VERDICT WATCH FL - Doug Benefield, 58, shot and killed by estranged wife, Manatee County, 27 Sept 2020

[nodamselindistress]

So Taylor wants a read back of Dr Quintal testimony but that isn't happening.

 

[Weki]

I don’t like the jury question one bit! That means they are considering battered woman syndrome imo. Ugh.

 

[Kakidoll]

Going to be between manslaughter and 2nd. Def not not guilty and I think AB just realized it. Moo

 

[Kakidoll]

I don’t like the jury question one bit! That means they are considering battered woman syndrome imo. Ugh.

I took it more of whoever is doubting she is the domineering one... I can't remember... Did this DR even meet db?

 

[nodamselindistress]

To me, this question means they believe in Dr Quintal and if he thinks that Doug is controlling, overbearing alpha male then they are not buying the state case that his abuse was in the past in Charleston.

 

[Weki]

Dr Quintal met both of them. He was the couple’s counselor and he also counseled them individually I believe. Those statements he made were based on his observations. People give therapist’s opinion a lot of weight and I think this subverts justice. Quintal’s observations should not weigh that much. JMO

 

[nodamselindistress]

Dr Quintal met both of them. He was the couple’s counselor and he also counseled them individually I believe. Those statements he made were based on his observations. People give therapist’s opinion a lot of weight and I think this subverts justice. Quintal’s observations should not weigh that much. JMO

agreed. Wasn't he the one who met with Ashley for like 20 hrs and Doug only 2x and them as a couple only 2x?

ETA: He was the "trauma" guy, right? I thought he was full of bs!

 

[Weki]

I fail to see how Quintal’s observations lead to imminent fear for her life at the moment of shooting. That’s what the jurors need to focus on. Was her testimony credible? It was most assuredly not. She’s guilty. I fear that one juror will be sympathetic to her and that the defense demonization of Doug will worm its way into some juror’s mind. To me, therapist’s should not be considered expert witnesses and allowed to give opinion. It’s junk science. Also, whatever Doug’s behavior in the therapy room in front of AB does not mean that’s how he behaved outside all the time. If he was being provoked by her that may have exacerbated his hostility. And there can be no doubt she was provoking him! Over and over by her baseless and outlandish accusations. JMO

 

[fluffypaste]

Going to be between manslaughter and 2nd. Def not not guilty and I think AB just realized it. Moo

My understanding is that manslaughter + firearm enhancement in Florida can go all the way up to 30 years. If she does get found guilty of manslaughter, don't think that necessarily means she's getting off easy.

 

[nodamselindistress]

I found Dr. Broder more believable than Dr. Quintal.

 

[MTW2011]

When Courts reply to jury questions with “rely on your memory” I’ve always thought was an interesting response…

some might say if the jury remembered, then they likely wouldn’t be asking the question to begin with. JMO

 

[nodamselindistress]

They are basically asking the court to interpret testimony and the court cannot do that. That is the job of the jury.

 

[fluffypaste]

When Courts reply to jury questions with “rely on your memory” I’ve always thought was an interesting response…

some might say if the jury remembered, then they likely wouldn’t be asking the question to begin with. JMO

Like, yeah. I genuinely don't understand why juries aren't allowed transcripts. Moreover, when a trial is being filmed, I feel like the jury SHOULD be allowed to review the footage.

 

[nodamselindistress]

I think most of us here remember his testimony and I am not taking notes! That could have been a question to the court to decide between opposing memories in the jury room.

 

[Seni]

If I remember correctly, Dr Quintal's report did not refer to DB as being Alpha male. This was Taylor sneaking in questions about opinion that prosecution should have jumped on. It was during Quintal's testimony that he and the jury were removed whilst judge admonished Taylor for suggesting bias against the defence. Jury must have wondered what was going on.


Do we know what answer the jury got to their question?

 

[nodamselindistress]

Judge told the jury to rely on their memories basically. He then offered to order dinner (not steak and lobster, but pizza). Sent them back.

 

[I am not Sherlock H.]

If I remember correctly, Dr Quintal's report did not refer to DB as being Alpha male. This was Taylor sneaking in questions about opinion that prosecution should have jumped on. It was during Quintal's testimony that he and the jury were removed whilst judge admonished Taylor for suggesting bias against the defence. Jury must have wondered what was going on.


Do we know what answer the jury got to their question?

Yes Seni…..my feeble mind seems to recall similar. And I can’t remember whether jury was present then or not during that yesterday IIRC? And I think that Dr. Quintal was asked under defense direct late in his testimony about what he might have thought of DB characteristics on that regard? I can’t quite remember all what was said. And on state redirect wasn’t there some remark or attempt to say that some of that might have also been as recounted by AB portrayal to the therapist? I might be misremembering some of that. MOO

 

[bobbymkii]

first state closing was great, second one just ok. different attys

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a remotely good prosecution rebuttal argument. Always just seems ranty and desperate. I dont know why they bother with them.

JMO

 

[nodamselindistress]

What I recall most about Dr Quintal was he refused to answer most questions about his diagnosis and kept referring back to the fact that he was there to help his patients address the trauma. I pretty much wrote him off as a fruit cake.

 

[turaj]

Wow judge cannnot even pretend to take Taylor seriously any more. Did you see the look on his face when Taylor wanted to ask jury if they want readback???