Final answer:
The 'innocent until proven guilty' principle is cornerstones of the U.S legal system, used in numerous cases such as Jean Gianini's murder case in 1914 and the Scottsboro Boys case in 1931.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of 'innocent until proven guilty' is a vital component of the U.S legal system and has been invoked in numerous cases. Two notable instances include the murder case of Jean Gianini in 1914 and the case of the Scottsboro Boys in 1931.
In the murder case of Jean Gianini, the defendant was considered innocent until the prosecution could prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense argued that Gianini, though charged with a heinous crime, was mentally incapable of understanding the severity of his actions. Ultimately, the jury accepted the defense's view, illustrating the 'innocent until proven guilty' principle.
The case of the Scottsboro Boys was a landmark event where these principles were sorely tested. Despite strong evidence in their favor and recanted testimonies, the African American defendants were initially found guilty by an all-white jury. However, repeated appeals eventually led to a different outcome, demonstrating the value of the 'innocent until proven guilty' principle in securing justice.
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