Judge Lawprof Utah Lawyer Victims Rights Advocate Conspirator Paul Cassell has made his debut at Volokh, and what a heart-warming reception he’s received. After a hearty “welcome aboard,” they are ripping his lungs out through his derrière.
What? You thought that the libertarians were going to change their stripes?
Paul (boy, calling an ex-judge by his first name comes really hard) posts about his defeat in Antrobus, which I posted about here. Mind you, he didn’t lose the appeal of his clients’ (victims twice removed if you enjoy primogeniture as a means of clarifying relationships) purported right to present their views at the sentencing of the man who sold the gun that was later used to kill their daughter. It’s that his side was so clearly, utterly wrong.
But Paul is still pushing the “victims as second class citizens” argument, which falls a little short of Johnny Cochran quality as a promotional mantra. It’s just not that snappy.
There are many responsive comments to Paul’s position, most taking issue with his facile characterization. But there’s no comment that amuses more than this one:
(link)
Mr. Cassell:
Your title misleads and insults the intelligence of the public. You represent survivors, untapped, potential lawyer customers. The victim is deceased and took all rights to oblivion, courtesy of the criminal, the pal of the criminal lover lawyer. You propose a thinly disguised pretext to increase lawyer employment. Period.
If you wanted to reduce victimization, you would not advocate an explosion in legal procedure. You would advocate an explosion in the death penalty, to reduce the number of vicious predators by attrition. 1.16.2008 1:38am
In fairness, Eugene has blocked SupremacyClaus from posting comments there anymore. Apparently, even Volokh has lines that can’t be crossed. Seriously, this comment does not reflect either the attitude or level of thoughtfulness of their readers, so don’t assume that this is the norm.
Frankly, I think that most people are still being fairly kind to him, despite their polite challenge to his primary concept that the victims are equal partners in the criminal justice system. Of course, as someone pointed out, even if they get to speak, it’s not like anybody has to pay attention to them. But hey, that’s his position and he’s sticking with it.
It may prove quite a shock to Paul Cassell to find what life is like when you aren’t wearing the robe. No more obsequious lawyers kissing butt, laughing at your jokes, caring what you think. This is the rough and tumble world of disembodied ideas and loose talk. So let me add my voice to the chorus: Welcome to the blawgosphere!
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