General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: 3 pals of Boston Marathon bombing suspect charged with coverup [View all]Whiskeytide
(4,459 posts)... I don't think anyone here is saying these guys should go straight to jail with no trial. No one here approves of trial/conviction in the media or on a message board. Even though every post may not explicitly state it, I suspect every poster would agree to the unspoken qualification of "if they did it...".
But what you seem to be saying is that even if they did it, you would cut them slack. I can't agree with you on that. They are 19, not 9. They are alleged to have disposed of evidence that no one could reasonably claim was not highly incriminating given the circumstances. Empty fireworks tubes??? You don't think they understood the significance of that?
And, though we'll never know for certain, there is certainly the possibility that had they gone immediately to authorities when they recognized the published photos, an MIT police officer, husband and father would still be alive.
You're pretty far out on a limb here. If they did what the police have accused (at least as far as what the media is telling us about that), they should be prosecuted without hesitation. If there were extenuating circumstances, they will have an opportunity to defend themselves by presenting them. But they won't get any slack from me or most others because they were young and confused.