John Terry Verdict

Jul 13, 2012 by Robert Ursell

Having served as a juror, I can tell you that there must be no doubt when finding a person guilty by criminal law.

It has come as no great shock to me that John Terry has escaped conviction. Despite how the video footage appears, there was always going to be wriggle room for Terry and his highly paid lawyers. The fact is it is a lot harder to prove outright guilt than to project possible innocence.

In my opinion, the verdict in this case was almost irrelevant. Why would it have mattered either way? Firstly, the maximum punishment was a paltry two thousand five hundred pound fine, chump change for Chelsea’s captain. Secondly, would JT care about having a criminal record? Would that affect any future job prospects, or even his life in any way? I don’t see it.

And thirdly…. Which of you had a strong opinion one way or the other on John Terry before this trial? I would hazard a guess at close to 100%. If you indeed did have a view on the man, how many of you have had it changed by this verdict? Again, I’m only estimating here, but I’d go for a figure in the region of 0%.

If you thought he was a great man and leader before with all that he’s (sometimes allegedly) done wrong in the past, I struggle to see how him being found guilty of name calling would call you to question your unwavering support for this wonderful human being.

Similarly, if you had a passionate hatred for Terry, and everything he stands for before the events of the past few days, this aquittal will have done little to dissuade your view that he is the scum of the earth.

I’ve been accused of Liverpool bias on the two race issues that have hurt English football over the last year. I think much of the hatred directed towards Luis Suarez before the Patrice Evra incident, I stress the word before, was manufactured by the media who wanted a new villain.

Terry, on the other hand, has many friends in the British press and is portrayed in a favourable light whenever his friends see the opportunity.

In summation, today’s verdict was not the important one. That will come when the FA surely fail to follow the precedent they set in the Suarez case.

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