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ESPN Legal Analyst Condemns Duke Player's Assertion of Innocence as Attempt to Taint Jury Pool
ESPN/NewsBusters ^
| Mark Finkelstein
Posted on 05/16/2006 4:27:38 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 16, 2006
For those who think that sports broadcasts might offer a respite from liberal media spin . . . think again. At least when it comes to ESPN [an arm of ABC] the same ESPN that fired Rush Limbaugh for expressing his views on QB Donovan McNabb.
This time, ESPN let its liberal slip show in the matter of the Duke rape allegations. Yesterday, in the wake of his indictment, former lacrosse captain David Evans appeared before the press to assert his absolute innocence and those of his two co-defendants.
To comment on Evans' press appearance, ESPN, during the overnight edition of Sports Center, brought in its "legal analyst," a former Philly prosecutor by the name of Deborah Robinson. Commenting on Evans' press appearance, Robinson, with ill-concealed anger, claimed:
"It has no significance for the trial whatsoever. It's significant because it's unprecedented. I've never seen a defendant have a press conference before the trial even begins. . . It's tainting potential jurors, and that's what I think is the most significant thing about this press conference. The defense is trying to paint a picture for those jurors who will eventually hear the case about the defendant before the case even begins."
So let's get this straight. According to ESPN's employee, it is wrong for someone who passionately believes he has been wrongly accused of a heinous crime to publicly assert his innocence. Falsely accused defendants should simply sit in silence and take it.
Odd - I don't recall Robinson similarly condemning DA-cum-candidate Mike Nifong for his 70 press interviews and his public assertion that he believes the accuser - which of course amounts to accusing the defendant's of the crime. Guess outrage only works one way for ESPN's "legal analyst."
TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS: 200605; abc; davidevans; deborahrobinson; duke; dukelax; dukerapecase; espn; nifong; rushlimbaugh
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ESPN/NewsBusters ping to Today show list.
2
posted on
05/16/2006 4:28:14 AM PDT
by
governsleastgovernsbest
(Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Remember that ESPN is part of the conglomerate that also owns ABC -- hence, the bias.
ESPN should stick to sports commentary and broadcasting of sporting events. Should not venture into law or politics.
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Geez, ESPN is going over the line on this one. I hate to ask the question, but what race is Ms. Robinson? She sounds like the Reverands Jackson & Sharpton.
4
posted on
05/16/2006 4:31:59 AM PDT
by
caver
(Yes, I did crawl out of a hole in the ground.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Every day they have that major leftwing A--hole Keith Olbermann on the Dan Patrick radio show and I just want to puke.
The man is a lunatic, and not only does he get to spew his crap on MSNBC, he gets to do it again on ESPN radio.
5
posted on
05/16/2006 4:34:52 AM PDT
by
jerod
To: governsleastgovernsbest
They have every right. She sounds like another Tawana Brawley.
6
posted on
05/16/2006 4:35:13 AM PDT
by
tkathy
(The "can do" party can fix anything. The "do-nothing" party always makes things worse.)
To: fatnotlazy
Remember that ESPN is part of the conglomerate that also owns ABC.Please see second sentence of report.
7
posted on
05/16/2006 4:35:25 AM PDT
by
governsleastgovernsbest
(Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
To: caver
I decided not to mention that in the report, but your suspicious is grounded in fact.
8
posted on
05/16/2006 4:36:11 AM PDT
by
governsleastgovernsbest
(Watching the Today Show Since 2002 So You Don't Have To.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
To comment on Evans' press appearance, ESPN, during the overnight edition of Sports Center, brought in its "legal analyst," a former Philly prosecutor by the name of Deborah Robinson.
I saw her and the bias in her comments made me want to puke.
The bigger question is why is ESPN so deeply involved in this story? This isn't a sports story and they're not Court TV. Sickening.
9
posted on
05/16/2006 4:36:32 AM PDT
by
oh8eleven
(RVN '67-'68)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
It's significant because it's unprecedented. I've never seen a defendant have a press conference before the trial even begins. . .Ever hear of Bill Clintoon?
To: governsleastgovernsbest
As soon as I read the title of the thread, I knew the ESPN "Legal Analyst" had to be black or female.
Now, does anyone have an e-mail address for ESPN so we can address this stupidity and let ESPN know that it is offensive to viewers for them to assume that jocks and sports fans do NOT have the IQ of a can of Spam?
11
posted on
05/16/2006 4:37:07 AM PDT
by
no dems
(A Winning Campaign Theme for a Conservative in '08: "PUTTING AMERICA FIRST")
To: governsleastgovernsbest
I don't much follow these media sensationalized cases, but I did see the accused, David Evans, at the press conference and my impression is that he is one fine young man. I had no idea that the media would think it is wrong to defend oneself when you are falsely accused, which I firmly believe is the case here.
12
posted on
05/16/2006 4:38:17 AM PDT
by
Bahbah
(“KERRY LIED!! SCHOLARLY ATTRIBUTION DIED!!!”)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Remember where Keith Olberman came from.
To: governsleastgovernsbest
I saw that "analysis". Another possible reason for her "damn the accused" position in this case, sad to say, is that she is Black.
14
posted on
05/16/2006 4:38:50 AM PDT
by
CedarDave
(Sleeper trolls are like cicadas - emerge in the heat and contribute nothing but loud annoying noise)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
To be fair, I would also expect you to post her remarks ripping DA Nifong for holding press conferences essentially convicting these guys before trial. What's that you say? She didn't criticize Nifong, and only ripped this alleged perp for declaring his innocence?
Nevermind...
15
posted on
05/16/2006 4:39:22 AM PDT
by
Pharmboy
(Democrats lie because they must)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
It has no significance for the trial whatsoever. It's significant because it's unprecedented. I've never seen a defendant have a press conference before the trial even begins. . . It's tainting potential jurors, and that's what I think is the most significant thing about this press conference. The defense is trying to paint a picture for those jurors who will eventually hear the case about the defendant before the case even begins." Oh, please shut the hell up, you idiot. I'm sorry, but we are in a bad way if nutters are going to decry someone proclaiming their innocence.
Please, just shut your cake-hole.
16
posted on
05/16/2006 4:39:27 AM PDT
by
Fury
To: governsleastgovernsbest
"It has no significance for the trial whatsoever. It's significant because it's unprecedented. I've never seen a defendant have a press conference before the trial even begins. . . It's tainting potential jurors, and that's what I think is the most significant thing about this press conference. The defense is trying to paint a picture for those jurors who will eventually hear the case about the defendant before the case even begins." good for him, I would have spoken out a long time ago, this guy is already being tried in the media and the jury-pool has already been tainted with speculation by the media.
To: no dems
I imagine that because ESPN has a large number of Black viewers, they felf compelled to present what they assumed to be the "Black" position. I compare her to sports figure Tiki Barber who appears some days on Fox and Friends. I enjoy his perspective on events and believe he is a good representation of a popular sports figure doing more than giving gang signs and talking trash.
18
posted on
05/16/2006 4:43:50 AM PDT
by
CedarDave
(Sleeper trolls are like cicadas - emerge in the heat and contribute nothing but loud annoying noise)
To: CedarDave
To: fatnotlazy
If I was the one being charged, I would do everything in my power to taint the jury pool, wouldn't you?
20
posted on
05/16/2006 4:46:26 AM PDT
by
Coldwater Creek
("Over there, over there, We won't be back 'til it's over Over there.")
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