The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - BATF RAIDS MAADI-GRIFFIN (part 2)

Futo Inu · June 21, 2000, 11:24 AM

[Assuming story is true] Well, he's a hero and martyr in my mind, but the problem is HE PLEA-BARGAINED TO A FELONY!! LawDog is correct that he made his big mistake there, and should have fought the system hard THEN! The law making him a felon is/was unconstitutional, not to even mention the complete entrapment that occurred. But never ever ever plea to something you're not guilty of, unless you're prepared to face the consequences. Once you're convicted, it's over, and you can't go back and re-litigate the conviction, no matter how unconst. (with rare exception). I support this guy and his ideals 100%, because he's done nothing but exercise his constitutional right, but acknowledge that if he loses (and he probably will), it's because of a mistake he apparently made.

June 21, 2000, 11:24 AM	#7
Futo Inu Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 1999 Location: Oklahoma City, OK, USA Posts: 3,624	[Assuming story is true] Well, he's a hero and martyr in my mind, but the problem is HE PLEA-BARGAINED TO A FELONY!! LawDog is correct that he made his big mistake there, and should have fought the system hard THEN! The law making him a felon is/was unconstitutional, not to even mention the complete entrapment that occurred. But never ever ever plea to something you're not guilty of, unless you're prepared to face the consequences. Once you're convicted, it's over, and you can't go back and re-litigate the conviction, no matter how unconst. (with rare exception). I support this guy and his ideals 100%, because he's done nothing but exercise his constitutional right, but acknowledge that if he loses (and he probably will), it's because of a mistake he apparently made.