Cole Goldberg on KTAL News Now: Betting on Criminal Trials
On KTAL News Now in Shreveport, Louisiana, host Anthony Mocklin spoke with Cole Goldberg, a national advocate for fair trials and due process, about online prediction markets that let people bet on whether a person accused of murder will be convicted. Cole spent four years fighting a nationally covered case before being found not guilty on all counts.
In his words
"You're fighting for your future, your reputation, your family. This idea that strangers could be making money betting on whether you're going to prison is incredibly disturbing. These are real lives, not sporting events."
"If someone stands to profit from a particular verdict, could they try to influence public opinion, spread misinformation, or even interfere with jurors?"
"Whether someone is ultimately found guilty or not guilty, that decision needs to be based on evidence presented in court, not betting odds, social media, or outside financial pressures."
What the interview covers
- What it is like to fight for your freedom while strangers treat the outcome as a bet
- Why gambling on convictions is at odds with the presumption of innocence
- The risk that people with money on a verdict try to sway jurors or public opinion
- What courts can do now: stronger juror screening, clear rules against betting on cases, and safeguards against outside influence
Why this conversation matters
Fair trials protect everyone, regardless of the allegation. This is not about defending any particular defendant or questioning what an alleged victim has experienced. It is about protecting the integrity of the justice system so verdicts rest on evidence, not on who stands to profit.
Interview details
- Station: KTAL News Now (KTAL/KMSS), Shreveport, Louisiana
- Host: Anthony Mocklin
- Aired: November 11, 2026
- Length: about 5 minutes
- Read the article: KTAL News
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