Using Weinstein’s high-profile New York conviction as our guide, I break down why the court’s decision to allow testimony from other alleged victims became such a crucial issue on appeal.

I walk you through why ensuring a fair trial (yes, even for someone as notorious as Weinstein) is so important for the justice system as a whole. You’ll hear my take on what happened inside that contentious jury room, the chaos (and value) of passionate deliberations, and what it really means when jurors can’t agree.

We’ll use classic courtroom wisdom, a nod to the film “12 Angry Men,” and explore what prosecutors can do after a hung jury.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes after a big trial wraps up, or why appeals matter, this episode is for you. You'll learn what makes the adversarial process tick and why procedural fairness isn’t just a technicality. It’s the backbone of justice.

Here are my key takeaways:

Why Procedural Fairness Matters: No matter how “guilty” or reviled someone may be, the system must guarantee a fair trial. Otherwise, the same rules protecting the innocent begin to erode. The denial of a fair trial for anyone jeopardizes the process for everyone.

How Juries REALLY Work: The jury deliberations in Weinstein’s retrial were reportedly contentious. Yelling, disagreements, and passionate debate. This, I argue, actually shows the adversarial system doing its job as jurors hash out the facts and arrive at the closest thing to the truth.

What Happens After a Hung Jury: If a jury can’t agree (a “hung jury”), prosecutors aren’t required to retry the case, but often will. Especially if victims push for it or to secure a complete legal outcome, even if other convictions already mean substantial prison time.

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the...

This is about the notorious case involving Brian Wilson (no, not the Beach Boys icon), who’s been charged with the murder of two police officers up in Morrow County (OH).

I break down why, even in a situation like this, entering a not guilty plea is not just common—it’s actually the right legal move. I’ll address some of the biggest misconceptions I hear about pleas, talk through the important difference between factual guilt and what the courtroom actually requires, and explain why due process has to be protected, even for those accused of the worst crimes.

With the death penalty potentially on the line, I unpack how that part of the trial works and why our legal standards matter for everyone, not just the presumed innocent.

If you’ve ever wondered how defense attorneys square their work with questions of morality, or why the system handles plea decisions the way it does, this episode is for you.

Here are my top takeaways:

"Not Guilty" Is a Process, Not a Claim: The initial "not guilty" plea doesn’t necessarily mean the accused claims innocence; it's a vital procedural step that sets the wheels of justice in motion and ensures the State provides evidence before conviction.

Burden of Proof Matters: The prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, not simply assert it. This protects all of us, not just the accused, and sets a uniform standard that safeguards the innocent.

Even in Difficult Cases, Standards Protect Us All: Justice means applying the process equally, even for those accused of terrible crimes. Skipping steps or making exceptions erodes the integrity of the entire system.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high-publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their...

The Karen Reed case. It's a story that’s captured national attention and is even featured in a new Netflix series. I’ll break down the legal details behind the jury’s decision: why Karen Reed was acquitted of manslaughter but still found guilty of DUI. Drawing on my own experience as a defense attorney, I explain how “lesser included offenses” played a role and why this outcome is such a big win for the defense.

Whether you’re a legal enthusiast or just trying to get a handle on what actually happened, I walk you through the key elements of this fascinating, headline-making case.

My Key Takeaways:

• Lesser Included Offense Explained: The jury found Karen Reed guilty of drunk driving but not guilty of manslaughter. This distinction arose because, although the prosecution proved she was driving under the influence, they didn’t prove she caused the death—a classic application of the “lesser included offense” principle.
• Impact on Sentencing: Being acquitted of the more serious charge meant avoiding felony prison time, leaving only the DUI conviction, something far less severe from a sentencing standpoint.
• Jury Decision Dynamics: The outcome emphasizes how disputed evidence (such as whether the accused caused harm) and the prosecution’s burden of proof can result in nuanced verdicts that significantly change a client’s future.

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com