Free Martha!
by Doug Henwood Posted January 20, 2004
... The only obvious victim of Martha's alleged crime is the public's perception of the fairness of the stock market. The authorities would love to preserve the illusion that everyone is equal, and that the rich and well connected have no special advantage over the masses. But that's absolute nonsense. Though people on the left often cheer the prosecution of insider trading (which, remember, is something Stewart isn't even accused of), there's nothing particularly progressive about preserving the illusion of Wall Street's fairness. It is, therefore, in the interests of both individual justice and political clarity that Martha be found innocent.
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Parade of celebrity pals was insulting, Martha Stewart juror says
By LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press Writer March 5, 2004, 7:15 PM EST
NEW YORK -- A jury of 12 was invited to speak after convicting Martha Stewart at her stock trading trial, but only one initially came forth: a Bronx man who called the verdict a victory for "the average guy" who can invest in the stock market knowing nobody is above the law.
Chappell Hartridge, 47, said jurors believed they did what was right in convicting Stewart and her stockbroker despite knowing it would change two lives forever and many more lives indirectly _ such as those of people who could lose jobs if the verdict further wounds the style icon's company.
Hartridge, a computer technician at a Manhattan insurance firm, said he hopes the verdict sends a message that helps the honesty of the nation's securities markets and levels the playing field for small investors.
"Maybe it's a victory for the little guy who loses money in the markets because of these types of transactions, the people who lose money in 401(k) plans," he said. "Maybe it might give the average guy a little more confident feeling that (he) can invest in the market and everything will be on the up and up." ...
Carl
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