The cruise ship captain was arrested on Saturday and , according to Reuters. Given ongoing international media attention many question whether or not Captain Francesco Schettino has a chance at a fair trial. A front page editorial in Italy鈥檚 Corriere della Sera read, 鈥淚taly owes the world, international public opinion, the families of those who lost their lives, those who were injured and those who fortunately remained unhurt, a convincing explanation and the toughest possible sanctions against those responsible for this tragedy,鈥� reports Reuters.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think he鈥檚 going to get a fair trial, frankly,鈥� says Mr. Loh, who contends he doesn鈥檛 believe a captain should be brought to criminal trial in a case like this at all. 鈥淚t鈥檚 unfair to criminalize negligent behavior鈥�. I think he can be held responsible, but there鈥檚 a difference between criminal and civil responsibility,鈥� he says.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a question of mens rea," a Latin phrase meaning a guilty mind, says Loh. 鈥淜nowing it to be wrong and doing it anyway is the nature of criminal behavior 鈥� but is there any evidence the captain knew what he was doing was wrong?"
Gregorio Borgia/AP
