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Facebook outrage at 'Not Guilty' verdict

by Lazylizards | March 14, 2009 at 06:37 am

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After a jury acquitted the thugs who had brutally attacked a policeman who subsequently became partially paralysed, the police force in Western Australia has warned that its morale would be seriously affected.

Cases of police assaults have increased dramatically in recent months. Even after the unwelcome verdict, it was reported that assault cases were happening.

The community who is fed up with the legal system has taken to Facebook to vent its anger.

More than 21,500 people have joined a Facebook group condemning a jury’s decision to acquit three men for assaulting Constable Matthew Butcher and the group is growing by the hour.
People have been joining at the rate of around 1,000 an hour as anger over the decision refuses to die down.

Since the verdict on Thursday night, community outrage has grown to unprecedented levels on talkback radio and chat rooms throughout WA.

The Prime Minister even weighed into the debate, saying he was “stunned” at the jury’s decision.

Robert McLeod and his sons Barry and Scott were acquitted of most charges stemming from the bar brawl incident.