sleutherontheside
Retired WS Staff
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2009
- Messages
- 9,874
- Reaction score
- -2
I have had mixed feelings about the Anthony's request.
I haven't read all the way through the thread and so if I duplicate thoughts.....:innocent:
In the beginning, my concern with their attendance was based upon the possiblity that the Anthony's would hear testimony and then change, alter, or otherwise skew their later answers to refute OR Support fellow witnesses
I was also worried that their presence would send a "message" to jurors that KC couldn't be guilty because.... "How in the world could they sit here if KC actually did it?"
Given their proclivity to sigh, shake their heads, mouth comments, smack gum, stand and attempt to interrupt, and wear their heart on their sleeve.......Jeff Ashton's comments are spot on.
After hearing Jeff Ashton's comments about the well documented depositions and lengthy LE interviews, I had to think further about "WHY" the State would NOT object.
Judge Perry is a very astute man. Not only is he "well trained" (just for you CM) and up to date (by the minute) on case law.....he also has a real gift for seeing 10 steps ahead, AND for anticipating tricks and schemes by the defense.
THEN.....recalling all my research on the teachings of Andrea Lyon....I consider her ABSOLUTE emphasis on family members of the accused being present as a support. She even commented about having families call friends and neighbors to attend trials to show a strong support system for the accused.
As she lectured, DEATH IS DIFFERENT. As such, familial support in a DP case is a MUST HAVE. Should family not show support....it can lead a juror to assume guilt based upon a lack of family presence.
Should the Anthony's have been banned from coming to support their daughter....I believe it could have been a later appeal issue. I am not an attorney and am NO Judge Perry....but IMO....more than allowing the Anthony's in to support KC....I believe that he wants them there to protect the final verdict.
Of course the DT don't want them there....they plan to roll the bus on them.....but I also think they wanted to cry later that poor KC had no support in place and for that we should spare her life.
JMO
I haven't read all the way through the thread and so if I duplicate thoughts.....:innocent:
In the beginning, my concern with their attendance was based upon the possiblity that the Anthony's would hear testimony and then change, alter, or otherwise skew their later answers to refute OR Support fellow witnesses
I was also worried that their presence would send a "message" to jurors that KC couldn't be guilty because.... "How in the world could they sit here if KC actually did it?"
Given their proclivity to sigh, shake their heads, mouth comments, smack gum, stand and attempt to interrupt, and wear their heart on their sleeve.......Jeff Ashton's comments are spot on.
After hearing Jeff Ashton's comments about the well documented depositions and lengthy LE interviews, I had to think further about "WHY" the State would NOT object.
Judge Perry is a very astute man. Not only is he "well trained" (just for you CM) and up to date (by the minute) on case law.....he also has a real gift for seeing 10 steps ahead, AND for anticipating tricks and schemes by the defense.
THEN.....recalling all my research on the teachings of Andrea Lyon....I consider her ABSOLUTE emphasis on family members of the accused being present as a support. She even commented about having families call friends and neighbors to attend trials to show a strong support system for the accused.
As she lectured, DEATH IS DIFFERENT. As such, familial support in a DP case is a MUST HAVE. Should family not show support....it can lead a juror to assume guilt based upon a lack of family presence.
Should the Anthony's have been banned from coming to support their daughter....I believe it could have been a later appeal issue. I am not an attorney and am NO Judge Perry....but IMO....more than allowing the Anthony's in to support KC....I believe that he wants them there to protect the final verdict.
Of course the DT don't want them there....they plan to roll the bus on them.....but I also think they wanted to cry later that poor KC had no support in place and for that we should spare her life.
JMO