Jury nullification is the term for when a jury declines to convict a defendant despite overwhelming evidence of guilt. This can be a form of civil disobedience, a political statement against a specific law, or a show of empathy and support to the defendant.

“It’s not a legal defense sanctioned under the law,” said Cheryl Bader, associate professor of law at Fordham School of Law. “It’s a reaction by the jury to a legal result that they feel would be so unjust or morally wrong that they refuse to impose it, despite what the law says.”

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    3417 hours ago

    Never thought I’d see a mainstream outlet discussing this. There’s less plausible deniability for potential jurors now

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      66 hours ago

      I am confident some evidence will be debatable. It’s quite possible that jurors can honestly say they aren’t convinced beyond a reasonable doubt. The arrest alone is bizarre, and the trial will bring all sorts of things.

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        13 hours ago

        Welcome to the United States of America, where the justice system is a cruel and unusual joke and only for the working class.