Julie Amero, the substitute teacher who faced 40 years in prison for the crime of being present in a classroom equipped with an adware-infected computer that displayed porn pop-up ads, was found guilty and was about to be sentenced today. Fortunately, she's been granted a new trial.
Here's the astounding comments about the case from the defense's technical expert:
We asked the prosecution to arrange for the defense to have unfettered access to the internet so that we could reenact the events of October 19, 2004. It was not granted. I went to court with two laptops and a box full of reference material prepared to very clearly illustrate what happened to Julie Amero. But, the prosecution objected because they were not given "full disclosure" of my examination. I was allowed to illustrate two screens, that of the www.hair-styles.org , and www.new-hair-styles.com sites.
This was one of the most frustrating experiences of my career, knowing full well that the person is innocent and not being allowed to provide logical proof.
I agree with the comment posted by a reader of the Norwich Bulletin, who wrote:
No matter how this turns out, the damage done to Julie Amero's life, reputation, and career can never be fully undone, even if she sues (which she should) and is compensated buckets of money. Kevin Kane, the state's chief attorney, made a huge blunder through sheer incompetence. His incompetence is downright mind boggling. This wasn't an example of a prosecutor acting on the best information he had and convicting someone competently and honestly but merely being wrong. No, this rises to the level of gross negligence and incompetence. He was clearly determined to obtain a conviction, facts be damned.
Kevin Kane should submit his resignation. If he fails to do so, it should be demanded by the state. He made it clear in this case that he can't be trusted to handle even simple computer-related crime cases.
If you want to send email to the prosecutor in the case, Michael L. Regan, the Chief State's Attorneys of Connecticut Kevin T. Kane, and Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, and urge them to drop the case, here are their email addresses.
Reader comment:
Alan Graham says:
But the best is this section (from Courant.com):
Amero's case became a hot issue for bloggers throughout the country, many of whom sharply criticized the guilty verdict. [Superior Court Judge Hillary B.] Strackbein criticized the bloggers today, saying they tried to "improperly influence" the court.
That was the judge that ordered the new trial…I would say that bloggers didn't improperly influence the case, but instead helped fight for justice. Without the attention generated by bloggers, it is likely she would be in prison today.
