Why We Should Protect Those Accused of Rape

http://www.saveservices.org/2011/08/why-we-should-protect-those-accused-of-rape/


Roy Black
July 27, 2011

As the Dominique Strauss-Kahn media circus continues, we stopped to consider
some of the complaints about U.S. criminal justice bubbling up across the
pond. Were charges too hastily filed before Strauss-Kahn was forced to make
his perp walk? Has the legal system so far let everyone - the alleged
victim, DSK, and the public - down? We asked famed trial lawyer Roy Black,
possibly best known for his successful defense of William Kennedy Smith on
rape charges, for his views, and he offers the bold proposal that follows.
We'll be following it with other views as well.

What do David Copperfield, Michael Flatley, the Duke lacrosse team, the four
Hofstra students, Rene Angelil (Celine Dion's manager-husband), Rick Pitino,
Kobe Bryant, KBR/Halliburton and Julian Assange have in common? All were
accused off rape, and will, in all likelihood, be remembered for that
association, regardless of what ultimately happens (Assange's case is
ongoing; none of the cases have led to a conviction). It is time for a
modest reform in rape jurisprudence; the accused should be granted anonymity
unless and until found guilty.---


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