Crime and Punishment Weekly Polls 2008

Over the objections of defense attorneys, a panel of all-white jurors was chosen late Thursday to hear the kidnapping and armed robbery case of O.J. Simpson and codefendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart. Attorneys claimed the prosecutors systematically excluded black jurors from serving on the jury.

Poll: Will the racial make-up of the jury affect the outcome? 1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

Background:
The Legal Saga of O.J. Simpson

Casey Anthony is apparently still not helping investigators locate her missing daughter Caylee. According to media reports, the State's Attorneys office has offered her partial immunity if she accepts it by Tuesday.

Poll: Do you think Anthony should receive partial immunity?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Maybe. It depends on the terms of the deal.

See Also:
The Caylee Marie Anthony Case

Crystal Mangum has kept a very low public profile since being accused of lying about being raped and beaten by three Duke Lacrosse players in March 2006. But that is about to change. According to her manager, Mangum, with co-author Vincent Clark, will be releasing a book titled,"The Last Dance for Grace: The Crystal Mangum Story," in October.

The charges against the three men accused of raping Mangum were dismissed and the former Durham D.A. Mike Nifong (pictured) was disbarred and jailed after the State Attorney General's Office reviewed the case.

Poll: Will you buy the book?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Maybe

See Also:
Duke Lacrosse Team Rape Scandal

Two years ago, 14-year-old Danieal Kelly, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died from malnutrition and maggot-infested bedsores. Danieal's parents have been charged with her death by starvation, but have now filed a wrongful death lawsuit against several City of Philadelphia employees and contract workers claiming they contributed to the girl's death. The lawsuit seeks reimbursement for medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses of Danieal Kelly.

Poll: Do the parents have a legitimate lawsuit?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

See Also:
Parents of Starved Child Sue City

A man facing the death penalty for kidnapping Dylan and Shasta Groene and killing Dylan will be allowed to represent himself during his federal death penalty hearing. U.S. District Judge Edward Lodge ruled that Joseph Edward Duncan III is competent to act as his own attorney during the proceeding.

Poll: Does having the defendant acting as his own attorney unduly influence a death penalty jury?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

See Also:
Duncan Allowed to Represent Himself

Two-year-old Caylee Anthony is missing and according to her mother Casey Anthony, she has been missing since June 9, 2008. Anthony told investigators that she left Caylee with a friend and nanny, but has since lost contact with her friend. Police were not told about the missing child until July 15, 2008, when the child’s grandparents reported Caylee missing after confronting Casey and learning that the mother had not seen her daughter for well over a month.

Poll: Do you believe Caylee Anthony is still alive?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

Background:
Prosecutors Believe Caylee Anthony Could Be Dead

This week Manson Family member Susan Atkins was denied an early compassionate release from prison by the California Board of Paroles. Atkins has less than three months to live due to having advanced brain cancer. But in August 1969, Atkins was young and healthy when she took the life of actress Sharon Tate, 26, who was eight months pregnant. Prior to the slaughtering of Tate and her house guests, Tate begged for the life of her unborn child.

Poll: Do you think any of the Manson Family members convicted of murder will ever leave prison alive?

1) No
2) Yes
3) Undecided

See Also:
Dying Susan Atkins Denied Compassionate Release

Background:
Profile of Susan Atkins, aka Sadie Mae Glutz
The Manson Family Photo Album

Defense attorneys for Atlanta Courthouse Shooting Brian Nichols do not think it is fair for him to go on trial in the same courthouse that he shot his way out of on March 11, 2005. Nichols is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity to 54 counts including the murders of four people.

Poll: If you were on the jury in the same courthouse where the crimes were committed would it influence your decision to vote innocent or guilty?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

See Also:
Atlanta Courthouse Shooting Trial Finally Begins
Brian Nichols: Atlanta Courthouse Killer

When the body of seven-month-pregnant Army Specialist Megan Touma was found in an off-base motel bathtub June 21 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a crossed circle symbol was drawn in lipstick on the mirror. The same symbol was at the bottom of a letter received by a local newspaper in which the writer took credit for the death of Touma.

Poll: Is the 'Zodiac' letter a clue that another serial killer is on the prowl?

1) Yes. It was written by a copycat killer.
2) No. It is a ruse to throw off police.
3) Undecided

See Also:
'Zodiac' Letter Clue in Pregnant Soldier's Death

This week the United States Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty is unconstitutional punishment for people convicted of raping children. The court ruled that death was a "disproportionate punishment" in a Louisiana case in which a man was convicted of raping his 8-year-old stepdaughter so brutally she required surgery.

Poll: Do you think the Supreme Court's ruling that the death penalty is unconstitutional for child rapists will increase incidents of vigilante justice?

1) Yes
2) No
3) Undecided

See Also:
Court Nixes Death Penalty for Child Rape