I can't find much on the defense attorney's conduct, other than his cross of the victim sounds condescending, and he acts like he doesn't believe her. He shouldn't make condescending remarks, but OTOH it's kinda his job not to believe her. He's not there to walk his client into a conviction. Sounds like he's got his work cut out for him, though.

Pam,

I haven't been following this, but I am curious about what, specifically, you find objectionable about what the attorneys have done at the trial.

I hope your answer is not defending people accused of an awful crime, however, my suspicion is that is what is at the root of your anger. You wouldn't have the same reaction if the defendants were, say, brave activists accused of standing up to the powers that be in the name of some noble cause, right? In that situation, you'd hope that the attorneys exploited every advantage and played every card they had to play, right?

That disgust you're feeling is a natural reaction- and one that we all share. We have to work past that initial gag reflex and remember that criminal defense attorneys fulfill a constitutional duty to provide competent representation. When the crime for which the defendants stand accused is particularly heinous, zealous advocacy may be downright infuriating to the onlookers. But, while it is easy to admire the Atticus Finches who defend the Tom Robinsons, we need to have equal admiration for the attorneys who defend the meathead rapists and the cross-burners. Representing these sorts of clients will cause many people in the attorneys' communities to despise them. In our own community, we've seen defense attorneys' (and their families') lives threatened for doing their job. Fantasizing about hurling insults at the attorneys on the courtroom step is downright low-minded. You're better than that. Instead, why not applaud them for doing a difficult, but necessary, job?

Hopefully, in the end, the adversarial system will do its job, and the truth will prevail. Like many things in our democracy, not pretty, but the best we can do.

I get that the meatheads should be defended. It's the insults that are leveled at the victims in the process that make me mad. It's being condescending to a victim, implying that it was her fault that she was raped. That is simply not right. Is it the murder victim's fault that they were murdered. The burglary victim's fault that they were burgaled? No. Drinking does not give the rapist permission to rape. That's what I'm mad about.

And, of course, I wouldn't really go hurl insults at the attorneys on the courtroom step, but I can fantasize about it because I am frustrated that men simply do not understand the truth about rape. Would they want someone to treat their daughter that way? Their sister? Is it not possible to defend the meatheads while also displaying dignity in the courtroom? Do not attorneys have professional standards?

BTW, the prosecution has rested. It was be very interesting to see what kind of case the defense has other than trying to attack the victim.

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LordaMercy:

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Who advised this Vandy kid to hire this guy?

Bean,

Thank you. My gut reaction to this guy has been confirmed. And, your question is very valid -- who on earth advised the kid to hire Long? As Hilde indicated, of all the lawyers in Nashville, surely he could have found someone better. . .

pgs

Vandeburg did not testify in his on defense. His defense rested without presenting any witnesses.

Batey's attorney is presenting an expert witness who is testifying about how alcohol consumption impares judgment.

I thought Long put on a DNA expert for some reason or other? Or was that Batey's?

Innocence by reason of being drunk out of his mind - really?

It looks like they are already negotiating sentencing.

Judge is giving jury instructions. Today is Batey's 21st birthday. He apologized to the victim when he testified, and his attorney used closing to talk about levels of culpability. Long stuck with Vandenburg didn't do anything.

And all of this is taking place as a long planned conference gets underway for all Tennessee colleges and universities talk about dealing with sexual assault on campuses.

And it's the jury's to decide.

Jury back in less than three hours.

Guilty on all counts.

Hope it doesn't, but there have been some allegations regarding sexual assaults, cases being reviewed by the Attorney General, and matters to be presented to the Grand Jury. I wouldn't look for any derogatory comments from the University of Tennessee Athletic Department, they may have their own "cases" to work through later this year.