Friday, May 06, 2011

Sentence first - verdict afterwards

“This is the justice of the Red Queen: sentence first, trial later.”

~ Geoffrey Robertson, a prominent human rights lawyer in Britain

from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: Chapter 12
'It's a pun!' the King added in an offended tone, and everybody laughed, 'Let the jury consider their verdict,' the King said, for about the twentieth time that day.
'No, no!' said the Queen. 'Sentence first - verdict afterwards.'
'Stuff and nonsense!' said Alice loudly. 'The idea of having the sentence first!'
'Hold your tongue!' said the Queen, turning purple.
'I won't!' said Alice.
'Off with her head!' the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved.

http://www.online-literature.com/carroll/alice/12/

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