Note that it's not proven yet. There could be a lot of similar-looking people in NYC. And, as the insanely prolific Gary was pointing out, eyewitness testimony is unreliable here--our memories are influenced by what we expect to see. At least there's a photograph involved, but if they (for instance) show the restaurant owner to the witness without some very similar people on a lineup, there's a good chance they'll wind up with a mistaken positive ID.
At least there's a photograph involved, but if they (for instance) show the restaurant owner to the witness without some very similar people on a lineup, there's a good chance they'll wind up with a mistaken positive ID.
I'm the first to gripe about eyewitness testimony as inaccurate, but I believe that expert examination of photographs to determine whether they are pictures of the same person is actually fairly reliable. You compare the relative placement of various features, look at the relative angles, and bob's your uncle. (I'm not an expert in this area, my belief that this is pretty reliable is based on 'something I read somewhere.' But I remember finding it convincing.) If this is the same guy, the photo should establish it -- if not, the photo should clear him. (Back to my brief.)
Sorry, slol, I don't think I've posted that section. I mean, I've only posted excerpts in 3 posts, and put up two different quotations on the sidebar (no longer visible) at different times, but I haven't put up the entire book, you know.
Dollars to doughnuts, this will increase Quintessence's business. In fact, I live close enough to the East Village one that I may at least walk by tomorrow, and then probably go eat somewhere else.
Always looking for the low hanging fruit, so to speak, of comedy, wouldn't it have been ironic if he was caught by a cell phone camera with a flash? I can see the headline now:
That his transgression was compounded by the fact that he ran a RAW FOOD restaurant bothered me too. I only hope that he washed his hands.
Posted by bostoniangirl | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:05 PM
Stop worrying! Haven't you seen those signs in the restaurant bathrooms that say that all employees MUST wash their hands before returning to work?
Posted by Mitch Mills | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:12 PM
Perhaps they should put up similar signs in the subway: "All riders must conceal their penises"
Posted by Armsmasher | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:25 PM
By the way: L? Michael? You guys still have your heads above water?
Posted by Mitch Mills | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:39 PM
Note that it's not proven yet. There could be a lot of similar-looking people in NYC. And, as the insanely prolific Gary was pointing out, eyewitness testimony is unreliable here--our memories are influenced by what we expect to see. At least there's a photograph involved, but if they (for instance) show the restaurant owner to the witness without some very similar people on a lineup, there's a good chance they'll wind up with a mistaken positive ID.
Posted by Matt Weiner | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:39 PM
No electricity down there. Don't think we'll be hearing from them any time soon.
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:44 PM
I'm cool with them locking up the raw-food guy, even if he's not the flasher.
By the way: L? Michael? You guys still have your heads above water?
L's mom says that L is fine, but they've lost power where she's staying, so no more wifi.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:44 PM
similar people on a lineup
"#3, step forward, crouch down, grin, and masturbate."
Posted by apostropher | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:47 PM
You lose, #3, I didn't say "Simon says."
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:49 PM
At least there's a photograph involved, but if they (for instance) show the restaurant owner to the witness without some very similar people on a lineup, there's a good chance they'll wind up with a mistaken positive ID.
I'm the first to gripe about eyewitness testimony as inaccurate, but I believe that expert examination of photographs to determine whether they are pictures of the same person is actually fairly reliable. You compare the relative placement of various features, look at the relative angles, and bob's your uncle. (I'm not an expert in this area, my belief that this is pretty reliable is based on 'something I read somewhere.' But I remember finding it convincing.) If this is the same guy, the photo should establish it -- if not, the photo should clear him. (Back to my brief.)
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 5:59 PM
Is it a coinkydink that the victim and the alleged perp's partner are both Asian?
Posted by Andy Vance | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 6:50 PM
Well, yes, if we've got the wrong guy. If we have the right guy, I suppose no is a possibility.
Posted by LizardBreath | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 6:52 PM
bob's your uncle
LB: mistress of the rules of evidence by day; waifish but spunky Cockney flower-girl by night.
Marc Bloch wrote a nice section mocking eyewitness testimony in his book on the historian's craft. Someone like eb might even have it online.
Posted by slolernr | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 6:58 PM
Ah, make that partner and wife.
Posted by Andy Vance | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 7:00 PM
Sorry, slol, I don't think I've posted that section. I mean, I've only posted excerpts in 3 posts, and put up two different quotations on the sidebar (no longer visible) at different times, but I haven't put up the entire book, you know.
Posted by eb | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 7:10 PM
In the words of his business partner and ex-wife, "It's not proven *yet*." Okay, emphasis mine. But still.
Posted by mcm | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 9:06 PM
Tolentin Chan can flash me any time.
Posted by John Emerson | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 9:09 PM
Dollars to doughnuts, this will increase Quintessence's business. In fact, I live close enough to the East Village one that I may at least walk by tomorrow, and then probably go eat somewhere else.
Posted by washerdreyer | Link to this comment | 08-29-05 10:53 PM
"What would you say if I told you I haven't seen Evil Dead 2 yet?"
Posted by GaijinBiker | Link to this comment | 08-30-05 2:33 AM
Always looking for the low hanging fruit, so to speak, of comedy, wouldn't it have been ironic if he was caught by a cell phone camera with a flash? I can see the headline now:
"Pretty White Girl goes Missing"
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 08-30-05 6:44 AM
wd,
Dollars to doughnuts, this will increase Quintessence's business.
Ah, but will it increase the sales of cream filled doughnuts? I rather think not.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 08-30-05 6:46 AM
I'm not an expert in this area, my belief that this is pretty reliable is based on 'something I read somewhere.' But I remember finding it convincing.
Something that Malcom Gladwell wrote once, maybe? He's pretty convincing.
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 08-30-05 8:21 AM
This doesn't appear to help Hoyt's case:
Posted by Joe Drymala | Link to this comment | 08-30-05 8:25 AM
I hope they do catch the perp. I'll never understand why he doesn't just get a web cam like the rest of us?
I mean . . . oh crap.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 08-30-05 8:31 AM