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Editorial: Injustice in Kern County (TruthinJustice.org) "Today, the Bakersfield molestation trials -- and the dozens of similar molestation cases that rippled across America in the 1980s -- are widely acknowledged to have been a witch hunt, a sort of mass hallucination born of fear and misconception. Since 1991, all but five of the twenty-nine convictions secured by [District Attorney Ed] Jagels have been overturned. Yet Jagels continues to stand by all of the wrongful prosecutions, without exception. He has fought the release of every parent, insisting, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that justice was done." 04-09
Witch Hunt (JanaLerner.com) "Executive Producer Sean Penn proudly presents 'Witch Hunt,' a documentary that brings light to an injustice that took over 20 years to correct. It's the story of John Stoll and dozens of other men and women who found themselves caught in a spiral of fear, ignorance and hysteria. These working class moms and dads were rounded up with little or no evidence, charged and convicted of child molestation."
"Through new interviews, archival footage, and narration by Mr. Penn, the filmmakers construct a film that illustrates a universal point; when power is allowed to exist without oversight from the press, the community or law enforcement, the rights of everyday citizens can be lost for decades." 04-09
Papers
- Study: Eight Percent of Complaints on Excessive Force Found Justified (MSNBC News)
The defendant's "military-appointed attorney, Navy Lt. Cmdr Charles Swift, said the lawsuit is aimed at moving the case to the civilian court system or to a traditional military court-martial. Lawyers for several defendants contend the tribunals lack guidelines and favor the prosecution."
" 'This is about a fair trial, not a free pass,' Swift said." 06-06
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