"Alleged" . . .

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Originally posted by Tomme73:
The use of this word is getting ridiculous. The newest example concerns all the news reports regarding the school shooting in Madison. Todd Brown wasn't "allegedly" shot. He WAS shot. The other punk who shot him didn't "allegedly" do it. He DID it. There were these things called "witnesses" who actually saw this take place. The only time someone could have allegedly done anything is if there were no witnesses or the only witnesses are dead. One kid shot another kid, did so with actions that were COMEPLETELY premeditated, knowing what could happen as a result of his actions, and SHOULD be charged to the fullest extent of the law AS an ADULT.

quote:

Originally posted by NashBama:
Innocent until proven guilty.

Journalists do this to avoid lawsuits. It's also not their job to convict the person accused of a crime before they receive a fair trial.

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I understand your point, but the victim WAS shot. He was not allegedly shot.

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Originally posted by lawguy07:
Or perhaps that the person was an alleged victim. Please don't jump all over me for this, but most defense attorneys will object to the use of the word "victim" before and during trial because it pre-supposes the defendant's guilt. Until the defendant is found guilty (or pleads guilty), then the person the State represents is not technically the "victim" of the defendant's crime. If it's a SODDI defense (some other dude did it), then the person could be a victim, but not of THIS defendant. I know it sounds like semantics but we get touchy about the use of words like victim while the defendant still has a presumption of innocence. I will usually refer to them as the complainant, complaining witness, or decedent if they are dead. I realize in this case the shooter has already taken responsibility and it does seem silly to still be saying alleged this and that. But as pointed out by others, it is a CYA tactic used by the media to keep from getting sued.

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Originally posted by JOY4567:

quote:

Originally posted by NashBama:
Innocent until proven guilty.

Journalists do this to avoid lawsuits. It's also not their job to convict the person accused of a crime before they receive a fair trial.

I understand your point, but the victim WAS shot. He was not allegedly shot.