Kym Worthy Lays Down the Law

The Kwame Kilpatrick scandal has certainly won the concern of the public as well as the attention of the media. Journalists thrive on the sex scandals of major public figures, especially someone as infamous as Kwame. Dozens of articles have been written about his infidelity and propaganda is spread in order to capture the public’s attention. Few do not have a strong opinion of the mayor, be it positive or negative. Despite all of the press and celebrity-status Kwame has received, Prosecutor Kym Worthy refuses to lie on public opinion and sex scandal as a basis of the charges pressed against the mayor. Worthy makes it clear that a serious crime of perjury was committed, and there is solid evidence to prove it. By her use of logos and ethos, Worthy provides a strong message that justice will not be ignored in a case where the evidence is overwhelming.
Worthy uses ethos to show the integrity of her workforce and the methods of achieving vital information and evidence for the case. “For the men and women in this office, doing things right trumps doing things fast and easy every time. We serve you with independent thought -- unlossed and unbought we have taken orders and instruction from no one. The only body that has told us what to do is the body of the law. We started with clean slates and open minds. We have been careful, deliberate, thoughtful and analytical. Our decision is well reserved, supported by the evidence, and autonomous.” Worthy explains that her workforce has been entirely efficient in their duties and impartial to the case, relying only on solid evidence to sway their opinion on whether or not to prosecute. This statement reaffirms her message that just will be dealt according to the truth and evidence, not based on personal opinions of the mayor, or swayed by the rumors in the sex scandal in the media. Worthy even states later: “Let me be very clear. This was not an investigation focused on lying about sex.” Instead, Worthy uses ethos by discussing how her workforce made the right decision and focused on the undeniable evidence of Kwame’s perjury.
Worthy uses logos to show the simple, yet important principles of the justice system and the importance of truth. She logically explains that children are taught at a young age to “tell the truth, take responsibility for your actions, admit when you are wrong, be fair and play fair, don’t take or use things that aren’t yours, [and] there are consequences for bad behavior. Even children understand lying is wrong.” In this explanation, Worthy shows that it’s obvious telling the truth is the right thing to do. Truth is vital to the justice system and by lying under oath, it obstructs the entire justice system stands for. “Oaths mean something. They are critically important. They matter. They matter when the jurors take their oaths; they matter when lawyer, judges and elected officials take their oaths…And it is so important; it is perjury if they’re lying and perjury is a crime.” According to Worthy, there is no excuse for perjury, for even children understand the logic that lying is wrong.