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Just working through these one at a time. Has this actually been shown? I think we need to be very careful. For instance from what I understand DK must have had paypal Authority. And as far as I can see he submitted a paypal request on the face of the record, rather than creating any fraudulent documents. So if he had the lawful authority to authorise the payment this is not criminal in my view, though may well have lead to civil liability. So for instance, if he suspected Joey might have been murdered, and thus decided to action the disputed sum while he still could - this is in my view completely stupid but we can't assume stealing, IMO.
Trouble I have with this is that the threats appeared to be to 404 the site or remove SEO backlinks.
While I agree this is damaging to a business partnership, these are not unusual threats for web suppliers to make when owed money.
I have done it in 2018 myself as a last resort because it is the only leverage you have to getting paid. Indeed this is why as hosts we keep the keys to the crown jewels whenever we can! If you read Joey's long email to his webhost, in his own words, he outlines his intention to end the business partnership for largely strategic reasons. I happen to agree with Joey's reasons, but I also have a great deal of sympathy for DK in that situation and I think it is is no way clear that Joey did not in fact owe DK a reasonable payout to end the relationship.
In my opinion DK got outmaneuvered by Joey because he was too naive. In the end the SEO was the entire sales pipeline and DK controlled it. That was his leverage to achieve a favourable exit. And why should he not get his best exit?
If.
I suspect the Hawaii evidence is going to be rather like the graveside knife. Something speculated into existence.
I agree if this witness is credible, that will be reasonable doubt. But will the witness provide details that check out? Or will it just be a wild accusation?
Agreed.
Chase displayed knowledge of the time of death. The case against his is overwhelming IMO
"No Good-Byes"Where can I read this email?
All true. However, the documents might be in the old case files of the police department. And the District Attorneys are the ones that hand over the discovery. Are they going to hand over every piece of paper concerning every prior suspect over the past several years of the police investigation? I think they are expected legally to hand over every document concerning Chase Merritt and that investigation of him as a suspect.
But there may be documents still in police files that concern OTHER SUSPECTS, that the DA would not see as relevant when they handed over the Discovery info.
The difficult situation for the prosecution, in my opinion, is that some of the reasons they cite for accusing Chase, also exist for DK.
Chase stole from Joey. >>>So did DK.
Joey was going to fire Chase. >>>Joey fired DK already and was in process of buying him out.
Chase was angry with Joey and Summer.>>> So was DK.
In fact, DK had threatened Joey, IIRC. I believe there is written evidence of those threats.
So if the defense can show that DK lied about his Hawaiian alibi, that would be quite damning evidence. That would show consciousness of guilt that he needed to manufacture that alibi.
Add to that, detailed, emotional witness testimony, from an ex girlfriend, who claims to be frightened of DK because of all the things he told her when he confessed to killing the family...
I think that would be a large vat of reasonable doubt.
The most damning evidence against Chase is the Quickbook checks on the 4th and 5th. I hope it can overcome the weight of the doubt being created by DK's behavior/history.
The procedural submissions and general dressing down from the Judge at the end of this session include the revelation that in 2013 CM googled how to change his identity (around 57mins)
We are getting a witness on this.
Yes, you are correct. It might not have been fraudulent, per se. It doesn't look nearly as bad as sneaking into Joey's home and using the computer to write and print out checks to himself. That is true.
That's all true. But it might look bad to the jury. IIRC, he sounded very angry and scary, like he was going a bit overboard.
I am not so sure about that. I am afraid that they didn't really go to great lengths to fully investigate his alibi. I think they accepted what he showed them, which may not be ironclad.
Worst case scenario, DK was in Hawaii, but the detectives didn't fully document it, and now it could be brought into legal question.
My fear is that the witness provided details that do fit the evidence. For example, in her version, the family was not killed in the home. That seems to fit the forensics better than the state's current theory.
Will the jury accept that 4 people were bludgeoned with a sledgehammer, and there is no blood in the home or in the vehicles? I think that is going to be a big problem,
I used to think the case against him was overwhelming. Right now, I fear it looks a bit underwhelming. The Quickbooks look to nail him. But I am not clear on some of the other things I had counted on.
I haven't yet seen clear evidence of any 30k that Chase stole from Joey. I am not saying he didn't--just saying that so far it hasn't been clarified in testimony. JMO
But I do know that it is early in the trial and I need to be more patient.