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Reactions: Carruth Verdict

Most users confused over verdict of Carruth Trial

Rae Carruth avoided the death sentence when he was acquitted of first-degree murder. AP

It seems that yet another murder trial involving a high-profile athlete has ended with some controversy. Rae Carruth was convicted of three of the four counts against him. But he was acquitted of the most serious charge of first-degree murder. We asked CNNSI.com users for their thoughts on the verdict. A sample of the response follows:

If Carruth is found guilty of shooting into the car, using an instrument to destroy an unborn child and conspiracy, then he is guilty of first-degree murder too. This was an obvious compromise by the jury, which on Thursday was deadlocked. This is justice for the victim and her family? I think not.
George Hartman, Tucson, Az.

I am convinced that Carruth was at the helm of this murder. I don't think he personally committed the crime, but he was the one behind it. Therefore, I think life would be a fair sentence. He had the opportunity to have the life that most people dream of. And he put himself in this situation. SHAME ON HIM!
Greg Chemerys, Vienna, Austria

If Carruth was found guilty of the other charges, then there was enough evidence to find him guilty of first-degree murder, and he should be punished accordingly. No jury or judge should compromise their findings because there is a celebrity on trial. A celebrity lives under the same rules and laws that everyone does.
James Gazard, Virginia Beach, Va.

If you conspire to commit murder, and the murder is committed then you are guilty of first-degree murder. What is the logic that allows for a guilty verdict on conspiracy and a not guilty on the actual act? This suggests that I can strategize and orchestrate a bank robbery, have my compatriots carry out the crime, and yet still be innocent of bank robbery.
John Lemr, Seattle

The jury will probably be looked at as reaching a compromise just to avoid a hung jury, but I happen to agree with the verdict. I've tried to follow the case closely, and there are just too many things that don't add up to possibly send Carruth to his death. That said, Carruth could not possibly be totally innocent of all the charges. The jury went with the best possible scenario.
John McGovern, Ewing, N.J.

Let me get this straight -- according to the jury, Carruth conspired to commit murder, he fired into a occupied vehicle, and he tried to use an instrument to kill an unborn child, but there was no murder committed at all. Sounds like another "Magic Bullet" theory to me. Another athlete, another murder, another weak-willed jury unwilling to do the right thing.
Matthew Cox, Tampa Bay, Fla.

As usual, if you have money you can get away with almost anything in this country. If a regular everyday citizen committed this crime, he or she would have received the death penalty. This verdict is about as big a joke as the O.J. Simpson trial -- "money buys freedom."
Danny Harris, Jacksonville, Fla.

Either he's guilty or not. How could the jury decide he did it, but not find him guilty of the murder? He should be found not guilty on appeal.
David, New Orleans

The outcome of the trial was inconsistent. If the jury felt he was guilty of conspiracy, then he also should have been found guilty of first-degree murder. My personal belief is there more to the story than what really came out of the trial. Whether or not we will ever hear that remains to be seen. Don't get me wrong, I think he is guilty! But I just feel there is more to it than what was said and some that came out was manufactured.
Don Bindley, Phoenix

I will like an explanation on how can he be guilty of all those charges and not guilty of first-degree murder. I must be stupid.
Allan John, Ontario, Canada

I think Carruth got off easy. He is a very lucky man. There are no winners in this case. A woman is dead simply because she was pregnant, and a child will grow up only to learn that his "loving father" was the mastermind behind it all. How will Carruth ever be able to explain to him why?
Mike Nelson, Conway, S.C.

One hopes and prays that the jury made the right decision. The trend of domestic violence among professional athletes is very disturbing.
Timothy Farnham, Springfield, Va.

My take on the verdict is that it was fit for the crime committed. I'm glad another NFL star wasn't acquitted of a crime due to his fame as a pro football player. I am glad the jury was not blinded by this, and looked at the obvious facts and made a quick, just decision. Maybe this will be a stepping stone for athletes in all sports to look at their actions and think of the consequences.
Wilbert Brown III, New Orleans

In the annals of stupidity, this ranks as another case of high-priced justice, or should I say injustice. This Rae Carruth character is as guilty as sin. You know it, I know it and everyone else knows it.
Aaron Lass, Ft Bragg, N.C.

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