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Marni Soupcoff

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The Week in Review: Let's Leave Brazeau and Pistorius Cases to the Courts

Posted: 02/17/2013 12:08 am

This week, a couple of high-profile stories (one ongoing, one new) led to an odd juxtaposition: The too-cute images of idealized love and prezzies for your sweet (brought to you care of Valentine's Day) sat side by side with grim speculation about violence visited upon one intimate by another. In Canada, it was the fallout from Senator Patrick Brazeau's being charged with sexual assault and assault (following a 911 call which brought police to his home) that cast the shadows. For much of the rest of the world, it was the murder charge laid against Olympic athlete and double-amputee Oscar Pistorius in the shooting death of his girlfriend that set the somber tone. With any allegation of a despicable act, public reproach follows -- but the judgment seems to land particularly swiftly when the incident involves suspected domestic abuse. Let's hope our well-founded indignation at violence against women does not supersede our equally laudable tradition of considering an accused individual innocent until proven guilty.

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  • Photographers take photos of Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius as he stands in the dock during his bail hearing at the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. The fourth and likely final day of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing opened on Friday, with the magistrate then to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he has to remain in custody over the shooting death of his girlfriend. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius (hidden) leaves the courthouse in a car in Pretoria on February 22, 2013 after being freed on bail by a magistrate, pending a high-profile trial for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius (C) is pictured as he leaves the courthouse in Pretoria on February 22, 2013 after being freed on bail by a magistrate, pending a high-profile trial for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Oscar Pistorius

    Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, silhouetted in front vehicle, center, arrives at a relative's home in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb 22, 2013. Pistorius was released on bail and will return to court June, 4, 2013 to face a charge of pre-meditated murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. (AP Photo/Waldo Swiegers)

  • Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius' uncle Arnold Pistorius speaks to journalist at the end of the bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. Pistorius was granted bail in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Oscar Pistorius enters court during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Kenny Oldwage, Attorney for Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Aimee and Carl Pistorius, brother and sister of Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Ampie Louw, Coach of Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Oscar Pistorius enters court during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Family members of Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Arnold Pistorius, uncle of Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius

    Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius , in court Friday Feb. 22, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense and prosecution both completed their arguments with the magistrate soon to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he must stay behind bars pending trial. (AP Photo/Antoine de Ras-Star) SOUTH AFRICA OUT

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Oscar Pistorius enters court during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Oscar Pistorius enters court during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Family members of Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Aimee Pistorius, sister of Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Oscar Pistorius enters court during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Aimee and Carl Pistorius, brother and sister of Oscar Pistorius during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 4

    Arnold Pistorius, uncle of Oscar Pistorius (left) and Aimee Pistorius, sister of Oscar Pistorius (right) during the fourth day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 22 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius

    Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius , in court Friday Feb. 22, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense and prosecution both completed their arguments with the magistrate soon to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he must stay behind bars pending trial) (AP Photo)

  • Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius' father Henke Pistorius, right, with his son Carl watch as Oscar Pistorius walks in during his bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands in the dock during his bail hearing at the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. The fourth and likely final day of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing opened on Friday, with the magistrate then to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he has to remain in custody over the shooting death of his girlfriend. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands in the dock during his bail hearing at the magistrates court in Pretoria, South Africa, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. The fourth and likely final day of Oscar Pistorius' bail hearing opened on Friday, with the magistrate then to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he has to remain in custody over the shooting death of his girlfriend. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • Oscar Pistorius

    Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius , in court Friday Feb. 22, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense and prosecution both completed their arguments with the magistrate soon to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he must stay behind bars pending trial. (AP Photo)

  • Oscar Pistorius

    Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius , in court Friday Feb. 22, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense and prosecution both completed their arguments with the magistrate soon to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he must stay behind bars pending trial. (AP Photo)

  • Oscar Pistorius

    Olympic athlete, Oscar Pistorius , in court Friday Feb. 22, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa, for his bail hearing charged with the shooting death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The defense and prosecution both completed their arguments with the magistrate soon to rule if the double-amputee athlete can be freed before trial or if he must stay behind bars pending trial. (AP Photo)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria on February 22, 2013. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria on February 22, 2013. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    The famliy of South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears on February 22, 2013 at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    The famliy of South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears on February 22, 2013 at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    The famliy of South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears on February 22, 2013 at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria on February 22, 2013. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    Family members of South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appear on February 22, 2013 at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius' coach Ampie Louw is pictured on February 22, 2013 at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius is pictured at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria on February 22, 2013. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears on February 22, 2013 at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-SPORT-CRIME-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria on February 22, 2013. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. Pistorius denies the charge, saying that he shot 29-year-old Steenkamp repeatedly through a locked bathroom door in the dead of night by accident, having mistaken her for a burglar. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE (Photo credit should read ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images)

  • SAFRICA-CRIME-SPORTS-POLICE

    South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears on February 20, 2013 at the Magistrate Court in Pretoria. Pistorius battled to secure bail as he appeared on charges of murdering his model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on February 14, Valentine's Day. South African prosecutors will argue that Pistorius is guilty of premeditated murder in Steenkamp's death, a charge which could carry a life sentence. AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN (Photo credit should read STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands during his bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority acknowledged that the timing of attempted murder charges against a police detective leading the investigation into Oscar Pistorius is "totally weird" and that he should dropped from the case against the world-famous athlete. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands during his bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. The lead investigator in the murder case against Pistorius faces attempted murder charges himself over a 2011 shooting, police said Thursday in another potentially damaging blow to the prosecution. Prosecutors said they were unaware of the charges against veteran detective Hilton Botha when they put him on the stand in court to explain why Pistorius should not be given bail in the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • Hilton Botha

    FILE- In this Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 file photo, Investigating officer Hilton Botha, sits inside the court witness box during the Oscar Pistorius bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa. The lead investigator in the murder case against Oscar Pistorius faces attempted murder charges himself over a 2011 shooting, police said Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, in another potentially damaging blow to the prosecution. Prosecutors said they were unaware of the charges against veteran detective Hilton Botha when they put him on the stand in court to explain why Pistorius should not be given bail in the Valentine's Day shooting death of his girlfriend. Police Brig. Neville Malila told The Associated Press that Botha — who gave testimony in the Pistorius bail hearing on Wednesday — is scheduled to appear in court in May on seven counts of attempted murder related to an incident in October 2011 when Botha and two other police officers fired at a minibus they were trying to stop. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

  • Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius, left, stands as the judges leaves the court, during his bail application at the magistrate court, in Pretoria, South Africa, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013. Pistorius fired into the door of a small bathroom where his girlfriend was cowering after a shouting match on Valentine's Day, hitting her three times, a South African prosecutor said Tuesday as he charged the sports icon with premeditated murder. The magistrate ruled that Pistorius faces the harshest bail requirements available in South African law. He did not elaborate before a break was called in the session. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    Oscar Pistorius enters the court room during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    Carl and Aimee Pistorius, brother and sister of Oscar Pistorius and during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    General View GV of the court room during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    Oscar Pistorius enters the court room during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    Oscar Pistorius enters the court room during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    Oscar Pistorius enters the court room during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    Carl and Aimee Pistorius, brother and sister of Oscar Pistorius talk to Henke Pistorius (father) during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

  • Oscar Pistorius Bail Hearing - Day 2

    Oscar Pistorius enters the court room during the second day of Oscar Pistorius bail application at Pretoria Magistrates Court, Pretoria, South Africa on 20 February 2013 Pic Chris Ricco/BackpagePix

 

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This week, a couple of high-profile stories (one ongoing, one new) led to an odd juxtaposition: The too-cute images of idealized love and prezzies for your sweet (brought to you care of Valentine's Da...
This week, a couple of high-profile stories (one ongoing, one new) led to an odd juxtaposition: The too-cute images of idealized love and prezzies for your sweet (brought to you care of Valentine's Da...
 
 
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dalethompson
31 Fans
08:17 PM on 02/17/2013
Well said Marni!

People can speculate or use innnuedo all they want but at the end of the day, it's like complaining about the weather... it gets you nowhere and it's such a waste of time.

I find it pretty strange people are jumping to conclusions in both cases without any shred or evidence positively backing up a guilty declaration 100%. People watch Law & Order, CSI or any other sleuth/crime show and automatically think they can figure out something or know where it's headed, based on very preliminary and circumstantial evidence.
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agness nutter
What fresh hell is this?
766 Fans
03:57 PM on 02/17/2013
"Innocent until proven guilty" is a legal construct that applies to the judge and jury (in the case of Pestorius - a judge only) in a case and means that the entire burden is on the prosecution to prove the case, and not on the accused to prove innocence. The judge/jury can't assume anything about guilt merely because a person has been charged and is being tried. The police and prosecutors certainly don't act under that presumption - or they couldn't hold people in prison prior to trial.

It has nothing to do with members of the public looking at the information presented in the press and speculating or coming to a conclusion as to the likelihood of what happened.
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BlackRabbit
174 Fans
03:46 PM on 02/18/2013
Private citizens certainly have the right to speculate and criticize without waiting for due process. Whether someone applies the same standards as the judicial system does for forming opinions, or an entirely different set of standards, is up to him or her.

But I just don't see the point to such criticisms right now. There will be plenty of time for that once more facts are in.
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agness nutter
What fresh hell is this?
766 Fans
08:28 PM on 02/18/2013
It's a perfectly natural attempt by people to try to make sense out of something that seems so senseless. One advantage to the system in SA is that there is no jury pool to contaminate.
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dodo2
4 Fans
12:33 PM on 02/17/2013
judgement is only swift ,not because it's domestic abuse, but because the suspect is famous and the media is all over it. this applies to any wrongdoing by someone famous. domestic abuse happens every day to unfamous people and we never hear about it.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LGC1953
Be careful what you ask for, you might get it
81 Fans
12:33 PM on 02/17/2013
Marni, are you serious? Huff is noted for it's over-sensationalized, misleading headlines and it's "we want to be the next National Inquirer" style of writing. I see your blog as an editor stating we should leave it to the courts and the next headline I see on Huff is this "BLOODIED CRICKET BAT" in 70 px font size!!! So which is it? Leave it to the courts or over-sensationalize it all?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
YankeeCanuck
dog
1037 Fans
05:27 PM on 02/17/2013
I ha something to say about this, respectfully. But like every other time I have commented on this "writer"s stories, it has disappeared. So, I'll just fave you. And leave it there.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LGC1953
Be careful what you ask for, you might get it
81 Fans
01:11 AM on 02/18/2013
TY
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BCBillyCarter
10 Fans
10:51 AM on 02/17/2013
OK but the circumstances in both cases involve a history of abuse.
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dalethompson
31 Fans
08:13 PM on 02/17/2013
There's no mention of previous abuse for Brazeau or Pistorius in the media or with police.

Where are you getting this from?
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Marion Ambler
504 Fans
12:46 AM on 02/18/2013
There are previous domestic 'incidents' for Pistorius. "In 2009, Pistorius was arrested for assault when he slammed a door on a woman. He spent the night in police custody, but friends portrayed it as an accident and the charges were dropped.....Still, news reports of drunken or impolite public behavior continued to appear in South African media on rare occasions. Late last year, it appeared that Samantha Taylor, an ex-girlfriend of Pistorius, was set to dish publicly on Pistorius. "Oscar is certainly not what people think he is. We dated for a year and a half," Taylor said, according to City Press. According to the paper, Taylor told its sister publication that she was "prepared to reveal what [Pistorius] made me go through," but then followed with a lawyer's letter saying she was withdrawing her comments and did not want to be contacted further."

Also apparently neighbours heard very loud arguing the night she was killed and the night before. "Pistorius lives in a large house in a gated community, so it seems reasonable that for any sounds to reach neighbors they would have to be rather loud. According to a source in South Africa who I just spoke with, the neighbors heard yelling before the shots were fired, as well as the previous night. Lastly, initial reports indicate no obvious signs of forced entry, although forensic examination is ongoing."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/news/20130214/oscar-pistorius-charged-with-murder/#ixzz2LE7cWpNq
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Surfinby
28 Fans
10:43 AM on 02/17/2013
People are quick to judge, and the media is quick to call their attention to items of interest. Scratch most people and they have an opinion, on everything. The folks who are qualified to offer an opinion are generally precluded by law from doing so.
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Marion Ambler
504 Fans
12:51 AM on 02/18/2013
Did you know many employers hate the employee grapevine because it's usually something true? And yeah....trying to say you thought your girlfriend, in a nightgown, in the bathroom, was an intruder is a bit much for most of us to swallow. Particularly when it appears her skull was also bashed in with a cricket bat. Add that to the fact neighbours heard loud arguing two nights including the night she was killed and he lived in a heavily guarded secure gated community....ya know....if you don't want opinions take the comment section out.
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Whitey McWhite
60 Fans
12:11 AM on 02/17/2013
But if we actually presumed innocence before guilt where would all the fun in calling them a rapist or a murderer go? The sheeple of huffpo know that as soon as anyone is charged with a crime that they are in fact guilty and every rumor about the case is automatically true.
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