# 26. Judicial manipulation ## 26.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 26.5.3. Show Trials This is a manipulative technique where politicians make a public display of an opponent in a trial whose results are pre-determined. Show trials can have willing, bribed or coerced defendants. One example is the recent show trial of certain Goldman Sachs executives. Show trials may prop up a regime by sending implicit messages or threats to similar groups, chilling the economic, social, or political environment as a whole, and may be used to mobilise populist sentiment. In return, a willing show trial defendant may receive reduced penalties or hidden rewards. Conversely, an unwilling defendant may be used as an example of government "resolve" and be very harshly punished.