The Chuck Turner video
By adamg - 10/20/10 - 7:40 am
This is the video the Uncooperating Witness took, which the government alleges shows Councilor Turner taking a bribe. The alleged cash handoff happens around 2:30.
Via WBUR's David Boeri, who is covering the Turner trial and who persuaded the judge in the case to release the video.
Comments
For $30K, he should've gotten
For $30K, he should've gotten more damning video. I wouldn't convict based on that video.
If I had guess, I'd say that
If I had guess, I'd say that sure does look like a hand-off. I mean, I don't think there's any doubt he's giving him something. And if they're being that clandestine about it, it's either money or something that would be roughly as damning. It's tough to say if that alone could be proof of whatever all the charges are for which they're indicting him, but in any event, it doesn't look good.
Burden of proof
I think the burden of proof is higher than "If I had to guess, I'd say..." If I had to guess, I'd say so too, but if Turner says it wasn't, and Candid Camera won't say otherwise, then I don't see a higher burden of proof being met, and I think you have to get up to "beyond a reasonable doubt" here.
I think the burden of proof
I'm well aware of that; I never said "looks conclusive to me, he must be guilty." I just pointed out that it doesn't look to be in his favor. And at the same time, I'm pretty sure I heard that this is the prosecution's most damning piece of evidence, so if that's true, it'll probably be what the jurors will focus on most when coming to a decision. Jurors are not exactly unfeeling automata ruled by the directives of justice; they're humans, with all the flawed logic and preconceived thoughts that go along with that. I'm not on the panel, and I have no idea what other evidence will be presented, but if this is indeed the crux of the case, it'll come down in large part to the jurors themselves thinking, "Well, it looks like it to me..."
Maybe it's just an aging
Maybe it's just an aging black man handshake. You think you can do or even remember the complicated handshakes after 40?
It looks like money to me at
It looks like money to me at 2:33.
Please..that's clearly a
Please..that's clearly a payoff no ifs,ands,or buts. Turner should have been a lot more careful. And obviously, this isn't the first bribe or payoff he's taken, he just got caught this time.
Moot?
Isn't the video moot at this point?
Didn't Turner already admit that he took the money?
(I think he said he thought it was a campaign contribution, etc.)
So, the video isn't really in dispute.
The problem with this case is that the Black community sees this (and the WIlkerson case) as a persecution against Blacks....because no other white politicians appear to be targeted....and that's why the primary witness is not cooperating and testifying.
Because he'll be blackballed
Because he'll be blackballed (pardon the pun) out of the community or out of business?