Irish firefighter found guilty of rape in Boston!

“That said, with inconclusive DNA I thought he may be found not guilty.”

Testimony can be a very powerful piece of evidence in a trial -for both parties actually - DNA is often not present or the allegation is made some time after - hence no forensic evidence available

-but all the additional small pieces of evidence such as his reaction to the rape allegation (define rape) and his question without knowing the details of the allegation (did she say I pined her down by her arms? (She did but he hadn’t been told that)) all contributed to the jury finding him guilty - in some ways, his own words convicted him

Oh i know that it was just a reply to the poster I replied to who said he would leave quickly. But I would say just because there is a treaty the person would not automatically be extradited

Not sure if you actually read my post. I made it very clear that “I acknowledge he has been found guilty” precisely to avoid any confusion, even for those with the scantest regard for detail. That wording was included specifically to head off comments like yours. There’s no mystery or conspiracy in what I wrote; it’s simply pointing out that America is not a country you want to be under suspicion in, much like Saudi, China or indeed North Korea.

• Clear messaging.

• Straightforward language.

• Nothing ambiguous.

• No hidden agenda.

• Just a plain fact.

Lots of people saying this but I don't really buy it. If he's free to go then he's free to stay and enjoy the parade. He obviously thought there was a chance that something would develop over the next couple of days.

Is it a clever move by the police to put him on a flight risk list to be flagged in the airport, but at the same time tell him he's free to go?

America is not a country you want to be under suspicion in, much like Saudi, China or indeed North Korea. It has mass incarceration and broken criminal legal system, it's incredibly easy to find yourself locked up in jail for little to nothing in the States, look at what happened to Brian O'Driscoll over a scuffle. He was very lucky.

Again, I want to repeat that I acknowledge he has been found guilty and have done so from my first post on this subject.

I don’t condone rape, I never said he was innocent of rape, and I’ve already said several times that I acknowledge he is guilty. What I take issue with is the suggestion that his guilt was somehow obvious because he returned home early. That assumption is flawed, anyone under suspicion in America, whether innocent or guilty, would be wise to leave the country quickly.

The trial found him guilty. Not his absconding.

Ireland for one! We have a very very soft judicial system with plenty of people out on bail that shouldn't be out on bail still committing crimes. We also have one of the lowest incarceration rates in Europe, let alone the world. Just look at some of the people out of prison now, Larry Murphy, Anton Mulder, Seamus Dunne, Brian Kearney etc…. That guy that killed his wife in Howth, Eamon Lillis walked out after five years to a fortune due to his wives property!

I know people who've been arrested after being falsely identified.

I know someone who was smashed about by a Garda with a baton (after being falsely identified) and then when went to make a complaint was essentially told in so many words that they'd be a marked man if they did. The Garda even threatened to keep an eye out for his folks car and would get the car clamped/impounded any time he saw it in town.

I know people who've spent fortunes being tied up (quite unnecessarily) in the Irish legal system for years and it nearly breaking them.

I've lived in America (and acted the absolute bollix at times) and traveled around quite a bit since. On our J1 we had the cops at the door at least once a week and no one got into trouble.

Comparisons to North Korea are very silly.

According to Crosbie, Romania.

That's awful for those people. The USA incarcerates around 530 people per 100,000, while Ireland incarcerates about 90 per 100,000. Pro rata, America locks up roughly 6 times more people than Ireland.

I guess any mitigation in this case will be small enough:

First time offender

Gainfully employed and with family

Will be a long way from home/isolated so prison term will be tougher

No additional violence outside of the rape itself (ie an aggravating factor)

Not much really - looks like it’s a possible 5 year minimum term

https://criminaldefense.1800nynylaw.com/areas-of-practice/new-york-criminal-lawyer/new-york-sex-crimes-lawyer/new-york-rape-lawyer/new-york-rape-in-the-first-degree-lawyer/

America is great country if you can afford expensive lawyers, just ask OJ Simpson.

Am I reading this right? San Marino has one person in prison? 😂

He must have been a very bold boy 😂

I'm not really understanding the 'it's awful for his family' type comments.

I mean, I'm sure it is awful for them, but you could say that about any number of criminals.

I don't recall the point being made in other threads about people found guilty of a horrible crime.