Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Anyone who knows "Mr." Mageau, knows his history... It is sad that he relishes publicity even in this negative venue - he deems such to be valuable...

Only in Rhode Island

If Mageau's record were allowed as evidence and not expunged, they would find him guilty and transport him

boy - it'd be too bad if this ended in a hung jury... they're probably divided on whether someone hitting a camera that someone's holding constitutes assault against a person.

Mageau has wasted tens of thousands of dollars of Charlestown and state taxpayer money in this situation and further appealing this before. He has a criminal record that he was able to get expunged. He's sent hate mail that Ch. 12 proved was his handwriting.

If the jury can't convict it will only embolden him to do this again and again and again. Thank goodness the voters threw this bum out.

"Consensus" is not the correct word as I understand it. Unanimity is required in all trials whether six jurors or 12 jurors. That is what hung the first lead paint trial; only 4 of 6 found the charges reasonable.

Consensus implies, at least in my world, a majority of some kind. That is not enough in court.

I don't think they will convict him since he assaulted a piece of property, not an individual. Fortunately, for us all, the taxpayers in Charlestown saw what he really is and voted him out. People in South County have long memories, so I don't think he could get elected to anything at this point. Hopefully, they kept the handwriting samples on file in case he goes that route again.

Pod, I think "consensus" is properly used in this report, as Merriam-Webster says it is a synonym for "unanimity." Although unanimity is the term often used for the requirement that a jury's decision must be approved by the votes of all members, jurors often report that, although they don't completely agree with the rest of the panel, they agree to go along with the others. Consensus is used to describe such a community or political decision making process where all participants work to find a position that can be supported by all. This process is used by Quakers and by many Native American nations, and I mention it here because if our local governments tried to followed the consensus model there would be less shouting, shoving, and trials, and more effort to find the best solution to our common problems.

Mistrial????
“In my judgment, there is more than sufficient evidence for the jury to find assault or battery or both,” Judge Gallo said

Bill,

Thanks for broadening my understanding of the word. As Ed McMahon used to say "I did not know that".

They may not have convicted this clown in court, but he is dirt in the public eye. He is a prime candidate for anger management.