'Whimsical' rape creates 'temporary' craze
- Source: Global Times
- [01:18 November 17 2009]
- Comments
It's just the tip of the iceberg, argued another web user, characterizing the sentencing as a clear example of officials protecting officials.
"The response and treatment by the administrative and legal organs and departments should not temporarily run ahead of public opinion, they should always do so. I hope the judgment made by the intermediate court of Huzhou will not be temporary verdict," wrote "Huangbaoyang" at the online forum.
"This is a positive sign," said Xu Jiuxin, a criminal law professor at China University of Political Science and Law. "Some of the Internet users are keen on identifying problems with everyday news.
"Their ideas and analysis are very professional sometimes. So if we can filter the real constructive ideas out of the online forum, it will prove conducive to the development of the legal system in our country."
Double jeopardy
To ensure independent judgment in the retrial, the court must maintain its authority in delivering an objective and legal verdict in the face of such a strong public opinion.
"If a majority of the public favor the victims and believe that the first verdict is vicious and unfair, then the two police assistants are a disadvantaged group in this case. So the court must maintain its professional dignity in re-trying the case, or it may lead to something all sides would not really hope to see," Ruan said.
"Eloquent opinion should not be based on rootless suspicions without proper research. Nonetheless, I still believe it should be encouraged for web users to express their ideas on the Internet.
