Cesar Laurean's Trial

[LiveLaughLuv]

Marine convicted of killing colleague feels wrath of victim's mother
By the CNN Wire Staff
August 24, 2010 5:58 a.m. EDT

(CNN) -- A former Marine who was convicted of killing a pregnant female colleague felt the wrath of the victim's mother.

"I think you failed in your performance as a Marine. I think you failed in your responsibilities to your fellow Marines. I think you failed in your responsibilities to your family. I think you failed in your responsibilities to God," said Mary Lauterbach, whose daughter Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach was killed by former Marine Cesar Laurean.

The heartbroken mother got to address Laurean during her victim impact statement Monday, the families' lawyer said.

Laurean was convicted in North Carolina Monday of first degree murder in the 2007 death of Lauterbach, who was eight months pregnant when she died.

An autopsy showed that Lauterbach, 20, died of blunt force trauma to the head. Police unearthed her charred body from beneath a barbecue pit in Laurean's backyard in January 2008. She had disappeared the month before.

Mary Lauterbach addressed the gruesome circumstances of her daughter's death during her statement.

"We will never have the opportunity to see and hold Gabriel, Maria's unborn child," Mary Lauterbach said. "You have taken all of that away from us. You have taken Maria's life, and then you desecrated her even more by trying to burn her body in your own backyard. Cesar Laurean, when you destroyed Maria's life, you destroyed your own life."

more
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/08/24/north.carolina.marine.murder/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

 

[ohiogirl]

Wow, I don't think I have ever seen a jury return so quickly. Thank you to all who were able to follow this trial and post about it. RIP Maria & Gabriel.

 

[dgfred]

Don't you worry yourself a bit I'll be there all the way with Mr. Young - Michelle was my friend. Her mother and sister are my friends. I will not be able to be in the court room everyday but I promise you more days than not. I'll take a leave of absence from werk if I have to LOL

Looking forward to it TG! Enjoyed posting on this case with you guys/gals.

 

[Topsail Girl]

me too dgfred!!

 

[FRAMMJO]

I have been lurking and thank all you posters for your info.
Now for my unanswered questions,

1. How can I see the same photos shown to the jury?
2. Morbid, perhaps, but I want to see the photos of the autopsy, body in pit, garage spatters in garage, etc.
3. Links to where I can see Sherriff sitting in court, Christina with lawyer on defense side with sunglasses on top of her head. Any other photos of Christina.
4. What does MOO mean? I understand TIA.
5. Any hope of learning identity of REAL father of Maria's baby?

TIA (Thanks In Advance)

 

[Lindadanette]

RIP Maria & Gabriel - I hope that the civil suit uncovers Christina's complicity in this case.

 

[raisincharlie]

I have been lurking and thank all you posters for your info.
Now for my unanswered questions,

1. How can I see the same photos shown to the jury?
2. Morbid, perhaps, but I want to see the photos of the autopsy, body in pit, garage spatters in garage, etc.
3. Links to where I can see Sherriff sitting in court, Christina with lawyer on defense side with sunglasses on top of her head. Any other photos of Christina.
4. What does MOO mean? I understand TIA.
5. Any hope of learning identity of REAL father of Maria's baby?

TIA (Thanks In Advance)

As to the photos - I don't beleive those will be publically released. However, if you are in North Carolina you can make an appointment with the coroner's office to review autopsy photos related to just about any crime related death. The coroner's office is in Chapel Hill I believe. Perhaps a local can provide you with additional informatio but you do have to make an appointment.

WRAL in Raleigh carried the trial (WRAL.com) and they have snippets of the testimony and trial still up. You could probably review those and catch a glimpse of Christina. This link: http://www.wral.com/news/local/asset_gallery/8129837/

As to the identity of the father, I suspect there is no way to obtain that information.

MOO - my own opinion.

Not much help but some.

 

[Topsail Girl]

I have been lurking and thank all you posters for your info.
Now for my unanswered questions,

1. How can I see the same photos shown to the jury?
2. Morbid, perhaps, but I want to see the photos of the autopsy, body in pit, garage spatters in garage, etc.
3. Links to where I can see Sherriff sitting in court, Christina with lawyer on defense side with sunglasses on top of her head. Any other photos of Christina.
4. What does MOO mean? I understand TIA.
5. Any hope of learning identity of REAL father of Maria's baby?

TIA (Thanks In Advance)

FRAMMJO RC is correct. You can see the photos at the M/E's office in Chapel Hill by appointment. If you go to WRAL and look through the segments there is one of the M/E testifying and he held up a pic of Gabriel in the pit. I couldn't watch any more so I stopped, but you may see more of the photos in that segment. As for pics of Christina in court - I think RC would be correct about that as well. Real father - I doubt that will ever be released even if the investigators knew.

 

[Topsail Girl]

I forgot to ask a local to PLEASE get me a copy of the News Argus because I'm sure this was front page. If anne has an extra copy please PM me. I will be happy to pay for the paper and the postage

 

[believe09]

Was any other outcome even possible? He is a lucky man that he walked away with his life...three hours. Amazing. Guess there wasnt much to discuss.

 

[GeekyGirl]

Very interesting article...

http://www.jdnews.com/articles/bodycopyrag-81886-wife-cpl.html

Talks about Christina, why they didn't charge her and possible grounds for an appeal for Cesar.

 

[panthera]

Very interesting article...

http://www.jdnews.com/articles/bodycopyrag-81886-wife-cpl.html

Talks about Christina, why they didn't charge her and possible grounds for an appeal for Cesar.

Very interesting indeed!!

From the link -

"His attorney, Jacksonville lawyer Dick McNeil said Tuesday that he believes another lawyer will have good ground to stand on in seeking an appeal in his client’s case.
He said the jury did away with the felony murder rule by acquitting Cesar Laurean of armed robbery. And in the absence of evidence of premeditation, the jury should have been able to find for second-degree murder.
“The judge boxed the jury in by not allowing for the lesser conviction, which is mandatory in many jurisdictions,” McNeil said."

I also am glad they're finally looking more closely at charges against Christina. MOO

 

[GeekyGirl]

Very interesting indeed!!

From the link -

"His attorney, Jacksonville lawyer Dick McNeil said Tuesday that he believes another lawyer will have good ground to stand on in seeking an appeal in his client’s case.
He said the jury did away with the felony murder rule by acquitting Cesar Laurean of armed robbery. And in the absence of evidence of premeditation, the jury should have been able to find for second-degree murder.
“The judge boxed the jury in by not allowing for the lesser conviction, which is mandatory in many jurisdictions,” McNeil said."

I also am glad they're finally looking more closely at charges against Christina. MOO

I think we called the appeal on the the failure to include the lesser charges.

It seems to me that if the state had pressed charges against Christina prior to Cesar being convicted, it could have hurt their case, especially with the "it could have been her defense". I'd still love to see the documents that convinced Hudson she wasn't involved... It just still smells a little to me.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I just had to pop back in when I saw this article.:furious:

Man what a crappy investigation. IMO they didn't investigate her at all imo because they thought she would divorce Laurean and be their star witness. I think they gave her a pass because they were so darn afraid of what would be found that could muddle up their case against Laurean.

Now I am wondering if it was the defense who filed a motion requesting that the state test the crowbar. What Prosecution waits 19 days before the trial to get the most important DNA evidence back????? I think the state stalled on the test because they were fearful themselves of who's DNA would be on there.

Now that they have taken almost three years to get around to it, I wouldn't believe a word they say. I think they are trying to cover their butts now. IMO, they are getting heat from someone. It wouldn't surprise me if it wasnt some citizens that live in Jacksonville that have voiced major complaints.

It still bugs the dickens out of me that she couldn't be excluded from handling the crowbar and the DNA found was a MIXTURE of Maria's DNA AND one other person. What are the odds that two people's DNA was in the exact same area on that crowbar and one of the people living right in that home couldnt be excluded?

IMO

 

[panthera]

I think we called the appeal on the the failure to include the lesser charges.

It seems to me that if the state had pressed charges against Christina prior to Cesar being convicted, it could have hurt their case, especially with the "it could have been her defense". I'd still love to see the documents that convinced Hudson she wasn't involved... It just still smells a little to me.

Sadly I believe they were so intent on convicting Cesar they couldn't see the forest for the trees. After all, it was easy - Maria had accused him of rape and he fled to Mexico - so he must be the one who committed the murder! Not necessarily so if he is the "protector" his family described yesterday outside the courthouse. MOO

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Very interesting indeed!!

From the link -

"His attorney, Jacksonville lawyer Dick McNeil said Tuesday that he believes another lawyer will have good ground to stand on in seeking an appeal in his client’s case.
He said the jury did away with the felony murder rule by acquitting Cesar Laurean of armed robbery. And in the absence of evidence of premeditation, the jury should have been able to find for second-degree murder.
“The judge boxed the jury in by not allowing for the lesser conviction, which is mandatory in many jurisdictions,” McNeil said."

I also am glad they're finally looking more closely at charges against Christina. MOO

The lawsuit contends that Christina Laurean discovered Lauterbach’s wallet after Lauterbach’s disappearance and “knew or should have known that the wallet contained Maria’s driver’s license.”

The lawsuit points to evidence at the couple’s Meadow Trail home — such as drag marks leading to the firepit where Lauterbach’s body was discovered by authorities — as support that Christina Laurean knew about the crime. The lawsuit alleges she helped build the firepit.

But Christina Laurean insists that the firepit was a project her and her husband had talked about since they purchased 103 Meadow Trail, according to an answer to the lawsuit filed by Raleigh lawyer Michael Unti.

Why are they just looking to see if she helped him while he was on the lam? The reason she didn't send him money is because she probably didn't have any to send him and would never ask her parents.

I think she was up to her eyeballs in all of this from the get go.

What woman finds a wallet in their home and doesn't read the name of the woman who is on the drivers license?

imo

 

[panthera]

The lawsuit contends that Christina Laurean discovered Lauterbach’s wallet after Lauterbach’s disappearance and “knew or should have known that the wallet contained Maria’s driver’s license.”

The lawsuit points to evidence at the couple’s Meadow Trail home — such as drag marks leading to the firepit where Lauterbach’s body was discovered by authorities — as support that Christina Laurean knew about the crime. The lawsuit alleges she helped build the firepit.

But Christina Laurean insists that the firepit was a project her and her husband had talked about since they purchased 103 Meadow Trail, according to an answer to the lawsuit filed by Raleigh lawyer Michael Unti.

Why are they just looking to see if she helped him while he was on the lam? The reason she didn't send him money is because she probably didn't have any to send him and would never ask her parents.

I think she was up to her eyeballs in all of this from the get go.

What woman finds a wallet in their home and doesn't read the name of the woman who is on the drivers license?

imo

I agree. And it wasn't just the wallet. Maria's car was there. The little girl's play area was moved to the unfenced front yard. The dog was moved to the front yard. And speaking of the dog, what dog wouldn't have noticed 'something' in the garage if Maria had been in there for two days before Cesar & his buddy went to Lowe's and started building the fire pit? The dog would've been going crazy! And Christina didn't find any of this unusual? :banghead: MOO

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I agree. And it wasn't just the wallet. Maria's car was there. The little girl's play area was moved to the unfenced front yard. The dog was moved to the front yard. And speaking of the dog, what dog wouldn't have noticed 'something' in the garage if Maria had been in there for two days before Cesar & his buddy went to Lowe's and started building the fire pit? The dog would've been going crazy! And Christina didn't find any of this unusual? :banghead: MOO

Christina is the most conveniently unobservant woman I have ever heard of.

This case stinks.

How can they even say that NOW they are going to look through the documents to see if she helped him. They didn't even have to start when he went to Mexico. She gave him a 4 hour leeway so he could long be gone and once he left she lawyered up.

IMO

 

[panthera]

Christina is the most conveniently unobservant woman I have ever heard of.

This case stinks.

How can they even say that NOW they are going to look through the documents to see if she helped him. They didn't even have to start when he went to Mexico. She gave him a 4 hour leeway so he could long be gone and once he left she lawyered up.

IMO

Again, I agree. I also believe, despite some statements by Hudson to the contrary, that the state was of the opinion that she would testify. Therefore, no one wanted any kind of investigation as to possible aiding and abetting charges before his trial. Thankfully now at least someone seems to be looking into it more thoroughly since she did not cooperate as planned. MOO

 

[GeekyGirl]

Christina is the most conveniently unobservant woman I have ever heard of.

This case stinks.

How can they even say that NOW they are going to look through the documents to see if she helped him. They didn't even have to start when he went to Mexico. She gave him a 4 hour leeway so he could long be gone and once he left she lawyered up.

IMO

I agree, and yet for such an unobservant woman, she has incredible legal savvy. She's managed to stay just this side of the legal line throughout this whole ordeal, at least so far. The four hour head start was ridiculous, especially considering someone called the lawyer's cell number from her phone at 4am that morning.

Panther, I agree that they expected some sort of testimony from her and I don't think they were pleased when she didn't cooperate.