Beltway Confidential

The demise of the jury trial

By Jay Schweikert

Published January 16, 2018 5:01am ET

Add Washington Examiner on Google

The demise of the jury trial — When the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in McCoy v. Louisiana on Wednesday, it will have a chance to vindicate the sanctity of the criminal jury trial itself. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) | J. Scott Applewhite

Imagine you were on trial for your life, but your lawyer insisted on telling the jury you were guilty.

That’s what happened to Robert McCoy after he was charged with a triple homicide in Bossier City, La. When the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in McCoy v. Louisiana on Wednesday, it will decide whether McCoy deserves a new trial. But it will also have a chance to vindicate the sanctity of the criminal jury trial itself.

Print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Digital subscriber? Click here to login/register your account.

Full midterm coverage.Deeper analysis.

Get unlimited access to Washington Examiner's reporting, expert analysis, and coverage of the midterm elections.

Get Unlimited Access

Cancel anytime.

Tag:

Beltway Op-Eds Commentary Law Supreme Court Trial Lawyers