Brutkey

Alan T Perry 🇨🇦
@alantperry@mstdn.ca

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us
Perhaps I'm missing something but would not the decision on guilt vs innocence and any sentence levied be matters for the courts to decide?

Emeritus Prof Christopher May
@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us

@alantperry@mstdn.ca

There are intervening issues; the role of juries (if these are jury trials), the finding of facts - were they really 'supporting' PA, and of course the views of the judge on the issue of mitigation.... which (in climate related cases has of course been ruled as irrelevant)

Alan T Perry 🇨🇦
@alantperry@mstdn.ca

@ChrisMayLA6@zirk.us

Yes, but my point was it's not the government's role to determine whether those arrested are guilty or, if so, what the penalty will be. The quoted comment downplaying the probable sentence for those arrested presumes guilt and usurps the court's role in sentencing. The government has done its work (well or badly), the police have done theirs (well or badly), now let the courts do their work.

(And, of course, as you and others have pointed out, the mere finding of guilt carries consequences beyond any penalty levied.)