Letter to the Editor, Rocky Mountain News

I was dismayed at reading the letter to the editor "ADL remains opposed to jury nullification", Oct 9. The writer, obviously ill- informed about jury nullification claims that it is a direct assault on the rule of law. Actually, jury nullification keeps with the rule of law. It serves as a protection against legislators who frequently enact arbitrary and capricious legislation and the prosecutors who go along with it. This type of legislation very often leads to tyranny. No wonder they fear a jury knowing about jury nullification.

Samuel Chase, Supreme Court Justice and signer of the Declaration of Independence said: "The jury has the right to judge both the law and the facts". I would rather let a jury of my peers determine questions of facts and law anyday over a bunch of political appointees.

Chris Fortner
Knoxville, TN