Ok, this is nuts. A court has ruled that the conviction of Kenneth Lay, formerly of Enron should be dismissed because he died before his appeal went to trial.
Does that mean that if a person that murders an entire family and is found guilty and then sentenced to life in prison they could have that conviction dropped off the books if they die in prison, clearing their name of the crime? It sure sounds that way from what this ruling implies.
I mean where are the lines here.. for white collar crimes that are felonies you can have your name cleared if you die before your appeal(s) run their course in the judicial system? I know that the basis of law in the US is innocent until proven guilty, but then why are our prisons filled to overflowing if that is true.
I'm quite sure many of the people in prison have appeals pending.. why aren't they free if the present ruling is based on the concept that until all appeals have run their course you're not guilty?
I think the judges that ruled on this Lay issue need to revisit it and consider the implications.
