Put aside what you might feel about Cuffs and what they choose to do in their own time and in their own manner. The recent “trial” of Cuffs by the ISU Judicial Affairs Office is far more disturbing than any action Cuffs has ever taken.

Let’s look at the facts: Who gathered the evidence against Cuffs? Who presented the evidence against, or prosecuted, Cuffs? Finally, who handed down the final verdict on, or judged, Cuffs?

The answer to all three of these questions is the same person — Director of Judicial Affairs Bethany Schuttinga. So effectively the same person served as investigator, prosecutor, judge and jury.

I’m not questioning the integrity or professionalism of Ms. Schuttinga, nor am I calling into question her professionalism in the Cuffs case.

However, I am calling into question a university judicial system that allows one person to be investigator, prosecutor, judge and jury.

If the “investigator” finds enough evidence to charge someone, isn’t it pretty obvious the “investigator” thinks they are guilty?

So how is it possible for the charged person to get a fair trial if the judge and jury already think they are guilty? If a country were to have a system like this, we would condemn them for human right violations and people would be screaming for sanctions.

So why is it no one is screaming for Cuffs? I challenge everyone to put aside their feelings about Cuffs and stand up not to support Cuffs, but to challenge the system that is so blatantly unfair that no one could ever get a truly fair trial.

Nick Leitheiser

Senior

Political Science