Reply #11: In most states, you are NOT guilty till a Judgment is entered against you [View All]

[happyslug]

All the JURY enters is a VERDICT, a finding of fact that someone committed a crime. Judgment of Conviction is done by a Judge given the verdict. The defense has the right to ask the Judge to through out the Verdict and either dismiss the case OR ask for a new trial. The Judgment is entered when a person is sentenced. In Pennsylvania our State Treasurer in the 1980s named R. Budd Dwyer, was convicted on bribery, prior to being sentenced he shot himself during a news conference. Under Pennsylvania law once CONVICTED he and his family lost their legislative pension. By committing Suicide BEFORE his sentencing he could NOT be "Convicted" even thought the verdict had been against him (He is No longer capable of Defending himself, thus can NOT be Convicted by the Judge). This saved his pension for his wife and children. (He was a Republican).

For more on Budd Dwyer:

R. Budd Dwyer (1939-1987) — of Pennsylvania. Born in St. Charles, St. Charles County, Mo., November 21, 1939. Member of Pennsylvania state house of representatives, 1965-70; member of Pennsylvania state senate, 1970; Pennsylvania state treasurer, 1985-87; died in office 1987. Baptist. Member, Eagles; Jaycees; Theta Chi. Convicted in December 1986 of bribery and conspiracy in federal court. About to be sentenced, and widely expected to resign from office, he called a press conference; there, in front of spectators and television cameras, he insisted he was not guilty, and then shot himself dead, in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa., January 22, 1987. Interment at Blooming Valley Cemetery, Blooming Valley, Pa.

* Cross-reference: Robert B. Asher
* See also: Internet Movie Database profile.

http://politicalgraveyard.com/death/suicide.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budd_Dwyer
http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/archive/oldnews/budd.htm


Video of the Actual Suicide:
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/belarus/651/warning2.html#