Facing sharp criticism for her office’s prosecution of Aaron Swartz, US Attorney Carmen Ortiz said Thursday she was “terribly upset” over the Internet activist’s suicide, but was confident that the data theft case against him was “reasonably and appropriately handled.”
While responding to reporters’ questions about Swartz at a press conference on a crackdown on Boston street gangs, Ortiz became emotional as she discussed the case and the criticism against her.
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I just watched the video. She did not want to - and did not - answer the last question, and you got the feeling that her upset emotions were about herself and not the late accused. I was pretty disgusted to hear her say that they felt that the case was handled appropriately, given the charges. A 35 year suggested sentence? Is she serious? Obviously, she does not feel guilty. Defensive, yes - she ended the interview when any question came up as to her way of handling this case. Very upsetting to watch her speak.
Despite what others might say, the manner in which Carmen Ortiz is handling this situation is troublesome. Her s husband should have been involved. A video is a bit too much, I think.
U.S. Attorneys are human. Anyone whose job is to uphold the law knows the consequences of doing their job. They suffer with their emotions just like anyone else. Tragedy often goes with the territory. Most people were deeply saddened by this tragedy especially the prosecuters; yet there are so many who have cruelly attacked the U.S. Attorney's office for carrying out a sworn duty to prosecute an egregious offender. Psychiatry is not in their job description. Seeking justice while representing the American people is.
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Based on your thinking, I suppose we should let these things go and not prosecute. This would be an incentive for all hackers to continue hacking whether it be academic files, identity theft, stealing credit cards, debit cards, social security numbers and generally ripping off the world around us. Hacking IS egregious. It's breaking into a personal and confidential area owned and operated by others. What is stolen is another matter. That's why the law punishes with either six months or thirty-five years.
Carmen Ortiz is both a Lawer and a Pol. 'Nuff said.
I feel terrible for the Swartz family, however if he was in such a depressed state where were they. He committed a crime and didn't want to take the responsibility or the consiquences. If Ortiz was pushing a plea due to the fact that "because the ultimate goal was a gulity plea knowing a jury was not going to make the goal" as public-servant-watch states why didn't he go to trial?? He knew he was doing something wrong, he should have fought to change the system he felt was wrong.
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Ortiz said her review of the case had determined that it was handled fairly by “very seasoned, careful” prosecutors. This is an attempt to put her staff under the bus when in fact they report to her and she makes and approves all the calls. Her tardiness in expressing her upsetness at the suicide would tend to show that her concern is more related to her public image.
A bully and a Thug. That is Carmen Ortiz.
If she has come to the point where she thinks a 6 month jail sentence for a non violent, first offender, crime is lenient it is time for ther to resign and head for the door (and definitely not the one leading to the governor's office.) She has, apparently, gotten a bad case of self righteous prosecutor disease and is totally out of touch.