Celebrity Trial Pool

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Building on the success of the Celebrity Death Pool, and since we are purportedly all lawyers and have proven we are not in the least bit squeamish, I am proud to announce the Celebrity Trial Pool.

This will be an ongoing competition, purely for pride unless someone has a suitable prize (though side wagers are your business), where contestants predict the outcome of notable celebrities' and other infamous characters' brushes with the law. To enter, just make your prediction on the outcomes of the legal matters affecting the five people listed below.

Contestants must be regular posters, as determined at the sole discretion of the Admins. (no multiple sock entries allowed). You cannot make a prediction on a case to which you or your employer have any connection, nor can you do anything to influence the result of the case.

Here are the six choices you have for each case:

1) Guilty as charged on all counts;
2) Acquitted on all charges -- defendant walks;
3) Guilty on some counts or lesser charges, but not all counts. (Must be at least one not guilty returned.)
4) Takes plea;
5) Charges dropped;
6) Other (Flees the country, dies before trial, etc.)

Here are the first five cases:

1. Michael Jackson
2. Scott Peterson
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Robert Blake
5. Phil Spector

As events warrant (and as we receive suggestions, which are welcome), we will add additional cases. Obviously by its nature this will run a long time.

Since there's nothing to win, there's no real need for secrecy so just post your predictions here. Please note that this contest is just for fun and is not intended to provoke deep philosophical discussions as to why a particular contestant believes in a particular outcome.

For the record, here are my predictions --

1. Michael Jackson -- 3
2. Scott Peterson -- 1
3. Kobe Bryant -- 2
4. Robert Blake -- 1
5. Phil Spector -- 3

Thanks for playing, and good luck.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Celebrity Trial Pool.

Here are the six choices you have for each case:

1) Guilty as charged on all counts;
2) Acquitted on all charges -- defendant walks;
3) Guilty on some counts or lesser charges, but not all counts. (Must be at least one not guilty returned.)
4) Takes plea;
5) Charges dropped;
6) Other (Flees the country, dies before trial, etc.)

Here are the first five cases:

1. Michael Jackson
2. Scott Peterson
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Robert Blake
5. Phil Spector

Michael Jackson - 3
Scott Peterson - 2
Kobe Bryant - 3
Robert Blake - 1
Phil Spector - 5

did you leave Courtney Love out because she is likely to create more crimes before she ever gets to trial? I'd give her a 3 or a 4.

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive

did you leave Courtney Love out because she is likely to create more crimes before she ever gets to trial? I'd give her a 3 or a 4.

Close. She keeps getting into trouble and its hard to keep track of what she's actually charged with at any given time. Would add her later if events warrant.

[Flinty_McFlint]

Here are my guesses.

Michael Jackson - 3
Scott Peterson - 1
Kobe Bryant - 2
Robert Blake - 6
Phil Spector - 2

[NotFromHere]

1. Michael Jackson (4) he can't take the pressure.
2. Scott Peterson (1) although he may get the OJ (actually guilty, defense lawyer who is not above histrionics)
3. Kobe Bryant (4)
4. Robert Blake (1) why is this one taking so long?
5. Phil Wall-of-sound Spector (1)

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
4. Robert Blake (1) why is this one taking so long?

Because he's on about his 3rd or 4th lawyer...

(Note, as I am performing my Mod. duties with this new thread at the moment, I reserve the right to do a suitable 1K post shortly. It will most likely appear tonight, and on the Adult Board.)

[Alex_de_Large]

1. Michael Jackson; 6 (will flee)
2. Scott Peterson; 1 (toast)
3. Kobe Bryant; 2 (will walk)
4. Robert Blake; 1 (toast)
5. Phil Spector; 6 (will flee)

[ThurgreedMarshall]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand

1) Guilty as charged on all counts;
2) Acquitted on all charges -- defendant walks;
3) Guilty on some counts or lesser charges, but not all counts. (Must be at least one not guilty returned.)
4) Takes plea;
5) Charges dropped;
6) Other (Flees the country, dies before trial, etc.)

1. Michael Jackson - 3
2. Scott Peterson - 1
3. Kobe Bryant - 3
4. Robert Blake - 1
5. Phil Spector - 4

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

FYI, just occurred to me, for our purposes a hung jury will count as a Not Guilty until such time as the person may be retried and convicted or acquitted the second time around.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand

Here are the six choices you have for each case:

1) Guilty as charged on all counts;
2) Acquitted on all charges -- defendant walks;
3) Guilty on some counts or lesser charges, but not all counts. (Must be at least one not guilty returned.)
4) Takes plea;
5) Charges dropped;
6) Other (Flees the country, dies before trial, etc.)

Here are the first five cases:

1. Michael Jackson
2. Scott Peterson
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Robert Blake
5. Phil Spector

Thanks for playing, and good luck.

Michael Jackson -- 2
Scott Peterson -- 1
Kobe Bryant -- 3
Robert Blake -- 6 (He'll die before the trial is completed)
Phil Spector -- 5

[Shape Shifter]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
FYI, just occurred to me, for our purposes a hung jury will count as a Not Guilty until such time as the person may be retried and convicted or acquitted the second time around.

What if counts are dropped before reaching the jury?

[str8outavannuys]

How does this pool have a winner ? At such time as no celebs are facing criminal charges?

Oh well:

Michael Jackson: 6, most likely suicide.
Scott Peterson: 4 (10-30).
Kobe: 2. He's innocent!
Robert Blake: 1 - he's not that innocent
Phil Spector: 3 - not sure of the charges, but this screams of a manslaughter -but-not-murder to me.

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by Shape Shifter
What if counts are dropped before reaching the jury?

If they are dropped at trial, it's usually involuntary as the judge throws them out, so I'd treat that as an acquittal (for lack of evidence).

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Originally posted by str8outavannuys
How does this pool have a winner ? At such time as no celebs are facing criminal charges?

There's the rub. It doesn't. There's no prize but bragging rights anyway.

[mmm3587]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand

1) Guilty as charged on all counts;
2) Acquitted on all charges -- defendant walks;
3) Guilty on some counts or lesser charges, but not all counts. (Must be at least one not guilty returned.)
4) Takes plea;
5) Charges dropped;
6) Other (Flees the country, dies before trial, etc.)

Here are the first five cases:

1. Michael Jackson
2. Scott Peterson
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Robert Blake
5. Phil Spector

1. 6
2. 1
3. 2
4. 1
5. 3