Good Taste Is Timeless (Mr. Simpson and Planned FOX Interview)

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

is "innocent" an option or just simply "guilty" or "not guilty"? because saying "there wasn't enough solid evidence to convict" is not the same as saying "this person didn't have anything to do with" whatever is in question

Exactly. The options are:

guilty -- meaning the jury finds that the state has proven beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the defendant, and

not guilty -- meaning the jury finds that the state has not proven beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the defendant.

Neither "innocent" nor "totally innocent" are on the verdict sheet.

[AGDee]

But in the civil trial, they did find him to be "responsible", right?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AGDee

But in the civil trial, they did find him to be "responsible", right?

Yes, though "liable" would be the word.

But the standard of proof in a civil trial is "preponderance of the evidence" -- basically meaning "more likely than not" or, if you imagine the scales of justice, that the evidence against him tipped the scales, even if only so slightly. Not nearly as heavy a burden as "beyond a reasonable doubt."