Benjamin Mendy - Not guilty on re-trial | NOT a thread about MG

Look, if you have the protection of a presumption of innocence, you are by definition, innocent - until proven guilty. If you are not proven guilty and never stopped being presumptively innocent, then a not guilty verdict means/implies you are innocent even if those words are not used.

Again, that just isn't correct.

Here's one explanation of why the words "innocent" and "not guilty" mean different things in a legal context. But if you just type "difference between innocent and not guilty" into google you'll see thousands more. It isn't some obscure legal technicality, it's a basic principle of how the law works.

What I said was:

1. There is a presumption of innocence.

2. That a guilty verdict implies you continue to be presumed innocent

Which part of this is not correct? If anything the source you've shared supports my position.

When you've been charged of a crime, you are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. By the end of a criminal trial, you will either be declared "guilty" or "not guilty." Technically, the court never declares someone "innocent" because it is not necessary to prove actual innocence in order to be acquitted.

An outright finding of innocence is not a thing but the reason you don't have to prove your innocence and the entire burden falls on the prosecution is because, the Court already presumes you are innocent, and if nothing happens to change that, that's how you'll stay.

Literally, your source says you are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty - has Mendy been proven guilty? Why would he not be assumed to be innocent??
 
While rape cases are difficult to prove, I don't think it's ok to just assume that every guy accused must be guilty. Or even to leave the "oh well he's not guilty, doesn't mean he's innocent" hanging over him forever.

At the end of the day, the evidence was heard and seen, and the conclusion was that he wasn't guilty of rape. That's really all we can know for sure and he shouldn't have this hang over his head forever like so many others who have had their lives ruined despite not being found guilty of any wrongdoing.

Can't imagine how awful it must be for a woman who is raped, but similarly it can't imagine how it must feel to have everyone think you're a monster.

Kinda agree but I think it's pretty clear Mendy is a wrongun though, he's not guilty of rape but he is guilty of being a scummy individual. He deserves to be known as a scumbag, but he doesn't deserve to be known as a rapist. I don't really feel as much sympathy for super wealthy individuals who have the luxury of hiring the best legal team, they can afford to relocate, retire, hire security, whatever the hell they choose. Its ordinary people who get properly ruined by such allegations.
 
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You're presumed innocent, yes, you're not found innocent. So on the basis that they could not prove your guilt, you are, in the eyes of the law, presumed to be innocent. That's not the same as saying "the person is innocent of the crime."

What if a person is found not guilty, but is then ordered by a civil court to pay damages for the crime they were found not guilty of. Should we still presume them innocent? Isn't it terribly unfair for someone to be ordered to pay damages for a crime they're presumed innocent of committing?

You raise a valid point here, but again, remember that civil courts play by different, much less stringent rules.
 
What would give you that impression? You're already presumed innocent by Court from the moment you walk in. You may be the one on the stand but in reality, it is the prosecution who has a case to prove.

https://www.amacdonaldlaw.com/blog/2016/may/what-is-the-difference-between-innocent-and-not-/#:~:text=In short, "not guilty",but rather “not guilty”.

Now don't get me wrong I think we should be presuming Mendy innocent and I think its a travesty peope will always have the not guilty isn't innocent arguments. As far as I'm concerned as I said earlier its horrible for him that people now jump to this on some pedantic wording. For me having read a lot of the case as its been ongoing after initially presuming so many cases meant guilt, I feel like I owe the man an apology and in my eyes he's innocent but being pedantic to the letter of the law he's technically not guilty and they aren't the same.

It actually makes me think there should be a 3rd "innocent" verdict possible.
 
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https://www.amacdonaldlaw.com/blog/2016/may/what-is-the-difference-between-innocent-and-not-/#:~:text=In short, "not guilty",but rather “not guilty”.

Now don't get me wrong I think we should be presuming Mendy innocent and I think its a travesty peope will always have the not guilty isn't innocent arguments. As far as I'm concerned as I said earlier its horrible for him that people now jump to this on some pedantic wording. For me having read a lot of the case as its been ongoing after initially presuming so many cases meant guilt, I feel like I owe the man an apology and in my eyes he's innocent but being pedantic to the letter of the law he's technically not guilty and they aren't the same.

It actually makes me think there should be a 3rd "innocent" verdict possible.
That defeats the point of innocent until proven guilty which is the bedrock of our legal system.
 
What I said was:

1. There is a presumption of innocence.

2. That a guilty verdict implies you continue to be presumed innocent

Which part of this is not correct? If anything the source you've shared supports my position.

When you've been charged of a crime, you are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. By the end of a criminal trial, you will either be declared "guilty" or "not guilty." Technically, the court never declares someone "innocent" because it is not necessary to prove actual innocence in order to be acquitted.

An outright finding of innocence is not a thing but the reason you don't have to prove your innocence and the entire burden falls on the prosecution is because, the Court already presumes you are innocent, and if nothing happens to change that, that's how you'll stay.

Literally, your source says you are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty - has Mendy been proven guilty? Why would he not be assumed to be innocent??

First you said:

They're synonymous, aren't they? The definition of innocent is not guilty.
There's absolutely no difference.

Guilty means you did it. Not guilty means you didn't do it.
These are ordinary English words with no special legal meaning. But if you know of special legal meanings, do share your sources.

All of this is proven incorrect by the source I gave you. Not guilty and innocent explicitly mean different thing in a legal context, as explained.

You also said:

if you have the protection of a presumption of innocence, you are by definition, innocent

This is also incorrect. The presumption of innocence means that until you are found to be guilty you will be legally viewed as innocent, and that burden of proof lies with the prosecutor to prove you are not. That doesn't mean you are, in fact, innocent. Or that the court have or will at any point determine you to be innocent.

If you are not proven guilty and never stopped being presumptively innocent, then a not guilty verdict means/implies you are innocent even if those words are not used.

Again, not true. The only thing a not guilty vedict means is the jury weren't certain you were guilty. Nothing else. And because of that lack of certainty, there is a legal obligation to continue treating you as if you are innocent. But the court following the requirement to treat you as innocent isn't the same as the court actually deeming you to be innocent.

At least four posters have responded to you explaining why you are wrong, and you have the entire internet there to further explain it too. I will struggle to explain it any more than they have or will.
 
You're presumed innocent, yes, you're not found innocent. So on the basis that they could not prove your guilt, you are, in the eyes of the law, presumed to be innocent. That's not the same as saying "the person is innocent of the crime."

What if a person is found not guilty, but is then ordered by a civil court to pay damages for the crime they were found not guilty of. Should we still presume them innocent? Isn't it terribly unfair for someone to be ordered to pay damages for a crime they're presumed innocent of committing?
They have very different standards of proof.
Beyond a reasonable doubt = 90% or so...bit subjective. Criminal
By a preponderance of the evidence = 51% Civil
I'm guessing mentioning other cases isn't ideal on here, so apologies, but while the civil court has been raised - that's what doesn't sit well with me about the David Goodwillie verdict.

There wasn't confidence of proving guilt at a criminal court so there wasn't a trial there. But, instead, in an unprecedented move, they allowed a civil case on it so had just one judge decide whether, in his 'opinion', someone should be judged a rapist, put on the sex offenders register, have their career and reputation tarnished, etc.

All based on how one judge interpreted (basically, have a 'best guess') a they said / she said, was she too drunk (they were all drunk) for her consent to be valid, situation.

Don't personally think a civil case, without a jury or a burden of proof, should be deciding on something like that. It should be in a criminal court, with a jury and a burden of proof on the crown to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
 
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First you said:





All of this is proven incorrect by the source I gave you. Not guilty and innocent explicitly mean different thing in a legal context, as explained.

You also said:



This is also incorrect. The presumption of innocence means that until you are found to be guilty you will be legally viewed as innocent, and that burden of proof lies with the prosecutor to prove you are not. That doesn't mean you are, in fact, innocent. Or that the court have or will at any point determine you to be innocent.



Again, not true. The only thing a not guilty vedict means is the jury weren't certain you were guilty. Nothing else. And because of that lack of certainty, there is a legal obligation to continue treating you as if you are innocent. But the court following the requirement to treat you as innocent isn't the same as the court actually deeming you to be innocent.

At least four posters have responded to you explaining why you are wrong, and you have the entire internet there to further explain it too. I will struggle to explain it any more than they have or will.

Not forcing you to "explain" anything so feel free to walk away mate. No idea why you think anyone is obliged to listen to the views of four persons off the internet either.

There's also no point quoting all my previous responses without the context of what I was responding to which has meant a slight evolution in my arguments as I've responded to different issues and questions.

I am not arguing that the not guilty verdict means definitive innocence. My position, for at least the last four entries on this thread, has been that the not-guilty verdict gives rise to an implied innocence.

Happy to agree to disagree. Cheers.
 
So by forgetting to get consent you mean he forget to get her to say on video that she gave consent? I mean, it's actually very smart from his agents and minders. Especially in this day and age where your life can be ruined simply by a woman deciding to retroactively withdraw consent AFTER having consensual sex, or when an accusation will be made publicly whether you did it or not first, before going to the police, if it ever does anyway. But it is sad that this is what a lot of famous and rich men resort to.

Basically yeah. Although I don't think it's limited to video consent. Some sign a paper some just give a WhatsApp type message etc. Apparently all organised before the women are let in to the parties etc. The organisers are agents, security etc. In Mendy's case his brother.

This isn't limited to footballers. I've heard likes of Robbie Williams and Russell brand say similar. I forget the name but a female presenter said she used to be taken to sex parties and had to sign similar.

It's a different world for most of us
 
Many people owe an apology to Mendy. We were all almost unanimously found Mendy guilty by just reading the news. He was condemned 2 years ago and also suspended/released by his clubs.

And now even after the court give the verdict of not guilty we still have people foaming in the mouth somehow telling people he is not "innocent".

We have another certain someone who is in this exact situation.
 
I'm fully aware that innocent until proven guilty isn't a legal term. I was using it from the point of view of the 'Court of Public Opinion' who, as you indicate, are more than happy to decide a person is guilty as hell without hearing much of the evidence that led to the not guilty verdict.

It just seems to be in cases like this at the moment that, as soon as an accusation is made, Court of Public Opinion decides they're guilty and regardless of whether it goes to court, or they're found not guilty, it doesn't matter because they're still seen as 'guilty but got away with it'.

People can see that as progress in fighting for the victims rights. But the flaw in that is it presumes who the victim is from the start - but until the evidence has been heard and a ruling made, that's an unknown. But by then, if you've already decided from the start who's the victim and who's the guilty party, then the only verdict you'll accept is guilty. That's 'proof'. Not guilty - that just means they got away with it and justice hasn't been served.

That's turning it pretty much into the old witch trial dilemma where it's set up in such a way that the accused is going to be found / deemed guilty one way or another.

Couldn't agree more. It's embarrassing listening to people jumping through hoops to make the distinction that someone who 'had charges dropped' is not innocent and also someone who goes on trial and is acquitted is also 'not innocent'. So basically no smoke without fire. Once an allegation has been made against someone. People have made up their mind and that's it. We all heard the audio "burn him".Why would the victims lie? "Hang him"

I happen to know a teacher accused of sexual misconduct who lost his job and almost took his life based on how they were treated. The allegations were later proved to be false and he was exhonerated of all charges. But that hasn't stopped all the rumours and name calling and he said he will never teach again. Not because he's not allowed to, but because of the rumours that have never stopped even after said acquittal. As a teacher myself this scares the life out of me.

We need to be mindful of victims but also mindful that any one of us could be falsely accused of a crime and no assumption of guilt should come with that.
 
If he is not guilty, do the women then get charged with lying to the courts etc? There is obviously a reason why they don’t.
 
At least he can get on with his life now.
Well you would think so but apparently not. Members of 'The Caf' have decided that no matter what decision of the court was, he is 'not innocent' and therefore guilty. His public execution date has yet to be finalised by said caf members but it's thought that if his appeal is successful then this may be reduced to a public flogging.
 
I thought he done considering the number of allegations, people don't beat 8 charges everyday. He needs help, you can't have that many women complain about you for no reason.
I think his life style needs to be question but being a rapist, he has been found not guilty and reading the Guardian article kind of reinforced my belief that he was quite loose with his sex life and unfortunately it has come to bite him.
I wish him well and I hope he is able to make sense of his career or whatever is left of it.
 
While I accept innocent until proven guilty, you can't think of this decision without the knowledge that most rape cases do not get convicted because of lack of evidence as the burden of proof is on the victim.

I don't know if that was that case here, though I heard for one there was pretty clear proof that the sex was consensual.
 
Many people owe an apology to Mendy. We were all almost unanimously found Mendy guilty by just reading the news. He was condemned 2 years ago and also suspended/released by his clubs.

And now even after the court give the verdict of not guilty we still have people foaming in the mouth somehow telling people he is not "innocent".

We have another certain someone who is in this exact situation.
The most depressing thing about this result is all the men using this to vindicate other men accused of rape.
 
While I accept innocent until proven guilty, you can't think of this decision without the knowledge that most rape cases do not get convicted because of lack of evidence as the burden of proof is on the victim.

I don't know if that was that case here, though I heard for one there was pretty clear proof that the sex was consensual.

Just remember, when getting to court the conviction rate is well above 60%. The things you mention is before getting to court.
 
If he is not guilty, do the women then get charged with lying to the courts etc? There is obviously a reason why they don’t.
They should do. You can’t go around saying what ever you want and ruin someone’s life.
 
Feel bad for him. I’ve met him before. Been on a night out with him. Very nice guy. On the night out he was actively looking to get laid. Nothing wrong in that, and it definitely looked like the girl he was with on that specific night was all over him.

I think this is clearly a story of a ‘celebrity’ sleeping with a hell of a lot of women and a few have tried to make money off him.
 
If find it hard to understand how 10 different women can accuse him of the same crime and none of it be true? I’m not at all saying he’s guilty, I have no idea as I didn’t follow the case closely but 10 women all made up the same story about him and all were lying?
 
If we’re waiting for the right moment to announce Greenwood’s return this is probably it.
 
If find it hard to understand how 10 different women can accuse him of the same crime and none of it be true? I’m not at all saying he’s guilty, I have no idea as I didn’t follow the case closely but 10 women all made up the same story about him and all were lying?

It was 13 I think. I find it hard to comprehend as well, but it's not impossible given his lifestyle and the fact he was cleared. I'm guessing many of those encounters involved drinking where the boundaries of consent can get blurred. It's possible that he did cross some boundaries but it couldn't be proven.

In the trial is came out that he told someone he slept with 10,000 women! Even if it's "only" 1/10th of that it isn't completely absurd that he'd get involved with more than a few looking to take advantage. Maybe some of the 13 were and some weren't, we'll never know it seems.
 
If find it hard to understand how 10 different women can accuse him of the same crime and none of it be true? I’m not at all saying he’s guilty, I have no idea as I didn’t follow the case closely but 10 women all made up the same story about him and all were lying?

The arguments from the defense, as I understand, was that:
  • There was connection between the accusations (contact between the women, for example) so they are not truly independent.
  • Some of the accusations were seemingly contradicted by evidence that was presented during trial.
 
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I don't get the above comments of people arguing over "the words". Not guilty clearly doesn't mean that the person is 100% innocent, it means that guilt can't be proven "beyond a reasonable doubt". However, the bedrock of our legal system is "innocent until proven guilty" and so by the very definition of this, if you're not proven guilty, you are innocent - it's what the words actually say!

Obviously some lifestyle question marks with the amount of sexual interactions and the group sex stuff - however that's not legal problem.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him in Saudi come the new season.