NEWS-girl killed by mechanic in FL.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
are you confusing emotional reaction of the average person toward HEARING about the crime to judgments brought about by emotion? Because sure EVERYONE has an emotional reaction to any given crime depending on the particular situation. Thats no mystery. But you are NOT supposed to make a legal judgment (as a juror) based on how angry you are about the details of the crime. Nevermind the severity of the sentence, judging on emotion can lead to the increased liklihood of an innocent person being found guilty to begin with (because you are furious about the nature of the crime itself and it clouds your judgment as to examining ALL the evidence and whether the person on trial really is guilty of it). In fact most courts would throw out any juror who openly admited that they planned on making a decision based on their anger or their disgust or whatever. thats why they try to keep them insulated from the media to begin with.

Judgement for guilty or innocent is not determined by emotion, but the penalty for the crime is. That's my position here.

It is our sense of morality and ethics that determine whether something is good or bad.... and therefore a crime. But it is how we feel about the crime that determines the punishment. No one can argue that murder deserves a harsher punishment than shoplifting. It is because of our emotional response to taking a life over taking a pair of jeans that makes that punishment harsher.

they are? there are murder distinctions for age of the victim?

yes, there are.