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Shelley Osterloh ReportingIt appears many people were surprised the judge dismissed the Olympic bribery case, but most agree with the judge’s decision.
According to an exclusive KSL opinion poll about the bribery trial, it seems Utahns are ready to put this five year ordeal behind them.
Many say it's the IOC who is to blame for any wrong doing, not the bid committee led by Tom Welch and Dave Johnson.
Brent Wride: "I never heard of any evidence that led me to believe there was any criminal wrong doing."
Survey USA asked more than 440 Utah residents about the trial. 68% agree that there was not enough evidence for a jury to reasonably convict the two defendants. Only 23% disagree.
Seth Jarvis: "We know that people were paid money; guys got bogus jobs. If somebody says that's not bribery, I'll go ok, but come on guys, who are we kidding?"
44% of the respondents think the judge should have allowed the jury to make the final decision. But 50% think the judge was right to dismiss the case.
Jason Jones: "It seemed like the case had merit. They went through the appeals process, they deemed it should go to trial. I think the jury should have heard it."
Overall, most of those questioned, 69%, believe the Olympics were awarded fairly to Salt Lake City before the trial and they still feel that way.
48% say it was still important to take the case to trial in order to expose some of the activities associated with efforts to win the Olympic bid, but 51% disagree.
Zach Wiseman: "I think that problem was brought to light by what we found out earlier on and I think everyone knew that problem existed. But I don't think anyone involved in that process had any evil intent at all. So I applaud them and I’m sad it took as long as it did to be resolved."
It’s a case that the public has paid close attention to. Of the 500 people polled, 90% said they were familiar with the trial.
