Post by lace on Aug 4, 2006 21:13:56 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]Domestic violence display at courthhouse draws complaint
Associated Press[/glow]
ELYRIA, Ohio - A lawyer is challenging a display of 24 wooden silhouettes in the county courthouse representing victims of domestic violence, saying it will prejudice jurors.
[glow=red,2,300]The Silent Witness display puts up the life-size cutouts twice a year as part of a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence issues. [/glow]
After the display appeared in the Lorain County Courthouse in April, attorney Chris Crobaugh lodged a complaint with the Lorain County Bar Association.
The complaint was first reported Tuesday in The Chronicle-Telegram.
"I can't imagine anybody with a law degree could be comfortable with that kind of juror influence on the way to a courtroom," he said. "The whole idea of the court system is it's sterile."
The bar association is evaluating the complaint, president Gayle Reeve said. Meanwhile, the silhouettes are to go back on display in October, said Marilyn Zeidner, who directs the local shelter that sponsors the display.
In the past, the display was at the Lorain Community College and the county administration building. It made the jump to the county's new justice center in 2004.
Sponsors say the location exposes more people to the display, and prosecutors say the display is appropriate because it does a public service.
[glow=red,2,300]The Silent Witness National Initiative acknowledges placing the displays in courthouses has been controversial. A similar display in St. Paul, Minn. was moved after it prompted outcry.[/glow]
County administrator Jim Cordes says he will work with everyone concerned to determine the best location for the display.
"We have to take a serious look at whether it's actually influencing juries or whether it's a perceived influence," he said. "The county has an obligation to support those causes that try to limit and end domestic violence, but we also have to support people getting a fair trial."
www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/15183341.htm
Associated Press[/glow]
ELYRIA, Ohio - A lawyer is challenging a display of 24 wooden silhouettes in the county courthouse representing victims of domestic violence, saying it will prejudice jurors.
[glow=red,2,300]The Silent Witness display puts up the life-size cutouts twice a year as part of a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence issues. [/glow]
After the display appeared in the Lorain County Courthouse in April, attorney Chris Crobaugh lodged a complaint with the Lorain County Bar Association.
The complaint was first reported Tuesday in The Chronicle-Telegram.
"I can't imagine anybody with a law degree could be comfortable with that kind of juror influence on the way to a courtroom," he said. "The whole idea of the court system is it's sterile."
The bar association is evaluating the complaint, president Gayle Reeve said. Meanwhile, the silhouettes are to go back on display in October, said Marilyn Zeidner, who directs the local shelter that sponsors the display.
In the past, the display was at the Lorain Community College and the county administration building. It made the jump to the county's new justice center in 2004.
Sponsors say the location exposes more people to the display, and prosecutors say the display is appropriate because it does a public service.
[glow=red,2,300]The Silent Witness National Initiative acknowledges placing the displays in courthouses has been controversial. A similar display in St. Paul, Minn. was moved after it prompted outcry.[/glow]
County administrator Jim Cordes says he will work with everyone concerned to determine the best location for the display.
"We have to take a serious look at whether it's actually influencing juries or whether it's a perceived influence," he said. "The county has an obligation to support those causes that try to limit and end domestic violence, but we also have to support people getting a fair trial."
www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/15183341.htm