Robert McNeil: Evidence has little to do with facts, other than calling for their proof – to hell with it!

WITH admirable practicality, prosecutors have decided a victim's wound must have at least three stitches before charges will be laid against the assailant. The nation's courts are busy, and it is a blithering nuisance if criminals keep showing up willy-nilly.

Hence, some kind of bar has to be set before an assailant can have the privilege of appearing in court and perhaps even getting his name in the paper.

Before I venture further, I should say there's little evidence for the "three stitches" claim, b...