Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

dpibel

(2,831 posts)
Sat Feb 13, 2021, 07:50 PM Feb 2021

Mitch admits jury nullification

When McConnell (or any other senator) says he voted to acquit because of the jurisdictional question, he is admitting to engaging in jury nullification.

As Raskin pointed out, the Senate vote at the beginning of the trial established that, for purposes of this case, the Senate did, in fact, have jurisdiction over a former president.

McConnell's position is no different than that of a juror who, despite being instructed by the court to return a verdict based solely on the facts and the law before the jury, votes contrary to the law.

Interesting that van der Veen, who caterwauled mightily about how things run in courtrooms actually argued that the senators were allowed to ignore the established law. In a courtroom, any attorney who advocated jury nullification would be shut down right quick.

Obviously, jury nullification happens. But the juror who admits engaging in it is a fool.

Oh. Right. Mitch McConnell...

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Mitch admits jury nullification (Original Post) dpibel Feb 2021 OP
Moscow Mitch is trying to have it both ways. The Velveteen Ocelot Feb 2021 #1

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,661 posts)
1. Moscow Mitch is trying to have it both ways.
Sat Feb 13, 2021, 07:55 PM
Feb 2021

It's well-known that he can't stand Trump and wishes he would go away. But Mitch also wants to retain his power in the GOP (power is Mitch's special favorite thing). So he's trying to placate the MAGAts whose support he needs by refusing to convict Trump on jurisdictional grounds (notwithstanding that the issue was already decided against him) while also trying to make it difficult for Trump to run for office again.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Mitch admits jury nullifi...