how it's done elsewhere

    An ancient right of the people that still exists in some monarchies is an appeal to the crown for a new trial. That's not something that a chief executive can do in the United States, and it might be a good idea. In some countries, anyone who could make their way into the presence of a member of the royal family could be granted a new trial--the fairness of the trial monitored by the royal family. Perhaps governors of states should be given the same capacity in America--or the president for federal crimes.