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New Trial For Harvard Student

By TChris, Section Court Decisions
Posted on Sat Jun 25, 2005 at 10:11:39 AM EST
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by TChris

Was former Harvard student Alexander Pring-Wilson using reasonable force to defend himself from an attack, or was he the aggressor? A jury found Pring-Wilson guilty of voluntary manslaughter, but Superior Court Judge Regina Quinlan tossed the conviction yesterday in light of a recent state supreme court ruling permitting the defense to introduce evidence of a victim's history of violence if it supports a self-defense claim.

Unless the prosecution prevails in an appeal of the ruling, Pring-Wilson will have a second chance to persuade a jury that his use of deadly force was justified to repel an attack. Bail will be set for Pring-Wilson on Monday.

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    New Trial For Harvard Student | 3 comments (3 topical)
    Re: New Trial For Harvard Student (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:32 PM EST
    I followed the Pring-Wilson case from the beginning because I thought that it raised some very interesting issues. While I am not 100% sure how I feel about Pring-Wilson's guilt or innocence (IMO this would have been a tough one to judge as a jury member), I did not at all like the media's tabloid exploitation of the case as a "rich vs. poor" story. (But this is the age where news is now entertainment, so I'm not surprised the media took that position). I would be interested to hear what some of the legal minds on this blog have to say about this case.

    Re: New Trial For Harvard Student (none / 0) (#2)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:32 PM EST
    " ``Sander'' Pring-Wilson, an aspiring lawyer stumbling home after a night of clubbing, said Colono and his cousin were mocking him
    So he mocked back, one thing led to another, he pulled out a knife and stabbed the guy. Don't know, but I think he could have walked away. So, unless someone can show me that Colono attacked with no provocation, and also had a weapon..

    Re: New Trial For Harvard Student (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:00:33 PM EST
    I went to law school with both of his parents (they got married during or after law school) so this is a very sad case for me. Cindy went on to be a prosecutor in Colorado Springs, and Doug was (I think) a defense lawyer. I'm glad the case was reversed and think the grounds for it - that the court refused to allow evidence of the dead person's past criminal record - was a sound one. Who knows what you would do if two guys jump out of a car at you late at night.
    Pring-Wilson was walking home after a night of dancing and drinking with friends. Colono, his cousin and his cousin's girlfriend, were sitting in a car outside of the pizza shop waiting for their order. They too had been drinking. Colono made a comment about Pring-Wilson's drunken state. The prosecution said at that point, Pring-Wilson approached the vehicle, and sparked a fight. The defense claimed the student tried to walk away from the confrontation, but Colono and his cousin got out of their car and attacked him. Pring-Wilson, 27, was convicted in October and sentenced to six to eight years in prison
    I think, but am not sure, that his knife was a pocket knife -that's all he had to fight back with.

    New Trial For Harvard Student | 3 comments (3 topical)