THE COST OF "JUSTICE" – AT 9:08 A.M. ET:  There has been real damage done by the inept, unsuccessful prosecution of six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore.  All charges against them have now been dropped.  From Paul Mirengoff at Powerline: 

The Baltimore Sun reports that the cost of defending the six Baltimore police officers charged in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray emptied the coffers of the city’s police union. The union was able to stay afloat only because its members voted to double the dues.

The vote was unanimous, according to the Sun’s sources.

Marilyn Mosby has finally dropped all charges in these cases. However, the dues will remain where they are so the union can replenish its treasury and be able to defend against future Mosby prosecutions.

The city’s demoralized police officers will think of Mosby every time they pay their dues.

The Freddy Gray trials also cost the city of Baltimore plenty. According to city officials, the price tag was $450,000.

Some will argue that even though the prosecutions were spectacularly unsuccessful, they were worth the price because the facts became known to the public and some level of closure was achieved. I understand the argument, but strongly disagree with it.

The hammer of the state’s criminal process should be used only to pursue justice (actual justice, not “social justice”). It shouldn’t be used to shed light, achieve closure, or (more to the point here) pacify a mob.

COMMENT:  I agree with that conclusion.  The prosecution seemed more a political act, than an act in pursuit of real justice.   For the justice system to work properly, it must be completely insulated from public pressure.  Justice cannot be defined as satisfying the mob.

July 30, 2016