I have been observing the events unfolding concerning the Ched Evans case with great interest. I have also attempted to research this issue as much as I can in order to try and get to grips with all the complexities and conundrums that it throws up. What interests me the most are the various arguments each side trots out to justify his or her point of view and on what basis they are made. People certainly try to appeal to the emotions in order to get their point of view across. Unfortunately a lot of the time, it is those very emotions that seem to override and take control in any given situation. We are, after all, “only human”. For example, Colwyn has attempted to analyse what a “role model” actually is. But for me the “role model” argument is a spurious one and has the effect of taking ones the eye off the ball (pun intended).
Whether you believe in Ched Evan’s guilt or innocence is one thing, it is another to move forward from the situation he is in now. I have to say however, that his behaviour on the night in question was despicable and any right minded person would say that. So he is at least, guilty of that behaviour and has admitted it. It is a fundamental right of every person to protest their innocence of any given crime and to pursue any legal avenue open to him/her. He has had his first appeal dismissed by the Court of Appeal, but his subsequent appeal has been fast tracked under Criminal Cases Review Commission as pointed out in a previous post. They will take several months to come to a conclusion. Therefore, as the position currently stands in law, he remains guilty unless or until that judgment is overturned.
The point of my post is this: I cannot believe the breathtaking hypocrisy of people- period.
Lesley Grantham- sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a taxi driver in 1966;
Roman Polanski- on the run from the US authorities since 1978 (has received extensive celebrity support);
Geoffrey Boycott- convicted woman beater 1996, appeal dismissed (powerful lobby pushing for his knighthood);
Mike Tyson- convicted of rape in 1992.
Need I go on? All of the above have been convicted of very serious crimes and yet they were allowed to return to their chosen profession. Either these people should not be allowed to return to their professions or they should be allowed back to complete their rehabilitation. Roman Polanski on the other hand has not served time and is in effect, a fugitive and yet is continuing to make lots and lots of money, thank you very much.
Society should not be allowed to pick and choose what people are worthy of redemption. That is up to the law of the land and/or the appropriate governing bodies.