The Yogurt Problem - Rethinking Legal Defense

Carolyn Hileman* | January 21, 2008

Certain crimes are inherently so abhorrent that attempting to provide motivation for the perpetrator only serves to make us cringe even more. Such is the case with the current trial of Cesar Rodriguez, accused of beating, torturing and killing his seven year old stepdaughter, Nixzmary Brown. Our legal system insists that Mr. Rodriguez be defended but I wonder how wise it was for his lawyer not to waive a jury trial. And I wonder how skillful the lawyer is to propound the following argument before a jury comprised largely of women: “It’s easy to say he killed the kid and beat her because of yogurt. Many of us don’t have yogurt problems, but when you’re poor and you can’t afford unlimited amounts of food and you have six children, you have to make sure that everyone gets what they’re entitled to get, so that you can ensure that everyone stays healthy.”
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