Still Missing CT - Jennifer Dulos, 50, New Canaan, 24 May 2019 *ARRESTS* #58

[Megnut]

Back in court, jury not present.

Defense objecting.

Wants record stricken as to bad acts that were just described by LA. Defense says they're bad acts, they're too remote in time and there's no relevance to MT.

Judge overruled. Says he doesn't call the ball before it's hit. [I think that's his he said it. It was en pointe!]

 

[Megnut]

LA is about to describe an incident that she witnessed in 2017 relative to the Porsche.

Defense objects before she can.

Judge sustains the objection. Says every episode between estranged parties is cumulative. Won't allow.

 

[Megnut]

LA is describing the day Jennifer left, JFd and LA and the kids. Told FD they were going to NY but instead went to a hotel. JFd had a bodyguard. FD contacted LA, accused her of abducting his children.

JFd stayed at the hotel for a week. Rented a home...

LA called to testify during the custody hearing.

FD came at LA yelling at her, accusing her of kidnapping the children. She did not engage. FD came a second time, with his attorney, calm and apologetic.

For a time, LA dropped the children off at 4J for visitation. FD yelled at her in front of the children, accused her again of kidnapping, said she was only with JFd because JFd paid her student loans. FD threatened she (LA) would never see the children again.

LA stopped dropping the children off. Infirm JFd she wasn't comfortable around FD.

 

[Megnut]

LA is describing a basketball hoop that JFd was excited to show her.

Defense objection. Hearsay.

State says it's not proffering it for hearsay. Only as foundation for what action LA took next.

Sidebar.

Judge allows it.

JFd told LA the garage was a mess. LA took it upon herself to clean the garage. Sports bay. Had a red or white pail or bucket of cleaning supplies. Camping pillows.

 

[Megnut]

LA is describing FD arriving for visitation. FD was notoriously late. Arrived early and pulled all the way up the driveway. He was supposed to wait at the bottom for the visitation supervisor to escort him.

LA left because she didn't want to be around FD. Texted JFd before she returned to make sure FD was gone.

 

[afitzy]

JAS sitting beside MT today. To remind her to keep her expression controlled while LA is present?

I think that is because his colleague from the other firm will be first chair now to cross examine LA and not JS.

 

[Megnut]

Quote of the day from LA, regarding a child who wanted her hair braided: Jennifer had many talents, hair was not one of them.

Touching levity.

 

[Jmoose]

Who is talking and can be heard on their microphone WHILE Judge Randolph is speaking? Very distracting.

Isn’t that the translator you’re hearing? It’s super distracting, but I think by design. Someone I know who has been in the courtroom two of the three days said it’s annoying, and the translator is fairly close to the jury.

 

[Megnut]

LA is describing preparations for FD's return. All door were licked, including the mudroom.

LA and JFd prepared the food and cutlery etc so it could all be done outside.

State is asking about paper towels. LA brought up a 12 pack of paper towels which she put in the pantry.

JFd asked LA to stay Thursday night so JFd could go to an early doctor appointment and so LA could pick the children up from school, half day.

Instead, LA did not stay over.

We are now seeing a text exchange between LA and JFd.

[Gut punch. We're seeing JFd's last text.]

 

[Megnut]

LA is describing returning to Welles the morning of.

LA noticed the Range Rover was still there, the Suburban gone. Jennifer had said she was going to take to RR...

Inside, LA noticed JFd's purse. LA noticed JFd's full cup of tea and granola bar.

Noticed there were no paper towels on the holder. Went into the pantry to get another. Odd to her because there were only 2 not 12.

She picked up some children, returned to Welles where they had lunch. Tidied up, texted JFd with no response. Sent her some texts, JFd didn't arrive at Gloria's so LA tried to call JFd. LA decided to go straight to the orthodontist hoping JFd would meet them there.

No responses.

[Because of course she was dead.]

 

[Megnut]

LA felt bad. Stomach sank when JFd didn't answer the phone call.

She got the children situated in their appointments, started calling around to see if anyone had talked to JFd.

LA called JFd's appointment and learned JFd didn't make it to her appointment.

She called the friends again, taxied to Gloria's. She and a friend called the police.

LA told the police: Mother of five missing, contentious divorce, FD had purchased a gun.

Defense objected. Judge had the gun stricken and admonished the juror to disregard.

 

[Megnut]

Now LA is talking about taking a call from FD. About her bringing the children to him for his visitation. She says it was weird and he was adamant. MOO

Now we're seeing a text exchange between LA and FD.

 

[carolmaria]

Thank God for LA’s love and protective good judgement, dear Gloria Farber, and Jennifer’s friends who acted so quickly to alert LE and protect the children in New Canaan. I believe Jennifer would be proud. There are no words for this…

 

[Megnut]

More of the text exchange

FD was asking LA for updates.

LA already intended not to bring the children to him because see was afraid.

FD asks by text if she's coming to New Canaan. She does not answer.

Now FD has a new phone. FD asks about C, the one child who had not come with the others.

On the 27th, FD came to Gloria's house. They called the police. NYPD responded. FD was not able to see the children.

 

[Megnut]

LE brought photos to NY for LA to see.

We're seeing that photo of their sports stuff in the 3rd bay. Sports and camping.

She points to where the camping pillows would have been, next to sleeping bags.

Now a photo of more shelves. LA says the red or white bucket of cleaning supplies was missing. A sponge that's on the floor had been in the bucket when she last saw it.

 

[Megnut]

Returned to New Canaan for the children to attend a school function, then went to the PD to be fingerprinted, LA and the children.

State asks if she remains their nanny. Yes.

Are you their primary care provider. No. Gloria is. Their grandmother.

[Oh, Jennifer. You paid with your blood. But your children are safe and loved.]

 

[Megnut]

Cross.

The defense is asking about LA's work for the Fore Group in 2017. Asking about PG. She Said she mainly worked with subcontractors but did work with PG on occasion.

Now we're looking at a photo of 4F, LA points to the area to the one side above the garage as the office. Now we're seeing an interior shot of an office room. Defense is asking about interactions with FD and other employees, 4 or 5. Now we're seeing another room adjacent, a meeting room. Office has a dedicated entrance, completely separate from the house proper.

Now we're seeing headsets of Fore Group employees. One of whom is PG. Defense is asking her about each person. One intern was offered a job. Ben. He did things with the children from time to time.

Defense is asking about her relationship with FD. Good relationship, a mentor. LA describes their marriage as odd. Lots of vacations. Various combos of travel. Sometimes with just the two oldest boys. Sometimes by himself. Defense is pressing a point. Didn't know where FD was or why he was gone or whether he was with anyone, whether for work or water skiing.

LA traveled alone with FD to Greece and to Miami. Alone apparently included the children.

Without Jennifer.

Judge calls for lunch. Recess until 2pm.

 

[shotgun09]

Observation and Opinion only, but it appears as though MT has been instructed to bow her head low, let her hair hang down to cover her face, when the court has recessed ( Twice now ). There will be no scowling faces or daggers shown, as Lauren A steps down off the stand, and out of court.

She has been schooled. IMO

 

[Megnut]

My personal takeaway on the morning:

LA is rock solid. As a witness. As a human being. Remarkable the steady dedication.

It makes me ANGRY that FD got angry with her, accused her of abducting the children.

With Gloria, she is RAISING the children.

Orphaned at the hands of FD. They were not property, to be bandied about, playthings to dangle his fast lifestyle in front of.

What's that book? About Fear? *The Gift of Fear* LA trusted her gut. Thanks to her quick thinking and Gloria's smart protection, we have no additional casualties...

Both Jennifer's fear and Jennifer's love found voice today.

JMO

 

[carolmaria]

(snipped)
What's that book? About Fear? LA trusted her gut. Thanks to her quick thinking and Gloria's smart protection, we have no additional casualties...

Both Jennifer's fear and Jennifer's love found voice today.

JMO

The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence
Thanks for the reminder. It's a good one. Some people have natural spidey sense, IMO; this is a great guide to building, cultivating, and constructively acting on it.