No. It is the point of the Rico statute which was aimed at organised crime. Prosecutors were unable to say who exactly did what (partly due to Omertà.) so the legislation basically said “If you take part in an organised criminal enterprise, ALL indicted participants are equally guilty, if the jury finds (a) the actus reus took place and (b) one member of the enterprise is guilty—ie it was you lot!”Are you sure that is right?
I mean, if I was charged too, and Trump was convicted, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t involved.
Isn’t that the point of a trial with co-defendents - some might be guilty and some not?
Whether they can make a Rico case stick in this case is not 100% clear, but half those indicted have pleaded guilty and co-operated with the prosecution. Their evidence may well convict Trump. Rico is a fearsome tool.
Google “Georgia Rico” and you will see that in almost the first para, it says that only one conviction is required. I had forgotten but it requires two actus reus to be proved, but that makes no difference in this case as multiple crimes are alleged.
Think of Rico as a wheel. The actus reus is at the hub and all in indictees are on the rim. The prosecution proves the hub and then moves on to the rim. Liability attaches to the rim; once one indictee is found guilty all those on the rim are equally guilty.
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