1. Discuss at least three ways that evidence/crime scene was mishandled and could have been managed better.
One of the main evidence that was mishandled by the prosecution were DNA tests. The state crime lab failed to find any player’s DNA match to the found DNA, so the prosecutor requested a private crime lab to conduct their own tests. Another evidence piece was information from the players’ cell phones. The records showed the contradictions to the victim’s accusations, thus making them false. Also, the owner of the house where the party was hosted was accused of the crime due to the DNA found in his residence.
2. Discuss the photo drop, the problems with it and how should it have been done better.
The photo drop included only lacrosse players, without any non-suspect fillers. The victim identified some players as party guests, even though further investigation proved that they did not attend the event. Another problem was with the presentation of the photos, as well as the …show more content…
Also, fabricating or not disclosing any valuable evidence can hurt the case and innocent people can end up in prison for something that they did not do. Finally, informing media with false statements or empty promises does not provide a fair trial to the accused one(s) in case of a jury trial.
9. How did the media and social media play into this?
The media and social media painted a negative picture of the lacrosse team players, their coach, and the dean of the university. While lacking evidence or accurate information, they kept reporting that the team players were guilty, thus unfairly accusing the players of a crime that they did not commit. Since the social media has a power of reaching to many readers in a short period of time, the coverage was extensive and robust.
10. Did the punishment for the prosecutor fit the crime? Why or why
One of the main evidence that was mishandled by the prosecution were DNA tests. The state crime lab failed to find any player’s DNA match to the found DNA, so the prosecutor requested a private crime lab to conduct their own tests. Another evidence piece was information from the players’ cell phones. The records showed the contradictions to the victim’s accusations, thus making them false. Also, the owner of the house where the party was hosted was accused of the crime due to the DNA found in his residence.
2. Discuss the photo drop, the problems with it and how should it have been done better.
The photo drop included only lacrosse players, without any non-suspect fillers. The victim identified some players as party guests, even though further investigation proved that they did not attend the event. Another problem was with the presentation of the photos, as well as the …show more content…
Also, fabricating or not disclosing any valuable evidence can hurt the case and innocent people can end up in prison for something that they did not do. Finally, informing media with false statements or empty promises does not provide a fair trial to the accused one(s) in case of a jury trial.
9. How did the media and social media play into this?
The media and social media painted a negative picture of the lacrosse team players, their coach, and the dean of the university. While lacking evidence or accurate information, they kept reporting that the team players were guilty, thus unfairly accusing the players of a crime that they did not commit. Since the social media has a power of reaching to many readers in a short period of time, the coverage was extensive and robust.
10. Did the punishment for the prosecutor fit the crime? Why or why