Innocent until proven guilty is the way we operate
I have to be honest: I haven’t followed the Bill Cosby story that closely. I didn’t want to. I mean, like many Americans, I liked the guy. I was 12 when “The Cosby Show” first aired, and it was must-see TV, sitting right alongside my Dad.
Then I discovered his old standup — is there anything better than that old HBO special? — and I was walking around the house doing all his bits.
Cosby wasn’t cool to me; he was like a cousin. Well, like my Dad’s cousin. Something like that. Point is, I liked him. Just like everyone else.
So when word came out 60 women had accused him of drugging, molesting, and/or raping them over the years, I didn’t want to believe it.
But what choice do I have? I mean, 60 ain’t six. If 60 people have the same story, and if most of them can’t even get a day in court at this point, if they have nothing to gain, it’s hard to not believe the rough outlines of their stories.
So I don’t really like Cosby anymore. Hey hey hey.
But I do continue to be amazed by our justice system. It ain’t perfect, and I loathe the idea of forced jury duty, but in the end, it works. Innocent until proven guilty is the way we operate, and in this case, the “proven” part seemed tough to come by. The question to jurors, as always, isn’t “did he or didn’t he?” It’s “is it proven he did?” Without proof, there should not — cannot — be a conviction.
In this particular case, for whatever reason, the jury — at least a few members — did not see the proof. So Cosby walks. A new trial is being talked about, but without new evidence, I wouldn’t bet a single solitary pudding pop Cosby ends up in prison.
Is that right? Wrong? Who knows. But the system is set up to prevent judicial tyranny, and whenever someone walks free — even though they probably shouldn’t — you have to accept it and move on. It’s the American way.