[riverrunner]

This is part of the continuing saga of Harold Fish, who almost certainly acted in self-defense when he shot a mentally unbalanced homeless person who attacked him on a hiking trail in Arizona. Prosecutors had lobbied to change the law on self defense in Arizona in 1997 to reverse the burden of proof from what it had been since Arizona was a territory, and as it is in 48 other states. The change passed without debate, and almost no one noticed for years, even people who studied this particular law. I know, because I was one of them.

In essence, because of the weird change in the law in 1997, Harold Fish had to prove his innocence. An extremely hostile prosecutor made this virtually impossible.

The legislature has now changed the law three times to try to rectify the injustice. The first time, the judge and prosecutor said it did not apply to the Fish case, even though the legislature passed it before the trial and in such a way as to make it immediately effective. The second time, the legislature said, effectively, "We mean it!" and Governor Janet Napolitano vetoed it. This is the third time, and we will see what Janet does.

My question is: What does she have against Harold Fish?

Is it just that he had the gall to defend himself? Or does she owe the prosecutor in this case something? After all, she was a Clinton appointed prosecutor herself.

[an amused spectator]

This is the answer to all the "If you don't like it, just change the law" people out there on Free Republic.

Apparently, the legislature itself has a hard time "changing the law". If it wasn't for Fish's railroading, it would be entertaining.

[skepsel]

Well, we wouldn’t want to inconvenience this Unclesbay apparatchik with something like justice would we?

Just think, his numbers might go down and it could affect his career! Something has to be done about these people constantly whining about rights and justice.

[untrained skeptic]

Napolitano needs tossed out of office, and they need to elect someone with the integrity to pardon Fish.

[marktwain]

This may explain why Dorothythompson came on and posted.