Believing the Lies

Posting a review on Amazon today, I read some of the comments left regarding Sion Jenkins' book, and realised again how many people are "convinced" of things for which they have no factual basis. One contributor wrote that the "whole of Hastings" knew Sion was guilty, before going on to say s/he wouldn't be buying the book!! Another wrote that he "hasn't been found not guilty by a unanimous decision." I always thought that, in this country, people are innocent until proven guilty. Since Sion has never been found guilty by any decision, unanimous or otherwise, then he is, by definition, innocent!
It's not just in Sion's case, though, that we find this curious certainty in spite of the facts. The website dedicated to the Luke Mitchell case www.lukemitchell.proboards41.com throws up this phenomenon again and again, and if you check any of the online "newspaper" sites which invite comments, you'll find dozens of examples - try the South Wales Evening Post reporting on the Stephen Marsh case for just one sample.
So how is it that people remain convinced that the system works, that "they wouldn't/couldn't do that," that prosecution procedures are fair and honest, in spite of masses of evidence to the contrary?
Is it just too frightening a leap for people to accept that "the system" can, and will, do whatever it takes to secure a conviction, regardless, and indeed, in spite of, the facts? Is it because there is just not enough information being allowed into the public domain to allow the majority of people to make informed decisions, or because there are so many "scare stories" produced on a regular basis that wrongful conviction, which most of us assume would never happen to us, ends up way down the list of priorities when it comes to things to be concerned about?

Welcome

Hi, and welcome to my Miscarriages of Justice Blog.
Just last week, I received details of an innocent man who has been imprisoned for two years without a visitor, who has not breathed fresh air, been outside or had any exercise for 8 months, whose cell is lighted from the outside (so he has no control over when lights are on or off), and who has no access to even a single electrical socket in his cell. Imagine being locked up, 24 hours a day, with absolutely nothing to take your interest or provide any distraction whatsoever. We're always condemning other countries' records on abuses like this, especially of the innocent. It may, therefore, come as something of a surprise when I tell you that the case referred to here is right here in mainland Britain, in a "modern" prison, today, August 2008. This man is no danger to himself or others, and has been convicted of a crime which, aside from having no evidence against him, may not even have happened at all. If and when I get permission, I will post full details of this case. I'm happy to discuss any thoughts and opinions regarding wrongful convictions, false allegations, alleged miscarriages of justice, and invite anyone who wants to debate these issues to join these discussions.

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