Drew Peterson's Trial *FIFTH WEEK* part two

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Ah! Ok, so she did get it in.

I hope pros really brings this out in closing. If I can forget she said it, then the jurors can too.........

Well, they shouldn't have two stacks of knowledge -things they know and things that were testified to - like us!!
 
I believe Vinnie just said IS will cover DP closings all day Tuesday and then go to verdict watch. So no more Hemy?
 
Oh sister, I hope you are right. I don't want another Summer of WTFness like last year's with CA.

I don't think this is the same type of jury as CA's case. That jury ignored the judge's instructions and just did what would get them out asap. There was something very wrong with that jury. Not because of the fact they found her not guilty but by the very way they went about it.

When I was on a jury the foreman had us vote right away and when we all agreed on the verdict he went around the table one-by-one and asked each of us how we came to that conclusion and did we have any doubts that we wanted to discuss. One juror did have a question which we sent to the judge and we were called back into the courtroom so it could be read to the attorneys. Once we had our answer we returned to the room, had a discussion on what we were told and voted once again. I'm encouraged by a jury that sends a question out to the judge rather than guess at it themselves because I feel they are really doing their job. jmo
 
For as cocky and confident the DT want us to believe they are that there isn't even evidence of a murder let alone that DP was in that house.......they sure are fighting for an awful lot of special instructions today.
 
Judge Burmila takes the bench, and the jury charge conference continues. The question of the proposed defense instruction regarding “impeachment by omission” is once again addressed. The defense has given the judge some case law on this issue. Prosecutor Griffin responds, argues that this issue is adequately covered by a standard impeachment instruction. Judge: “I tend to agree with the State . . . the parties can argue the inferences that can be drawn by the omission. So the defendant’s proposed instruction is denied.”
 
I am pages and pages behind...I keep getting company dangit. Anyway did y'all hear the artist yesterday, she said Drew was physically quaking- she demonstrated with her own hands/ arms. She said it was so pronounced she elbowed an artist next to her and said "look at Drew", or words to that effect.
I would pay money to see that $@&%!!! quaking.

Good, Drew, be scared. Be very scared. YOU ARE GOING DOWN!!!

abbie/ moo
 
In Session The next proposed defense instruction involves “failure to produce evidence or a witness.” The defense hopes for an instruction based on a similar civil instruction, and offers that civil instruction for use as a template. Attorney Greenberg cites case law that he believes supports the defendant’s argument. Judge: “The Court recognizes there are instructions that can be given to the jury in regards to the failure to call a witness . . . the defendant does not have the ability to use a shield as a sword . . . I think it would only be confusing, and the defendant’s proposed instruction is denied.”
 
In Session The next proposed defense instruction concerns regarding “the multiplicity of attorneys.” Greenberg says this is important “because of the number of attorneys in this case, and because this case is being personally prosecuted by the State’s Attorney . . . given the number of times the jury had to be excluded, and the length of time, I think it’s important the jury knows it’s no one’s fault . . . it just reinforces, especially given the length of time. Where’s the harm?” Prosecutor Griffin: “I believe this misstates the law, and I don’t even understand the reason for it.” Judge: “I think the record has to be clear; there was an unusual number of sidebars in this case . . . we wouldn’t them to be frustrated in any fashion in regards to the number of times they did have to leave the courtroom . . . I think if you guys could get your heads together along the lines of some instruction, I think it would be helpful. If you could agree on some language, I think it might be appropriate in this case to address that subject again.”
 
In Session The defense offers an instruction regarding “the prior conviction of a witness.” The prosecution objects to this instruction (which seems to deal solely with prosecution witness Jeff Pachter). The judge decides to give this instruction. “It goes to the issue of moral turpitude, and I’m going to give it.”
 
In Session The next defense proposal has to do with the issue of jury speculation regarding the bifurcation of the Peterson/Savio divorce (and incorrect statements of the law regarding that issue, specifically how the death of one of the parties affects that proceeding). Before he hears argument on this issue, Judge Burmila consults a bound reference volume. Judge: “The instruction is mostly testimonial in its outlook . . . to remind the jurors they heard this testimony, that’s testimonial, not a statement of the law . . . you need to put it in an explanation of the law, rather than a recount of the testimony.”
 
During jury deliberations, we'll open a thread that will specifically be for discussion on what we think will be the verdict. I think it will be a very interesting topic! We'll play the jury, based solely on what we saw presented during the trial.


:seeya: Good idea !

BBM: Should we all wear the same color ? Should we dress alike ? Should we dress like lawyers ?

Oh ... I couldn't resist ! :couch:

:seeya:
 
In Session Greenberg offers the next proposed defense instruction, which concerns “the implication that Mr. Peterson might be a beneficiary of some kind . . . we would like you to inform the jury that he was no longer an heir, because they were divorced, and he was not listed as a beneficiary in the will.” Prosecutor Griffin responds, objecting to the defense’s proposed instruction. “What matters is what his state of mind was, and whether he thought he might have specific financial benefits from this crime.” Koch: “That goes right to his state of mind. We wanted to produce testimony to that, and we were precluded from doing so.” Greenberg: “All we’re asking you to do is present a correct statement under the law.” Judge: “The defendant’s instruction will not be given. The evidence in this case in regards to the issue of what the defendant’s posture would be post-divorce and in advance of the property distribution, I think, is irrelevant . . . this instruction is one that goes toward evidence, and not the law in this case . . . so I don’t see any need for this instruction at all; it’s not an accurate statement of the law, as it’s applicable in this case. So it will not be given.”
 
In Session Greenberg offers the next proposed defense instruction, which concerns “the implication that Mr. Peterson might be a beneficiary of some kind . . . we would like you to inform the jury that he was no longer an heir, because they were divorced, and he was not listed as a beneficiary in the will.” Prosecutor Griffin responds, objecting to the defense’s proposed instruction. “What matters is what his state of mind was, and whether he thought he might have specific financial benefits from this crime.” Koch: “That goes right to his state of mind. We wanted to produce testimony to that, and we were precluded from doing so.” Greenberg: “All we’re asking you to do is present a correct statement under the law.” Judge: “The defendant’s instruction will not be given. The evidence in this case in regards to the issue of what the defendant’s posture would be post-divorce and in advance of the property distribution, I think, is irrelevant . . . this instruction is one that goes toward evidence, and not the law in this case . . . so I don’t see any need for this instruction at all; it’s not an accurate statement of the law, as it’s applicable in this case. So it will not be given.”

Why do they keep bringing this up when we all know DP would be in control of the inheritance since his kids were minors? Is there evidence that he kept the money for them until they were adults?

Put that on my list of jury questions for the judge.
 
No wonder why I was waiting:
In Session The State objects to the next proposed defense instruction, saying it’s irrelevant. Brodsky responds: “This goes to correct a misstatement of the law that Mr. Smith gave from the stand.” Judge: “I will say that when Mr. Smith made this statement in front of the jury about concealing a homicidal death . . . at the time, you did not cross-examine him any further when he made the statement. Is that correct?” Brodsky: “I only cross-examined him on his prior statements that it was extortion.” Judge; “So you had an opportunity to cross-examine him on whether the information he was giving the jury was incorrect?” Brodsky: “I was a bit taken by surprise.” Judge: “How does the fact that you were surprised and did not cross-examine him on this issue, how does a jury instruction cure that?” Brodsky: “Because it would advise the jurors that the law he told them was wrong. They could use that in evaluating the weight and credibility to give his testimony.” Greenberg: “The jury should be advised that it was an incorrect statement of the law. To do otherwise is to leave the jurors with an incorrect understanding of the law.” Griffin: “The correct understanding of the law they need to have is the law of this case.” Judge: “You’re not disputing that what he [Smith] said was wrong?” Griffin: “All Mr. Smith was doing was clarifying that he was not talking to her about extortion.” Judge: “But Mr. Smith says he was advising her about a crime that she could not have committed.” Griffin: “This is not something that should be included in a jury instruction; it should have been addressed at the time that Mr. Smith was testifying.” Judge: “I believe everybody will believe that what she told him did not constitute the crime of concealing a homicidal death . . . that’s a separate issue from whether or not a special instruction is curative. What Ms. Griffin said is correct; if you abandon that line of questioning, I don’t know if you can come back and ask for a jury instruction later.” Greenberg: “The fact is that he was wrong, and it is the Court’s obligation to advise the jury on the law, not a witness’ obligation . . . it would be unjust to have the jury have an incorrect understanding of the law simply because maybe something should have been said or done earlier.” Judge: “You [the defense] called him . . . you called this witness . . . there’s nothing I can see that the State did to augment or embellish Mr. Smith’s testimony. The defendant’s proposed instruction is denied . . . there was no request for a sidebar, no request that the Court correct the information. So the relief the defendant seeks in the form of a jury instruction is denied.”
 
In Session Brodsky proposes the next defense special instruction (regarding accusations of witnesses of wrongdoing by the defendant). “This is the only crime that he’s charged with . . . they should not consider any other collateral evidence of wrongdoing.” Griffin: “It seems to me that the defendant’s suggesting that the jury can’t consider any of the evidence against him.” Brodsky: “Some of those people Mr. Pelkie has escorted to the microphone have said why Stacy Peterson is not here . . . people are saying jurors will consider that against Mr. Peterson . . . there’s other accusations out there, Judge. Jurors are only to consider the charged crime, and not anything outside of that. It seems as if a lot of the State’s case was aimed at bringing in other accusations against the defendant and getting them in front of the jury.” Judge: “I understand the argument that the defendant is making . . . I think the instructions as a whole address the issue that the defendant is concerned about . . . that objection is overruled, and will not be given.”
 
In Session Judge Burmila is on the bench. “Good morning, everyone . . . this is a jury instruction conference. Then the State has filed a motion in limine, which we’ll discuss after the instruction conference is over.”

In Session Attorney Joel Brodsky addresses the Court regarding the first proposed instruction. The defense wants extra language in a standard instruction telling jurors not to let sympathy or prejudice influence their deliberations. Prosecutor Koch argues against the modified language. Brodsky: “The jury should be aware that [punishment] is not for them to worry about.” Judge: “The version submitted by the State is a correct statement of the law. The defendant’s modified [version] is denied.”

In Session The next instruction concerns outside sources of information. Once again, the defense offers a modified version, says the instruction as written is actually appropriate for a pre-trial instruction, not post-trial. The judge seems inclined not to re-read the instruction to the jury, but to submit it along with the written instructions. Brodsky: “We’ve had multiple people who have been sitting behind the State’s table, and actually instructed in and out of the courtroom by Chuck Pelkie, who after court addressed favorably the way the State’s case was going, and addressed in a negative fashion the way the case was going for the defense . . .they’re also on occasion criticizing the Court’s rulings. I don’t know what Mr. Pelkie is telling them . . . I just think that given the potential of some connection, reading this instruction to instruct the jury once again that they’re not to consider anything that may have filtered by to them through the press is beneficial to ensuring that Mr. Peterson gets a fair trial.”

In Session Prosecutor Koch responds, calls this defense complaint “purely speculative . . . I don’t see the purpose in reading this again at the end of the case.” Attorney Greenberg: “Why not give it, just in an overabundance of caution? There’s no harm.” Judge: “First of all, in regards to the allegations about communications with the press, I don’t know that what you’ve related to me today is something I can take into account . . . if what you’re saying is accurate, and the State’s Attorney’s office is using an agent to make derogatory comments about the Court, that’s something they’re going to have to answer to in a different setting. The case law in Illinois is completely clear that these instructions should not be modified, unless there’s a significant reason to modify them . . . we did give the instruction before the trial started . . . over the defendant’s objection, the instruction will not be modified, and it will be given to the jury in writing.”

In Session The next instruction involves the believability of witnesses. Brodsky has no objection to this instruction, and the instruction will be given as prepared.


So, the 3 <modsnip> who are hammering it up for the camera's non stop are complaining about what has been leaked to the media? This defense team has more temper tantrums than all the 3 yr olds in Will County combined. For a group that instigates and then cries foul, they've done it endlessly throught the trial and it has not gone unnoticed.


on an OT note, anyone interested in seeing how Brodsky will be ostracized by his profession after the trial is over? I have the sinking feeling that is exactly what is going to happen after that cliff dive he took putting Smith on the stand.
 
No wonder why I was waiting:
In Session The State objects to the next proposed defense instruction, saying it’s irrelevant. Brodsky responds: “This goes to correct a misstatement of the law that Mr. Smith gave from the stand.” Judge: “I will say that when Mr. Smith made this statement in front of the jury about concealing a homicidal death . . . at the time, you did not cross-examine him any further when he made the statement. Is that correct?” Brodsky: “I only cross-examined him on his prior statements that it was extortion.” Judge; “So you had an opportunity to cross-examine him on whether the information he was giving the jury was incorrect?” Brodsky: “I was a bit taken by surprise.” Judge: “How does the fact that you were surprised and did not cross-examine him on this issue, how does a jury instruction cure that?” Brodsky: “Because it would advise the jurors that the law he told them was wrong. They could use that in evaluating the weight and credibility to give his testimony.” Greenberg: “The jury should be advised that it was an incorrect statement of the law. To do otherwise is to leave the jurors with an incorrect understanding of the law.” Griffin: “The correct understanding of the law they need to have is the law of this case.” Judge: “You’re not disputing that what he [Smith] said was wrong?” Griffin: “All Mr. Smith was doing was clarifying that he was not talking to her about extortion.” Judge: “But Mr. Smith says he was advising her about a crime that she could not have committed.” Griffin: “This is not something that should be included in a jury instruction; it should have been addressed at the time that Mr. Smith was testifying.” Judge: “I believe everybody will believe that what she told him did not constitute the crime of concealing a homicidal death . . . that’s a separate issue from whether or not a special instruction is curative. What Ms. Griffin said is correct; if you abandon that line of questioning, I don’t know if you can come back and ask for a jury instruction later.” Greenberg: “The fact is that he was wrong, and it is the Court’s obligation to advise the jury on the law, not a witness’ obligation . . . it would be unjust to have the jury have an incorrect understanding of the law simply because maybe something should have been said or done earlier.” Judge: “You [the defense] called him . . . you called this witness . . . there’s nothing I can see that the State did to augment or embellish Mr. Smith’s testimony. The defendant’s proposed instruction is denied . . . there was no request for a sidebar, no request that the Court correct the information. So the relief the defendant seeks in the form of a jury instruction is denied.”


:denied:

:party:
 
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