Week 3 EOC: Rolling Stone Magazine

Looking at the Rolling Stone article about the Boston bomber the question was raised, “Can Jahar receive a fair trial?” When I heard the story about Rolling Stone on the news I formed my opinion before I actually read the article. I assumed, based on the photo on the cover that the magazine was looking to paint a glamorous picture of this guy.

After reading the article that isn't the case. So, under the law, does this article pose any issues. The author uses a lot of personal accounts from friends and neighbors of the suspect, but how accurate of a picture can we really get from these statements? Criminal law is a balancing act—between making society safe and protecting us all from false accusations and unfair punishment. ( Introduction to Business Law pg 108)

With the publishing of this article, is it possible to for the defendant to receive a fair trail with an unbiased jury. The article paints a grim picture of Jahar's family life and an even darker picture of his family. The author implies that his father was a very angry man, his mother was a religious and his once fun loving older brother that he looked up to, turned into someone that was very religious and controlling. Based on the article, the defense can say that he was afraid of  his older brother and that's why he did it. If this is true he cannot be found guilty. A defendant is not guilty of a crime if she was forced to commit it. In other words, she is not guilty if she acted under duress. ( Introduction to Business Law pg 108). The author talks to mostly people in the neighborhood and his friends. Everything that is talked about is the opinion of others based on their observations of the suspect and the side of himself that he allowed others to see. There are no interviews with the family. The defendant can argue that the article has made it impossible to find an impartial jury and he cannot have a trial by jury which is his right.  A criminal defendant has a right to a trial by jury for any charge that could result in a sentence of six months or longer. ( Introduction to Business Law pg 109)

Week 2 EOC: Stand Your Ground

Stand Your Ground

What is Florida’s Stand Your Ground law?

It is a law that allows people to stand their ground instead of retreating if they believe doing so is necessary to “prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.” But what does this really mean? It means that people could defend themselves, even outside of their homes, with deadly force if necessary if they believe their life is in danger.

                In 2005 after a 39-0 vote in the state Senate and a 94-20 vote in the state House Gov. Jeb Bush signed it. The National Rifle Association lobbied hard for the measure, while law enforcement officials like Miami’s police chief opposed it. Defenders of the law often cited the 2004 case of James Workman, a retiree asleep in his RV who shot an intruder and had to wait months before prosecutors decided he engaged is self-defense. Opponents worried the law would encourage the use of deadly force. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/07/15/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stand-your-ground-laws/

                Since the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and the not guilty verdict of George Zimmerman, many Democratic leaders and protesters have urged Florida governor Rick Scott to either repeal the law or enact changes to avert more tragedies. The Zimmerman verdict demonstrated the ramifications of the 2005 law, Florida Senate Democratic leader Chris Smith said. "This bill actually encourages people to shoot their way out of situations and that's not how we live in a civilized society," Smith told a news conference. "It's a mentality that has permeated the state of Florida. It's a mentality of shoot first, and we should not have that in a civilized society." http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/19/us-usa-florida-shooting-lawmakers-idUSBRE96I05020130719
            Attorney general Eric Holder spoke at the annual convention of the NAACP and condemned “stand your ground.” The statutes, which have been enacted in more than 30 states, have become the focus of a complicated national debate over race, crime and culpability since the shooting of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old, by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Sanford, Fla. The volunteer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted of murder charges Saturday. “These laws try to fix something that was never broken,” Holder told cheering delegates of the annual convention of the NAACP, which is pressing him to file civil rights charges against Zimmerman. “The list of resulting tragedies is long and, unfortunately, has victimized too many who are innocent.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/naacp-urges-eric-holder-do-the-right-thing/2013/07/16/530425da-ee49-11e2-9008-61e94a7ea20d_story.html

I believe that this law needs to be looked at and revised to ensure the safety of all parties.

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

Growing up I was always fascinated with films. I loved sitting with my mom and Grandmother and watching their favorite movies. I have always been fascinated with different styles of movies and the way that they are presented. I love to watch all movies from silent, to black and white, to the movies of today. I try and introduce my children to classic movies so that they will have a greater appreciation for what they see today. I believe that you can’t fully appreciate what you have without first appreciating where you have come from.

 I have  recently been given the opportunity to work in the video ministry of my church and as a filmmaker I look forward to making a quality product that will help reach lots of people. I really believe in what my church stands for and the message that they are trying to get out. I hope to help create a quality product that will be both informative and helpful.

As I Christian filmmaker I can not only help spread God’s word, but also create quality films that have a positive message and are geared toward those that enjoy watching movies, but would like to see movies without all of the blood, guts, and violence that are in a lot of movies today. I hope to take my knowledge of film making and create both educational quality products that give glory and honor to God.