Baby Charged with Attempted Murder, Goes Into Hiding in Pakistan

[garbon]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/baby-charged-attempted-murder-goes-hiding-pakistan-n74526

Relatives of a nine-month-old baby charged with attempted murder in Pakistan have taken him into hiding, a relative said on Tuesday, in a case that has thrown a spotlight on Pakistan's dysfunctional criminal justice system.

Mohammad Musa Khan appeared in court in the city of Lahore last week, charged with attempted murder along with his father and grandfather after a mob protesting against gas cuts and price increases stoned police and gas company workers trying to collect overdue bills.

"Police are vindictive. Now they are trying to settle the issue on personal grounds, that's why I sent my grandson to Faisalabad for protection," the baby's grandfather, Muhammad Yasin, told Reuters, referring to a central Pakistani city.

The baby is on bail and due to appear at the next hearing on April 12 but Yasin said he was not sure if he would take him to court for the case.

"There is immense pressure on me from various corners," he said.

At his first appearance in court last week, Musa cried while his fingerprints were taken by a court official. Later, the baby sucked on a bottle of milk and tried to grab journalists' microphones as his grandfather spoke to the media.

"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.

The baby was apparently charged because an assistant sub-inspector complained in a crime report that Musa's whole family had beaten him up and injured his head.

[Grey Fox]

Judgement, Allah does not bestow it.

[derspiess]

"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.

That's exactly what a parent of a guilty child would say.  NICE TRY YASIN

[grumbler]

"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.

That's exactly what a parent of a guilty child would say.  NICE TRY YASIN

I have only one question for Yasin:  "You love your child very much, don't you?"

[garbon]

"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.

That's exactly what a parent of a guilty child would say.  NICE TRY YASIN

I have only one question for Yasin:  "You love your child very much, don't you?"

[Iormlund]

I have only one question for Yasin:  "You love your child very much, don't you?"

[Barrister]

"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.

That's exactly what a parent of a guilty child would say.  NICE TRY YASIN

I have only one question for Yasin:  "You love your child very much, don't you?"

He is the kid's grandfather though.

[Capetan Mihali]

"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.

That's exactly what a parent of a guilty child would say.  NICE TRY YASIN

I have only one question for Yasin:  "You love your child very much, don't you?"

[Valmy]

Well done grumbler

[Barrister]

I never can tell with grumbles if it's just a funny quip (which it was), or meant as a sly dig at my "one question" comment from a couple days ago.

I stand by that technique.  As a prosecutor on cross-examination, you'll never ever get mom (it's always mom) to say something negative about their little angel, whether they are guilty or innocent.  So if I spend a lot of time on cross not only am I beating up on dear old mom on the stand, she's just repeating her story (and repetition adds to effectiveness).

So the "you really love your son" just reminds the trier of fact of the very powerful bias at work, and then you move on to the next witness.

[Valmy]

What if Mom says 'Nope.  I hate the ungrateful bastard.  But last I checked, counselor, being a horrible son is not against the law.'?

[garbon]

Do many defense witnesses say negative things about the defendant? I mean I can see others would be easier to crack that your typical mom, but still they aren't aiming to do that, right?

[KRonn]

"He does not even know how to pick up his milk bottle properly, how can he stone the police?" Yasin asked journalists at the court last Thursday.

That's exactly what a parent of a guilty child would say.  NICE TRY YASIN

Hah, typical parent with the "my kid would never do that!" kind of attitude!!   

[Capetan Mihali]

I never can tell with grumbles if it's just a funny quip (which it was), or meant as a sly dig at my "one question" comment from a couple days ago.

Both, I assume.

I stand by that technique.  As a prosecutor on cross-examination, you'll never ever get mom (it's always mom) to say something negative about their little angel, whether they are guilty or innocent.  So if I spend a lot of time on cross not only am I beating up on dear old mom on the stand, she's just repeating her story (and repetition adds to effectiveness).

So the "you really love your son" just reminds the trier of fact of the very powerful bias at work, and then you move on to the next witness.

I learned the same basic technique for use on complaining witness's mothers/sisters/brothers who are backing up their story as part of the prosecution's case, but can't be impeached with any of the standard ways.  Especially if the CW got hurt badly or something emotionally triggering.

[jimmy olsen]

I would have sworn I posted this story, but a search reveals nothing. Odd.