"But they don't want to acquit him either, because that goes against their fundamental belief that a life must be paid for with a life. It would make them feel as if social order itself were collapsing."
"At that point, if an option is presented to them—that we only sentence him to thirty years in prison, making him take responsibility for his actions, and that after thirty years, he can still get out and live a normal life..."
"That, for the jurors, would be a relief."
"They would have both upheld the dignity of the law and soothed their own consciences."
"It's what I call 'moral off-loading.'"
Hart said, "As long as I take the first-degree murder option off the table, the conviction rate will jump from 10% to nearly 100%."
"And that's what I want."
The assistant listened to Hart's analysis, nodding in agreement.
'Now this is a professional prosecutor.'
'That kind of satisfying, crowd-pleasing justice was never his goal. He pursues solid, tangible convictions.'
