[cindygirl]

Remember this XMA twat? Come on, you've seen the sad XMA docu on Discovery.

Look what I found, he got arrested for child molestation *

I feel sorry for his victims and I wish them well.

[joeyCanada]

What's really sad is that he seemed really talented with what he was doing in the videos. To throw away your whole career and future just to peek in on some underage people is really pitiful.

[hoconnor6605]

My heart goes out to all the individuals and families involved.

This kind of thing makes me sick to my stomach. You join a dojo, club, in fact any extra curricular activity and put your faith and trust in the people in charge. It goes to show how you never can tell about people.

[Creva4k]

Remember this XMA twat? Come on, you've seen the sad XMA docu on Discovery.

Actually I haven't.. i'm too cheap to pay for t.v... if they want 100 channels of commercials in my living room they should pay me to watch them... not the other way around.

Looking at the link i'm suprised they would allow someone to swing a sword around like that so close to spectators.. talk about an accident waiting to happen.

[Ecurrexchangess]

This kind of thing makes me sick to my stomach. You join a dojo, club, in fact any extra curricular activity and put your faith and trust in the people in charge. It goes to show how you never can tell about people.

You can say that again.

Treason to the trust put on a "respected" person because of his martial background is a shocking thing for anyone trying to follow these kind of disciplines, either be a traditional MA or XMA. Even worst when the treason takes form in molesting/abusing minors. Just figure how many people gets dissapointed by martial arts in general and don't wish to try again for the rest of their lives.

They're teachers, guides and councelors.
This is a huge shame and causes anger at the same time, no matter who is the teacher or what particular art he teaches.

[WFSdZuP3]

Remember this XMA twat? Come on, you've seen the sad XMA docu on Discovery.

Look what I found, he got arrested for child molestation *

I feel sorry for his victims and I wish them well.

All of those guys are pretty strange. What an asshole, though.

[bug_user]

While I thought his XMA 'traditional EYe-AE-DO' (as he put it) system was a joke, aren't these just allegations and pending charges at this point?

He hasn't actually been convicted. I don't know the details of the case of course (though the videotaping sounds rather damning) but isn't he still technically innocent until proven guilty? Or did I miss something and he was actually found guilty?

Obviously I'm not condoning the actions but it does sort of seem like we're jumping to conclusions.

[KneefeZes]

While I thought his XMA 'traditional EYe-AE-DO' (as he put it) system was a joke, aren't these just allegations and pending charges at this point?

He hasn't actually been convicted. I don't know the details of the case of course (though the videotaping sounds rather damning) but isn't he still technically innocent until proven guilty? Or did I miss something and he was actually found guilty?

Obviously I'm not condoning the actions but it does sort of seem like we're jumping to conclusions.

Nope.
He did it.
Read it on the innernet.
Must be true then.

[JasminBerkova]

but isn't he still technically innocent until proven guilty?

please, in America, the fine print of the law is "guilty until proven innocent"

sigh, we seriously need some major funds for correctional psychotherapy for *any* individuals who has a mental issue with being attracted to a kid.

[lopezsokero]

Obviously I'm not condoning the actions but it does sort of seem like we're jumping to conclusions.

I try not to, and personally I replied to Lounge's post, speaking generally regarding the trust put on any "teacher".

Sadly, this is not the first and most surely not the last case of this kind to happen.

[Payodcapy542fro]

...isn't he still technically innocent until proven guilty? Or did I miss something and he was actually found guilty?

Obviously I'm not condoning the actions but it does sort of seem like we're jumping to conclusions.

Hi Ic_fow, my heart does go out to the individuals and families involved because they are being dragged through the courts and publicly announcing the charges! I never screamed guilty, I merely stated that my post said

This kind of thing...

does happen and it does make me sick to my stomach!!

Sorry if this seems a little 'on the defensive' but I wanted to make sure my post was not misunderstood

And yes, you are right

[worldofwarcraft]

Lounge:

No that's fine just asking.
I feel really badly for the families myself.

[SarSerceSaice]

. . .but isn't he still technically innocent until proven guilty?

Just to prove that this forum can be educational let me point out that many people, including some judges, will say "innocent until proven guilty". That is incorrect. The proper maxim is "innocent unless proven guilty".

To many, whose attention to detail and precision in language is not important, it would seem to be a distinction without a difference. However, if we look at it carefully we see that there is a fundamental difference. The word until implies that it is simply a matter of time, i.e. "he is presumed innocent so let's get all this testimony shit overwith so we can convict him". On the other hand, unless is exclusive. "If the evidence does not prove each and every element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt we must acquit."

Next lesson: Innocent and not guilty are not synonyms. There is no "innocent" verdict.

[sStevenRitziI]

Just to prove that this forum can be educational let me point out that many people, including some judges, will say "innocent until proven guilty". That is incorrect. The proper maxim is "innocent unless proven guilty".

To many, whose attention to detail and precision in language is not important, it would seem to be a distinction without a difference. However, if we look at it carefully we see that there is a fundamental difference. The word until implies that it is simply a matter of time, i.e. "he is presumed innocent so let's get all this testimony shit overwith so we can convict him". On the other hand, unless is exclusive. "If the evidence does not prove each and every element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt we must acquit."

Next lesson: Innocent and not guilty are not synonyms. There is no "innocent" verdict.

Now for the important stuff. If you want to get off jury duty, during voir dire, when asked if you can impartially decide the case say; "Police don't arrest people if they aren't guilty". The judge will smile and they will send you home.

[AllAdobeOEMSoftDownload]

Now for the important stuff. If you want to get off jury duty, during voir dire, when asked if you can impartially decide the case say; "Police don't arrest people if they aren't guilty". The judge will smile and they will send you home.

As I understand it, the phrase "Jury Nullification Of Law" will not only get you sent home, but also any member(s) of a jury pool within earshot.

I'm not telling anybody to do that, though, you're all responsible for your own actions

[myspacecoo]

As I understand it, the phrase "Jury Nullification Of Law" will not only get you sent home, but also any member(s) of a jury pool within earshot.

I'm not telling anybody to do that, though, you're all responsible for your own actions

I think that Kentucky and another state specifically allow jury nullification (essentially not guilty because the law is stupid).
The trial of John Peter Zenger is important in the history of jurisprudence and in the history of the American Revolution. Zenger was accused of seditious libel and was tried. The English law provided that truth was not a defense.
His lawyer admitted the facts and in his summation to the jury said:

"But to conclude: The question before the Court and you, Gentlemen of the jury, is not of small or private concern. It is not the cause of one poor printer, nor of New York alone, which you are now trying. No! It may in its consequence affect every free man that lives under a British government on the main of America. It is the best cause. It is the cause of liberty. And I make no doubt but your upright conduct this day will not only entitle you to the love and esteem of your fellow citizens, but every man who prefers freedom to a life of slavery will bless and honor you as men who have baffled the attempt of tyranny, and by an impartial and uncorrupt verdict have laid a noble foundation for securing to ourselves, our posterity, and our neighbors, that to which nature and the laws of our country have given us a right to liberty of both exposing and opposing arbitrary power (in these parts of the world at least) by speaking and writing truth."

The Court instructed the jury to return with a verdict of "Guilty",

The jury returned a verdict of "Not Guilty"

Over the last couple hundred years we seem to have forgotten that this is how we started. Damn I love this shit.

[KignPeeseeamn]

Just figure how many people gets dissapointed by martial arts in general and don't wish to try again for the rest of their lives.

Thats almost me - but it is the reason I started Kendo 20 years too late......


on a less serious note: lock up all the XMA'ers to avoid confusion

[jamemeveRhype]

Thanks for the background information, Ignatz I didn't know about that up to now. All I knew about was "U.S. v. Moylan".

[TOPERink]

Thanks for the background information, Ignatz I didn't know about that up to now. All I knew about was "U.S. v. Moylan".

On a more practical level, jury nullification is sometimes used effectively but is called the "He needed killing" defense.