by nuttyjoe That's because you don't understand exactly what double jeopardy is. It only applies to murder. The police in Rodney King's case were never originally charged with murder. Hence, they could be re-tried at will with whatever the Justice Department so wished to charge them with. Our friend OJ was originally charged with murder. His aquittal in the first trial kicked in double jepardy. He now could not (and never can be tried for the murders of his ex-wife and young Mr. Goldman. This did not mean that he couldn't be charged with anything else, and tried for it. Hence, the trial for wrongful death.
As far as the NYC case goes, as I understand it; this trial did not have them charged with murder. There is no statue of limitations on murder in any jurisdiction in America of which I am aware of. They can be tried and re-tried for this charge whenever prosecutors want to; for as long as they live. |
OK. How could you be found gulity of wrongful death when you were aquitted of murder? It makes no sense to me. Of course, the legal system often doesn't make sense.