Will The Jersey Shore Hospital Nurse Receive A Fair Trial?
FREEHOLD - This week's question focuses on the early media attention surrounding an indictment against, Lorie Hentges, a nurse at Jersey Shore University Medical Center on murder charges in connection with the death of a patient there. One only needs to read the comments to some of the on-line newspapers to see the backlash against Lorie Hentges. The comment posters have seemed to have forgotten that one of the greatest points of our justice system is that folks are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The return of an indictment by a grand jury is not admissible evidence of any wrong doing and should not be construed as a finding of guilt against her. Lastly, a grand jury proceeding is a one-sided proceeding where the Prosecutor's present evidence and the accused is not allowed to have an attorney present inside the proceedings.
With this in mind, will the comments in response to the early media attention, influence Ms. Hentges ability to receive an impartial jury at the time of trial?
By: Thomas H. Martin, Esq.
