Ethos in Kym L. Worthy's Speech

Along with the charges facing Kilpatrick and Beatty, Kim L. Worthy gave a powerful speech about the high standards and integrity of the American system of justice. Her use of ethos was obvious throughout the speech. She began by saying, "Only the facts and evidence would lead us." This adds to the integrity and reputation of all those involved in the investigation regarding Kilpatrick and Beatty. The investigators would not come to a solution based on rumor or bias opinion; they would only look at facts and evidence. They took as long as they needed to, because to the men and women involved, doing their job efficiently was more important than reaching a quick decision to please the public and the press. They realize that people’s lives are in their hands. Worthy went on to describe the cornerstone of the Americans system of justice: witnesses.

Witnesses take an oath to tell nothing but the truth, because the people’s lives are literally in their hands. Kym L. Worthy made it clear that Kwame Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty made selfish decisions by using their status to cheat the judicial system. The lives of Gary Brown, Harold Nelthorpe, and Walter Harris were forever changed because of two people’s selfish lies. Kilpatrick and Beatty made a mockery of the integrity of the judicial system. In Worthy’s words, “Witnesses are the backbone, heart, core, soul, and center of the justice system. Without witnesses the American system of justice would totally collapse. Without witnesses we have nothing, justice means nothing and we can do noting for anyone.” By lying under oath, Kwame Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty hindered the ethos of the position of witnesses. Worthy made it clear that an oath is an oath, no matter how high of a position one may hold. Kym Worthy expressed this by using a quote from a man who once held the highest position in American government. Theodore Roosevelt stated, “No man is above the law and no man is below it; nor do we ask any man’s permission when we require him to obey it. Obedience to the law is demanded as a right; not asked as a favor.” If the President of the United States saw that, Kilpatrick and Beatty should learn from his words. After all, “Even children understand that lying is wrong.”

While Kilpatrick and Beatty may have had no respect for the justice system, Worthy made it clear that the investigation and prosecution would be handled by those who have a reputation in the justice system. Of the four names listed, none of them have experienced less than fifteen years of cases. Kilpatrick and Beatty were given a fair investigation, despite their lack of honesty and integrity. Kym L. Worthy provided the public with a fine example of how the American system of justice is upheld by witnesses - witnesses who respect the reputation of not only the American system, but also the reputation of those on trial.