Comments on: English-Speaking Defendant on Trial for Raping Seven-Year-Old Gets Free Pass Because Court Could Not Find Interpreter in His Obscure Language

By: Daniel Marston, The Seven Years' War (Essential Histories)

Daniel Marston, The Seven Years' War (Essential Histories) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:47:35 +0000

[...] Patterico�s Pontifications � English-Speaking Defendant on Trial … Related books: [...]

By: Carole Sarcinello

Carole Sarcinello — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 23:58:48 +0000

Please sign this petition before the Judge makes a decision on bond!

URGENT!

By: EricPWJohnson

EricPWJohnson — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:01:15 +0000

Its now coming out that the prosecution did not answer any requests by the defense in discovery and there is some mention of a “police scandal”

does anyone have any info on this?

By: Tony Ward

Tony Ward — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:20:30 +0000

Great way of getting around the justice system. If one was ever incarcerated and awaiting trail, simply claim to speak Mars language; where no known translation exist. Never mind that one spent their entire life educated and working around the English language. All you need is the opinion of a court appointed psychiatrist, who would recommend moving the trail to Mars in order to get a fair hearing, or simply dismiss ALL charges. Ump dicca duveric fribbger gratticx pom, yep, ep, ueppi, hibnk luye whafufufuf!

By: Kennah also accused of abusing 18-month-old child « Volunteer Opinion Journal

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:23:17 +0000

[...] Patterico has more here. [...]

By: JD

JD — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:36:04 +0000

amarc – One might suspect that it would be rather difficult to graduate from an American high school and attend community college if you only spoke a tribal African language.

Somebody gamed the system. For the parties involved, they can only hope that this bastard does not resume his hobby again.

By: Another Drew

Another Drew — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:30:03 +0000

Just another shining monument to our CRIMINAL Justice system.
Does anyone know if judges in MD are elected/re-elected? How about recall? There always is impeachment – or being guest of honor at a tar-and-feathering.

By: MD in Philly

MD in Philly — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 02:25:31 +0000

A follow-up to PB’s point at #24.

How often does a defendant have the education and IQ to follow the details of the testimony of forensic experts, the strategy of the prosecutor, the precedents in law??

How much English does it take to understand you’re accused of doing things with a 7 year old that you’re not supposed to. Even the education of a HS diploma in the worst of schools should be adequate.

Was the guy non-functional in US society? Apparently not. How could someone from a remote part of Liberia get to the US and manage to get a HS diploma and enroll in Community College without functional English?

It may be there are issues of the accused’s mental status that the psychiatrist needs an interpreter to help figure out if he is delusional or “just has some wild ideas”, etc., that have bearing on the court proceedings.

But if the issue is whether he is guilty or innocent by reason of insanity, putting him back on the street doesn’t sound like the answer.

By: amarc

amarc — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 01:23:59 +0000

As long as he’s competently defended, what exactly is the Constitutional issue?

I believe its the right to confront witnesses. In the 6th amendment.

Never mind America having English as our official language, the official language of Liberia is English. Had anyone considered that? Please reference the Financial Times World Desk Reference, since the DOJ obviously doesn’t have a reliable reference source.

From the story, it appears that he speaks a tribal language.

By: AllenGrim

AllenGrim — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:50:08 +0000

The sad thing is, if the father of this child does what needs to be done and puts this lowlife in the ground the same judge would put him away for life in an instant.