Stealing from Klosterman 6

Q:

You have been wrongly accused of a horrific crime: Due to a bizarre collision of unfortunate circumstances and insane coincidences, it appears that you have murdered a prominent U.S. senator, his beautiful young wife, and both of their infant children. Now, you did not do this, but you are indicted and brought to trial.

Predictably, the criminal proceedings are a national sensation (on par with the 1994 O.J. Simpson trial). It's on television constantly, and it's the lead story in most newspapers for almost a year. The prosecuting attorney is a charming genius; sadly, your defense team lacks creativity and panache. To make matters worse, the jury is a collection of easily confused sheep. You are found guilty and sentenced to four consecutive life terms with virtually no hope for parole (and - since there were no procedural mistakes during the proceedings - an appeal is hopeless).

This being the case, you are (obviously) disappointed.

However, as you leave the courtroom (and in the days immediately following the verdict), something becomes clear; the "court of public opinion" has overwhelmingly found you innocent. Over 95 percent of the country believes you are not guilty. Noted media personalities have declared this scenario "the ultimate legal tragedy." So you are going to spend the rest of your life amidst the general population of a maximum-security prison...but you are innocent, and everyone seems to know this.

Does this knowledge make you feel (a) better, (b) no different, or (c) worse?



Wow. It's tough to get into the mindset of this situation because it's so tragic. Especially to think of it happening to yourself. I also can't even begin to imagine my mindset throughout the whole process. I'd be distraught beyong belief, as I'm sure anyone else would be.

I think if the court of public opinion's verdict didn't change my sentence in any meaningful way, it would be tough to consider a factor. I think it would make me happy that a large amount of people considered me innocent. It wouldn't frustrate me - I think the blunt force of being found guilty of a horrific multiple-homocide and faced with an eternity behind bars would have hardened me beyond frustration.

If people did think of me as innocent, I might be able to communicate more with the outside world. I might even be able to write a book about the whole ordeal and sell it. Or continue to write books and get them published. Now that I think about it, I might be able to live out a fairly decent life (sans the constant workout yard fights I would get into) as a writer. In today's culture of tragedy and survivorism, people worship those who have been put through the ringer. People who have been put through things that they can't imagine. Stuff that shouldn't happen to anyone. And this would definitely qualify. I could find a publisher in no time - because I wouldn't be a normal criminal. I'd be innocent, and everyone loves to hear the story of an innocent man.

New York Times best seller list here I come.

Thanks prison!