With the evidence and witnesses presented, it really comes down to what someone *wants* to believe, as far as the general public audience is concerned. Someone who distrusts law enforcement and prosecutors will tend to discredit the evidence as "cooked up" or "skewed" in favor of the prosecution.
The defense has continually used this angle in cross examining, hoping at least one of the jurors is weary of our justice system. I have to believe that the jurors are seeing right through this tactic each and every time. The DNA witness from Tuesday and Wednesday this week, IMO, really helped to debunk the "other DNA in the graves" argument from the defense's opening statement.
The forensic accounting testimony from yesterday and today in and of itself doesn't look like much, until the jury deliberates at the end, and ties in Merritt's numerous statements (LIES) with evidence of his financial condition and the carelessness and mismanagement of money. The jury will re-listed to interviews, and re-read their notes where the defendant claimed things like "I won't be able to pay rent if Joseph doesn't come back soon" as well as various other statements (LIES) the defendant made regarding the business arrangements, how money changed hands, etc.
And this is only the beginning! We've yet hear another 2 to 3 months of witness testimony. I also believe the prosecution will dismantle most of the defense's witnesses, and in the end, the defense will have very little to support their arguments against the mountain of damning puzzle pieces that will be pieced together by the jury. Every day Charles Merritt walks into that courtroom, he is a doomed man walking closer toward his day of judgement, both here and beyond.
All my own opinion, of course.
