03-04-2021, 11:37 AM
There are no winners here.
The problem is that the vast majority of assault allegations are probably true.
What reason would you put yourself through the associated trauma of investigation and trial if they weren't true
Two reasons only....in an unstable mind you believe the assault did occur or revenge/vindictiveness.
The woman involved has taken her own life...apparently shortly after she said she didn't want to proceed with the allegation, so you would have to think that this episode had a profound effect on her subsequent actions.
On the other hand if you're innocent of such an allegation, your life and career are virtually over.
Imagine the feeling you would have if you were accused of something like that and it hadn't occurred.
In the court of public opinion you're already tried and convicted.
Porter's position is untenable.
He's a marked man...investigation or not.
Mentally he's shot and he has no future.
Folks have already made up their minds.
For Morrison he's damaged by his inaction... but what would an independent investigation establish?
There are two people who know what happened some thirty years ago.
One is dead, the other vehemently denies the events occurred....everything else is second hand.
Folks making judgements based on body language or past perceptions should carry little weight because these could well be based on personal bias or negative interactions with the individual.
In the end such an enquiry may make a determination of likely guilt...the decision would probably be based on a much looser form of evidence than a criminal trial.
But having already determined there is no case would the police look at further action...doubtful!
Bottom line is that a woman has taken her life, Porter (guilty or not) is forever marked, Morrison is left damaged....you can only imagine at the distress of the poor woman's family.
The thing that concerns me is that we're left with this dilemma.
We have to have a system that allows victims of sexual assault to feel comfortable in coming forward with their allegations...and have an expectation of receiving a fair hearing and justice.
On the other hand we're heading towards a situation where an allegation alone is enough to destroy a career, mental health and in some cases a life.
I don't know how you manage that.
No winners.
The problem is that the vast majority of assault allegations are probably true.
What reason would you put yourself through the associated trauma of investigation and trial if they weren't true
Two reasons only....in an unstable mind you believe the assault did occur or revenge/vindictiveness.
The woman involved has taken her own life...apparently shortly after she said she didn't want to proceed with the allegation, so you would have to think that this episode had a profound effect on her subsequent actions.
On the other hand if you're innocent of such an allegation, your life and career are virtually over.
Imagine the feeling you would have if you were accused of something like that and it hadn't occurred.
In the court of public opinion you're already tried and convicted.
Porter's position is untenable.
He's a marked man...investigation or not.
Mentally he's shot and he has no future.
Folks have already made up their minds.
For Morrison he's damaged by his inaction... but what would an independent investigation establish?
There are two people who know what happened some thirty years ago.
One is dead, the other vehemently denies the events occurred....everything else is second hand.
Folks making judgements based on body language or past perceptions should carry little weight because these could well be based on personal bias or negative interactions with the individual.
In the end such an enquiry may make a determination of likely guilt...the decision would probably be based on a much looser form of evidence than a criminal trial.
But having already determined there is no case would the police look at further action...doubtful!
Bottom line is that a woman has taken her life, Porter (guilty or not) is forever marked, Morrison is left damaged....you can only imagine at the distress of the poor woman's family.
The thing that concerns me is that we're left with this dilemma.
We have to have a system that allows victims of sexual assault to feel comfortable in coming forward with their allegations...and have an expectation of receiving a fair hearing and justice.
On the other hand we're heading towards a situation where an allegation alone is enough to destroy a career, mental health and in some cases a life.
I don't know how you manage that.
No winners.