Jumping the gun

[Gabriel013]

Full story here
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23364036

A US marine has been accused of rape and this is the response from Condoleezza Rice:
"We just regret deeply that this happened," Rice told reporters at the start of a one-day trip to Japan. "(It) is very hard to see something like this happen and it's especially hard because it involves a young girl."

Shouldn't she wait for a guilty verdict before she starts to appologise for the incident. The whole article reads as if he's being presumed guilty and there I was thinking that by default you were innocent and others had to prove you had commited the crime.

This isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened but it is concerning that such a high profile individual appears to be condemning the guy before the trial has even started.

If he is found guilty with absolute certainty then he should be punished but I don't think individuals of such a public stature should be giving this type of message.

[svosen]

I agree with that sentiment, Gabe. Just the accusation of rape is enough to ruin a man's reputation for many years (or forever). No way to get that back, regardless of a court ruling or jury verdict.