I was just reading about Miranda warnings, looking for evidence that we don’t lose our rights if we’re arrested for murder, much less when we join a homeowners association. I’ve seen a surprising number of Americans suggesting otherwise today. But much more interesting than a “Satanic” peace wreath (I totally saw that coming) was this:
Ten years after the ruling in the case that bears his name, Miranda was killed in a knife fight at a Phoenix bar; his suspected killer was read the “Miranda warning” and declined to give a statement. He was released and promptly fled to Mexico. The Miranda murder case became a “closed file.”
That’s the problem with rights: everyone has them.
great of a guy. I wouldn't call his death a tragedy, ironic maybe.
Did Miranda kidnap and rape a teenage girl? According to that article, the only evidence that he did was his confession, and false confessions weren't at all unusual prior to Miranda warnings. Personally, I'm willing to presume he was guilty, but I sure don't want that standard applied to me when someone accuses me of a crime I didn't commit. That tension is what I mean by "the problem with rights."
and still found guilty.
He was sentenced to thirty years in the second trial, which wasn't double jeopardy because there was new evidence - he confessed to his wife. But he was released on parole after less than ten years. Then he was arrested again for possession of a gun, but the charges were dropped, so he only went back for one year on parole violation. Then he got out just in time to get killed.
So the justice system apparently worked reasonably well up until his parole hearing.