ATHLETIC ASSHOLES

[HairOfTheDog]

I think the kid has no chance at a fair defense or unbiased trial by his peers. I think public perception is against him, and his best recourse is to plea.

I disagree Cutz. Johnson can definitely get a fair trial, by judge or jury.

Public perception always exists when a story is in the public eye. But, public perception doesn't deliver the verdict for a jury which is selected by the defense and the prosecution to hear the evidence from both sides and apply the law.

A lot of people, for example, insisted that George Zimmerman couldn't get a fair trial and would be convicted because of media coverage and public opinion. They were wrong. He did get a fair trial, in Florida, with a self-defense claim for using force without retreat. That case had much more public exposure and the crime charged was much more serious than Johnson's case.

I think Johnson's best recourse is to plead out if he and his attorney know the evidence and the law is working against him. Or, if he was engaged in illegal behavior which could come about in the course of the trial. Or, if he just wants to put it behind him. He's already apologized and admitted that he should have walked away, so I could see him taking a plea. But, the fact that Jose Baez is on the case now leads me to believe that he might be looking to put up a not-guilty defense instead.