Erik's Response to "Pro Se"

The stories on defendants representing themselves are very interesting. The current economic downturn has had effects on pretty much every aspect of society, including the courts, which I think is often overlooked. Jorge Cruz's story, where a defendant present at a party where cocaine was found chose to represent himself while his brother and others pleaded guilty, was the most intriguing to me. The method of the pro se defendant's approach seemed to fly in the face of all jury instructions I have heard regarding bias. Both counsels, whether or not they represent themselves, are not supposed to SOLELY elicit sympathy as a means to influence the jury's opinion. Not only that, but according to the DA, the pro se didn't follow courtroom procedures well at all. He didn't play by the rules of evidence, and framed his questions unfairly to witnesses he knew. He eventually won the jury over by his "personal story." I think the judge in this case should have taken more precaution in advising and tutoring the pro se before the trial, or at least made sure he knew procedure better. This case also shows that no matter what the counsels say in jury instructions, people can always be influenced by empathy when deciding cases.


----
Erik J. King