Witnesses For The Prosecution - Two Views

Recall a few weeks ago I wrote a post about the use of "Confidential Informants" and how the writer viewed them as problematic?

Newspaper opinion writer Errol Lewis made the call for regulation of these information sources because so much of the CI's testimony is tainted.  They often receive reduced charges and/or sentences in exchange for their testimony.

TODAY I would like to introduce the other end of that argument.  An argument that you are not likely to hear from a Black Establishment journalist or opinion writer.

Witnesses Fear Reprisals.   This submission in the Philadelphia Inquirer series provides the most glaring condemnation upon the managers of the "eco-system" of Philadelphia and most other urban areas.  I realize that some of you all are tired of me characterizing everything as a failure upon the "Black Establishment".   My rebuttal of this claim is that I ask you to read the link above and then tell me if this systematic "witness intimidation" would be permitted by the NAACP and other social justice groups were it not for the fact that the majority of this is happening in the context of "Black on Black" crime and community suppression?

The truth is that the Philadelphia Police and District Attorney are not going to be able to afford protection of all of the witnesses under discussion in the article.  The COMMUNITY must play a part in regulating the human resources within their borders to assure that JUSTICE is ultimately rendered and that PEACE is ultimately maintained.

So much of the theories of "justice at all costs" are thrown out the window in the case of these incidents that are up close and personal" and a direct assault upon our communities.