When the guilty verdict was read, he had no reaction.

esteli · #1 05-12-2010, 11:04 PM

Why is it that every single story about a crime, trial and verdict, they always comment on how he or she didn't react to the "guilty" verdict. You always hear he stood there stoic, or he didn't say a word, she had no reaction.

What do people really expect? Are you suppose to cry out, yell, faint? What? I have never experienced being found "guilty" at a trial. I've never had a trial on me but I can only imagine the magnitude of processing a guilty verdict. I could only imagine it would leave me numb and speechless.

So isn't not reacting a normal reaction to such a life altering verdict?

Seems to me they imply that by not reacting the person is guilty. Do you agree? What do you think?

pisces317 · #2 05-12-2010, 11:37 PM

i have'nt ever been in trouble,but i'm imagining that just the word along would have me pissing my panties,as for the reaction it should be normal depending on the sentence stoic should'nt be considered shocking,when my xx got sentence i was'nt there he lied about the date so i would'nt have to hear it probably would've faint for him,i seen a rapist smirk at his trial and cry like a baby at the sentencing ,so i'm guessing at some point there has to be a reaction from them

lovelyme · #3 05-12-2010, 11:54 PM

lol, ur right how the hell are they sopose to act. i do not believe if u have no reaction is because u are guilty, some people are shocked, or just simply have to be strong, this does not make them guilty, but i hear what ur saying. i hear that all the time on the news, how when they say he's guilty the guy has no reaction, and then they go on saying how cold hearted the person is. wth????

so yeah maybe if they faint, they could be innocent, lol.

esteli · #4 05-12-2010, 11:56 PM

Oh yeah, they do mention how cold hearted he must be. I forgot to mention that.

Daywalker · #5 05-13-2010, 12:07 AM

Anytime you don't react the way people think you should, you are automatically guilty of something. When my daughter was little, around 8 or so, we lived in a very small town. Still, one day, we managed to lose track of her. After an hour or so of looking for her ourselves, we called the Sherriff to come help. Well, apparently because I wasn't bawling and carrying on, she actually accused me of doing something to my daughter, and calling them to cover it up. I gave her the "look" and I asked her, in my now very clipped voice, because I really wanted to collect her head: "So, would it be MORE productive of me to crumple up in a heap and bawl like a heifer looking for it's calf, or would you like to hear what I DO know, and perhaps assist me in finding my lost child". I was beyond livid, beyond furious. This woman, who hadn't laid eyes on me but 5 minutes before, had decided that because I don't react "normally", I MUST be guilty, if not of hurting my child, then of something.
I would suck in court, I've spent too many years manning emergencies and I keep my emotions under a very tight reign, I don't just go off like so called "normal" people because I was conditioned not to do that.

PhilB · #6 05-13-2010, 12:21 AM

I think a guilty person, even thought they've tried to get out of it, are prepared for the guilty finding and the response would be no more than finding out you didn't have the winning Lotto ticket. A guilty person being found not guilty would bring out some appearance of having won the lottery.

Whereas an innocent person being found guilty would be more likely to show some anxiety as they believed the truth would set them free. Being found not guilty would bring out some sense of accomplishment and relief.

There's also a third category. The guy who takes a plea deal, whether guilty or not, too avoid the possibility of a long sentence, upon the advice of his attorney, the lessor of two evils. Then to have the 5 year deal offer be changed by the judge at sentencing to 10 or more years. Such a circumstance will bring out a variety of reactions such as; disbelief, shock, betrayal and anger.

Trying to read the defendants face at the hearing of the courts finding and sentence is near impossible to interpret without having some personal knowledge of their guilt or innocence. Learning that your going to prison is traumatic for first time offenders. Knowing that you are no longer in control of your own life. Losing your close contact relationships with friends and family. The full impact of which will take several weeks to sink in.

Before sentencing defendants are given the opportunity for elocution (to make a personal statement). This may be the best time to study them for they are on their own to make amends before the victim/s and the judge.

Tensions can be high in major trials. Attorneys tell their clients to be calm and appear remorseful. Especially at jury trials where jurors will watch the defendants reactions to witness testimony. Part of their decision may well be based on the defendants body language and responses to witnesses, as jurors develop a gut feeling about the defendant.

Her_Man · #7 05-13-2010, 08:35 AM

I think the news media expects the same drama in the courtroom that they see in television shows and movies and are suprised when that isn't real life.

And at the end of the day, it's all about the television ratings rather that truth or justice.

retired - 666 · #8 05-13-2010, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esteli

Why is it that every single story about a crime, trial and verdict, they always comment on how he or she didn't react to the "guilty" verdict. You always hear he stood there stoic, or he didn't say a word, she had no reaction.

What do people really expect? Are you suppose to cry out, yell, faint? What? I have never experienced being found "guilty" at a trial. I've never had a trial on me but I can only imagine the magnitude of processing a guilty verdict. I could only imagine it would leave me numb and speechless.

So isn't not reacting a normal reaction to such a life altering verdict?

Seems to me they imply that by not reacting the person is guilty. Do you agree? What do you think?

I agree . I believe it is called SHOCK.

FilledWithFaith · #9 05-13-2010, 09:23 PM

i was really bothered by the same thing. When my guy went to his sentencing and i read the article in the paper it really upset me that all they could write about is how "he had no re-action, looked cold, and pretty much seemed undisturbed." i wanted to call the paper and complain to the writers and the editors, but i felt that it really wouldn't make a difference. it's a total one sided story it's not even like the asked him any questions or really cared. they just wanted to label him as a terrible person. he wasn't even given a chance to speak at his sentencing, while the whole time the DA said whatever he wanted about him. it's complete BS. how can a legitimate reporter give a story when only talking to one side? that should be a crime as well!

morena82 · #10 05-13-2010, 10:16 PM

When my husband was sentenced, he already knew he was guilty and would serve time, he was just hoping it wouldn't be much. When they said he was given 13 1/2 years I just remember the feeling of my heart dropping into the pit of my stomach..the feeling of wanting to throw up...feeling like my head was going to explode... like I wanted to scream and jump over that little wooden gate and hug him... One thing about my husband was the fact that he was a very cocky man... a man that NEVER put his head down and could stare a man down but that day a different man was in court. His reaction wasn't a big reaction (like most would expect). He just stood there, hung his head very low and wouldn't even look over at me.. all I could see were the tears dropping from his face and as they escorted him out with cuffs on his hands and legs he kept his head low (I mean any lower and he coulda been the hunchback of Notre Dame). That just killed me.. I guess after what he put me through some would say that I should have been happy with that but it killed me so much to see him at such a weak and low moment in his life and I couldn't do a thing about it. I couldn't comfort him in any way and that was just the worst feeling.

Strength&Loyalty · #11 05-13-2010, 10:17 PM

[quote=PhilB;5393261]I think a guilty person, even thought they've tried to get out of it, are prepared for the guilty finding and the response would be no more than finding out you didn't have the winning Lotto ticket. A guilty person being found not guilty would bring out some appearance of having won the lottery.

Whereas an innocent person being found guilty would be more likely to show some anxiety as they believed the truth would set them free. Being found not guilty would bring out some sense of accomplishment and relief.

WHEN MY SON'S VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY CAME IN ON THE MAJOR CHARGE I GUESS I LOOKED LIKE I WON THE LOTTERY BUT HE WAS CALM AS COULD BE...SO I WONDER HOW MY REACTION APPEARED TO THE JURY?

esteli · #12 05-13-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilledWithFaith

i was really bothered by the same thing. When my guy went to his sentencing and i read the article in the paper it really upset me that all they could write about is how "he had no re-action, looked cold, and pretty much seemed undisturbed." i wanted to call the paper and complain to the writers and the editors, but i felt that it really wouldn't make a difference. it's a total one sided story it's not even like the asked him any questions or really cared. they just wanted to label him as a terrible person. he wasn't even given a chance to speak at his sentencing, while the whole time the DA said whatever he wanted about him. it's complete BS. how can a legitimate reporter give a story when only talking to one side? that should be a crime as well!

This is exactly how I would feel. I would find it extremely offensive. People who know nothing of him writing such a story to make it seem good. I could understand your feelings. I'm glad you held back though.

TasteMySkittles · #13 05-13-2010, 10:48 PM

I remember going to my fiancee's sentencing trial, when the judge said "guilty 15yrs" it felt like my heart had been ripped out of my body all I could do was look at him and he looked up at me with tears streaming down his face and he's always so strong and tough very macho Italian lol but that day was the 1st time I say his soft side and I felt so helpless cause I couldn't do anything to comfort him, the only way I can comfort him is to let him know i'll be waiting for him the minute he walks out of those gates

xgot420issuesx · #14 05-14-2010, 12:12 AM

All I can comment on is when Michael was sentenced, as we decided it was in OUR best interest not to take it to trial. Knowing him, his face speaks volumes to me, no one else. When he was sentenced, I could tell his heart was shattered and broken. I could tell when he plead guilty to a crime he didn't commit, he was broken. I could tell these things knowing him, knowing his spirit and how once he knew our fate, his spirit was taken from him. Anyone else looking at him would not be able to tell these things. So I look at this question differently than I once would have. I have no expectations of what a person should look like when found guilty or when sentenced. Unless you personally know that person, you have no idea what is going through heir mind or heart at that moment. Later that day, he called me. A CO who was the most decent CO ever, let him call me from the office and speak to me without limit. He cried and cried and was inconsolable. He was devastated. This strong man, this man who could concur the world is he chose to do so, this man whom looks so hardened to people who do not know him. Did people in court that day get to see this honest show of emotion, no. But it was there just waiting to burst out. Heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe how he felt. But you know what, that was mine to see and feel, no one elses. So now, my thought upon watching a person on TV as they read a verdict, only their lioved ones could ever begin to know that person. What you see, is not always what is underneath. There is a huge heart, a caring heart underneath that thick tough exterior.

I have heard, "oh they cried too much", or "they didn't dry enough" or "they didn't cry at all". No matter what the reaction is, there will be criticism.

wickedmimi · #15 05-14-2010, 12:31 AM

when my dad when to trial he was sure he would be found not guilty and let go. but he wasn't and his sentence was severe. I wasn't there but I saw the video and could tell he was devastated he wouldn't want to show it in front of them. He kept it in. Doesn't tell you he is evil or guilty just torn up.