As many who have served on juries know, some things start out looking bad and smelling bad and still do not result in a conviction. First we have the trial, and then, if we have a guilty plea or conviction, then we have the hanging. In the United States, we all have a right to due process. In fact, we gave up lynching at sunrise some years ago.

Our right to due process is not tested by fighting a speeding ticket. It is confirmed in the hard cases, like the Mapleton Elk. While the emotions of the community play a role, it is not the only role. Continued