Smith’s Acquittal on Rape Charge
The Smith rape trial differed most sharply from the 12 criminal cases in which I have been a juror. Smith had a well-financed and well-thought-out defense instead of an underfinanced and (usually) overworked public defender representing him before the court and jury as was the case with the defendants I saw and heard.
In retrospect, I only wish that something could be done about erasing the overwhelming edge that prosecutors have over public defenders in the vast majority of criminal trials.
HORACE GAIMS
Los Angeles
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