This is ridiculous. Justice is not served by returning confessed killers back into society because of a technicality. Quite frankly, it should be each citizens responsibility to know his rights and not have to rely on being educated at the moment of arrest. We should pass legislation to mandate that, but our society has been so liberalized that personal responsibility is no longer advocated. How much easier it is to play the blame game and pass off one's flaws and failings on everyone and everything else.
If you need a blood pressure boost, I encourage you to read this entire article. I have only posted a few highlights here.
He's on videotape calmly recounting to a Broward Sheriff's detective why he shot his best friend. A jury needed less than two hours to convict him of the May 2000 slaying. A judge sentenced him to life.
And three months ago, John Q. Ripley walked out of prison.
One simple word helped him regain his freedom. That word, missing from a Miranda rights form used by the Broward Sheriff's Office, has or could undercut at least 24 other cases against suspected killers, robbers and drug dealers. The word has left a trail of overturned convictions, dismissed charges and weakened cases for prosecutors.
Four suspected killers have either been freed from prison or seen their cases dropped. Another three accused murderers will receive new trials. The statements of four more accused killers have been or could be suppressed.
From February 1999 to November 2002, deputies read almost all arrestees a Miranda rights form that the courts have found was flawed. The form advised suspects they could request an attorney before questioning, but omitted mentioning that they have a constitutional right to have an attorney present during questioning. Courts have found that the missing word means juries can't hear the defendants' often damning statements to deputies because they weren't properly advised of their rights.
Read the rest at Sun-Sentinel.
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