Agree wholeheartedly that words equal not violence. So, I propose that if we are to disregard lyrics (as I think we should), we should also disregard things like a remote prior text message where a defendant expressed a slur or joke about a group (which I believe can be used to help prove that the crime committed was in fact a "hate crim…
Agree wholeheartedly that words equal not violence. So, I propose that if we are to disregard lyrics (as I think we should), we should also disregard things like a remote prior text message where a defendant expressed a slur or joke about a group (which I believe can be used to help prove that the crime committed was in fact a "hate crime"). Because as vile as a stereotyped slur or dumb joke may have been, it does not even remotely indicate that a person would harm a member of that group intentionally for the express reason that the victim is part of that demographic.
Alternatively, if we are to use all of this as evidence of character, we should use it all, including lyrics (not a path I would advise!).
Agree wholeheartedly that words equal not violence. So, I propose that if we are to disregard lyrics (as I think we should), we should also disregard things like a remote prior text message where a defendant expressed a slur or joke about a group (which I believe can be used to help prove that the crime committed was in fact a "hate crime"). Because as vile as a stereotyped slur or dumb joke may have been, it does not even remotely indicate that a person would harm a member of that group intentionally for the express reason that the victim is part of that demographic.
Alternatively, if we are to use all of this as evidence of character, we should use it all, including lyrics (not a path I would advise!).
Just my 2 cents.