necoandjeff wrote:

> > People are guilty of the crime the moment they commit it, whether or
> > not the crime is ever discovered or reported, or the perpetrator ever
> > identified, apprehended, prosecuted, convicted or not.
>
> Here we go again.

He asked.

> Eric continues to have difficulty distinguishing between
> the metaphysical state of guilt and when it is appropriate for the state to
> reach a conclusion regarding one's guilt and use that as a basis for
> restraining one's freedom, or perhaps worse.

http://tinyurl.com/47kwb

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

2 entries found for metaphysical.
To select an entry, click on it.

 ハGo
Main Entry: meta疳hys疂當al
Pronunciation: -'fi-zi-k&l
Function: adjective
1 : of or relating to metaphysics
2 a : of or relating to the transcendent or to a reality beyond what is
perceptible to the senses b : SUPERNATURAL
3 : highly abstract or abstruse; also : THEORETICAL
4 often capitalized : of or relating to poetry especially of the early 17th
century that is highly intellectual and philosophical and marked by
unconventional imagery
- meta疳hys疂當al疝y  /-k(&-)lE/ adverb

Nothing metaphysical about it. Purely factual. And if the criminals didn't
have something to hide, they'd be able to tell you all about it.

It is you who bring up technicalities such as "reach a conclusion". No, it is
appropriate for criminals to be punished because they did it, not because a
favorable "conclusion" is reached.

--
 "I'm on top of the world right now, because everyone's going to know that I
can shove more than three burgers in my mouth!"