There was some discussion on this point today inso far as Jury Instructions. I didn’t hear all of it - but there are jury instructions that go to “what is reasonable doubt” which is not the same as zero doubt, or an supported and self serving statement of no evidence. I’ll go back and look for the quote from the bench.
There is also a jury instruction on circumstantial evidence - that the jury can presume facts that aren’t expressly in evidence, but for which there is no other rational explanation. To me - these are things like lying about what you did in the early morning at the same time a murder is being committed, the convenience of the school drop timing, the zero credibility lunch, the open house cover story, the bizarre cleaning and car shuffle, fire, dumpster.
There is a ton of electronic evidence that jurors love. It’s like CSI DNA. The phone manipulation “puts her at the proverbial kennel (I can’t help continuing to make the Murdaugh comparison- a fraction of time can refute an elaborate cover story.)” Murdaugh crazy driving back and forth to see his mom.
My experience is this is a good circumstantial case - especially where the circumstantial evidence is all you have because the Defendant is actively obstructing justice.
How many times in 1 day can you be in the wrong place at the wrong time and be 100% clueless. She was in lock step with FD the entire day whether physically or electronically.
Add to that Defendant has zero credibility. Her attorney is nails on a chalkboard (although jury will be charged not to hold the Defendant accountable for dislike of attorney - good luck with that). Defendant has no humanizing qualities - she has disdain and animus towards Jennifer that seems disproportionate to the circumstances.
She has no interests outside of high risk sports like dirt bike racing and competitive water skiing (whatever that is), prestige clubs, and socializing which make her appear vapid and self absorbed. She is happy getting hair colored the morning after Jennifer goes missing. I can’t imagine feeling sympathy for her.
Now - I have been wrong before, and sometimes you have a holdout juror who ignores the Judge’s charge and demands more proof than what the law requires. I pray this is not that case.
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