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* Sun-Times…
The Rev. Michael Pfleger on Tuesday called on Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to make several changes to combat violent crime.
Pfleger called for residents who are scared to testify in gun cases to be able to do so anonymously.
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The Sixth Amendment allows a defendant a constitutional right to confront a witness testifying against them.
The crime problem is too serious to be spouting nonsense like this.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 11:40 am
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“The crime problem is too serious to be spouting nonsense like this.” for Pfleger to change now would be a holiday present.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 11:46 am
It does seem like a real world admission that gun crimes will go unsolved because witnesses decline to talk because they prefer to remain undead…that 6th A thing does bog down this push a bit. Lets ask the Gomers for their thoughts. On the edge of our escalators
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 11:47 am
Unfair hit. No fan of the guy but a lot of his proposals had merit. He’s wrong on the 6th amendment stuff but he meant it in context of broader discussion about witnesses being Freud to speak which is a big part of the problem. Another “Neighborhood Recovery Initiative” not the answer. Crime is at a crisis level. Exhibit 1 Senator Durbin bringing Judiiary Committee to Chicago to see it first hand.
Comment by Watchful eye. Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 11:51 am
It begs the question: how does one cross-examine an anonymous witness?
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 11:51 am
===It begs the question: how does one cross-examine an anonymous witness?===
As amateurs, we do it every day here. /s
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:00 pm
Six Degrees, true. But we don’t have the 6th Amendment to worry about.
Comment by AnonymousFool Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:03 pm
“cross-examine an anonymous witness”
With the witness seated behind a screen, using a voice altering device.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:03 pm
Confirming that one of the least safe places in the world is any where between Pfleger and a camera
Comment by DougChicago Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:14 pm
Pfleger’s ignorance of the Constitution nothwithstanding, he has a lot of company is making useless suggestions. Lightfoot apparently chastised retailers for not doing enough to combat crime. What are they supposed to do when a mob storms the businesses??
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chicago-mayor-blames-retailers-not-135021610.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
Comment by thisjustinagain Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:20 pm
-With the witness seated behind a screen, using a voice altering device.-
Knowing nothing about their background, their motivations, their biases, etc.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:24 pm
I find it interesting which civil rights and due process protections people seem willing to axe in the name of convenience, and which civil rights people hold as sacred cows. In this context, its like people watched the first episode of the Wire but didn’t bother to watch any of the others.
Comment by Just Another Anon Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:37 pm
He’s a priest who is concerned about gun violence - and witness intimidation is a very real thing in Chicago. So while what he is proposing is unconstitutional, I do think that the state, county, and city need to do more to protect witnesses and encourage testimony.
Maybe a good idea for civic leaders and philanthropists to support through private donations - Ken Griffin can put his money where his mouth is.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:47 pm
-Huh
And if the witness turns out to be an enemy with a grudge who is lying for his/her personal gain? Kind of hard for your lawyer to point out that the witness has a history of lying if they can’t find their identity.
Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 12:55 pm
How would you like a secret witness testifying against you?…yeah.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 1:04 pm
Father Pfleger seems to be having a hard time reconciling dealing with urban violence and protecting the community while at the same time respecting the rights of and treatment of defendants. This is the kind of thing that would lead to wrongful convictions.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 1:12 pm
Also put aside that a mayor doesn’t play a role in the court system. But he knows that, he just doesn’t care. He is simply a showboat.
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 2:40 pm
===how does one cross-examine an anonymous witness?===
Have you seen The Dating Game? I imagine it is something like that.
“Witness #1, what does your perfect weekend look like?”
Comment by thechampaignlife Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 2:41 pm
===With the witness seated behind a screen, using a voice altering device.===
Nah, just send them to FISA. Completely secret trial.
===He’s a priest who is concerned about gun violence===
Maybe he wants to be the first witness, testifying anonymously to break his confessional privilege without penalty.
Comment by thechampaignlife Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 2:46 pm
Our legal system is built on the assumptions that serious crime is rare and that criminals can be rehabilitated. I am not sure those assumptions are true.
Handling those with mental health issues that make them dangerous to themselves or others is a different issue. We used to [ut them in mental health facilities. But that interfered with their freedom, so we put them on the street. Technology might permit us to monitor those who are released and sane while on their meds. But we have to be willing to act when they stop taking required drugs.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 2:49 pm
Non-lawyers should not play lawyer.
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Dec 8, 21 @ 5:06 pm