LYNCH-MOB MENTALITY?

Has the pillorying of Judge Gilbert been the result of his "puffing on a
joint," or his candid admission of it and cooperation with public
officials? What if he had remained silent and waited for official
prosecution? Who would be the complaining witness? Would cross-examination
produce some embarrassment if not self-incriminatory statements from
prosecutorial witnesses? How would a jury vote? There is no question but
that his conduct has been an embarrassment to all of us who are members of
the local legal profession, judges and lawyers alike. As victims of the
offense all members of the local legal profession are disqualified from
sitting in judgment of the case. Has the "trial by newspaper" honored our
concept of due process or reflected justice and mercy, or lynch mob mentality?

Boyd C. Baird

Traverse City