If you're a lawyer, probably the point of paying attention to the Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault case isn't to ponder whether or not he's guilty (we can all agree just to wait for the trial, right?), or whether or not to sell your stock in Greek and Spanish banks (probably). Rather, not only does the case present a spectacular platform from which to view clashing criminal justice cultural norms and sexual mores (as noted in earlier posts), but it also showcases the challenges and potential moral hazards of criminal prosecution and defense in the age of Internet-fueled celebrity. Just a sample of what we're talking about:
- A WSJ story, Maid Likely to be Focus. Strauss-Kahn Defense Team Gears Up to Credibiilty of Hotel Worker, says investigators told the WSJ that the defense investigation just of the maid could easily cost half a million dollars or more.
- Defense lawyers have accused law enforcement of leaking information detrimental to their client, including stories that DNA found on the alleged victim's dress is DSK's.
- A public letter from DSK's defense team to the Manhattan prosectors' office makes the rather coy assertion, "were we intent on improperly feeding the media frenzy, we could release substantial information that in our view would seriously undermine the quality of the prosecution and also gravely undermine the credibility of the complainant in this case."
Even without assistance from the prosecution and defense, the professional media and Internet amateurs can find plenty to talk about and fuel public sentiment through simple Google searches. The 2009 photo above which has been making the Internet rounds is a case in point. It's from the IMF's own photo archives.
