Sorry - late getting back - hopefully no one has posted this already - I'm breaking it up in 2 posts - too many pictures.
Veronica Waters
@MissVWaters
·
3h
Gough: Not questioning ruling, but-- Judge: I'm done talking about it. I understand your position & if it's simply to point out someone's in the gallery, it's done. G: Am I to understand I'm not to do that again?
Judge Walmsley: The Court's position remains and unless anyone is a disruption or providing a distraction, will not single out any individual or group as not being allowed as a member of the public. I think I've been clear; we do not need to discuss it any further.
State called Carol Flowers to the stand. #AhmaudArbery, whom she calls "Quez," was her next-door neighbor. She IDed his photo & appeared to be getting emotional when asked if she remembers the day he died. She said Yes. Defense asked for brief recess before questioning
Judge called recess b/c he said there was some commotion in back which he wanted to calm before cross. Gough notes Rev Jackson's mask was below his nose. "I'm not a big fan of masks but we make that part of the record. Court can see what I'm talking about"
Laura Hogue wants a bench conference. Judge says No, we're making a public record. I called for recess b/c I heard weeping in the back. Order is back now. LH says for the record, I note that a number of jurors were looking back.
Hogue: We're advocates for our clients but also human. My only purpose is a fair murder trial for Greg McMichael. When jurors hear weeping w/irrelevant evidence & see comforting by a person for whom respect abounds, we're in a difficult position
Hogue: For the jury to have seen, heard, felt that and think about decisions, as beautiful as that photo is it bears no relevance to any issue in the case. I saw jurors back at the weeping and then looking at me.
Bob Rubin: Your Honor was aware of emotion & what role it plays. It's becoming less & less about evidence & more about emotions w/these kinds of outbursts and these kinds of photographs--eight years old and no real resemblance to the person we saw Feb 2020
Judge: I heard weeping, not outburst. But I will point out what's beginning to happen. I don't understand why this motion keeps getting made. On the flip side I've seen in media other counsel saying Everybody is welcome. There's an odd thing I'm watching.
Judge: Other evidence comes in and I've got issues getting conflated. It is an emotional trial. That is not unique when it comes to murder trials which is why the Court prefaces things with "I don't want outbursts from gallery."
Travis McMichael attorney Jason Sheffield showed Flowers more recent #AhmaudArbery photos. She said yes, she recognizes him. That was all of the cross-examination
Anne Kisler-Rao works for the GBI's State Crime Lab in the trace evidence section. They analyze often-microscopic evidence. She's a microanalyst.
The
Judge also denied Gough's motion for a mistrial as Gough contended that the atmosphere inside and out of court hurts Bryan's chances of a fair trial.
Outside the Glynn County courthouse, Rev. Jesse Jackson says the defense attacking his & Rev. Sharpton's presences is a diversion: "Three men killed an innocent, unarmed boy. They have a weak case. They want a mistrial."
Rev. Jackson says the #AhmaudArbery shooting case burden "is not just black & white but wrong & right. Does this community we're in today want to be the sanctuary for killers?" He calls it "a bit absurd" to think their presence influences jurors 2 vote 1 way or another
Rev. Jackson says there's a new Georgia, a new America. The South is growing up. That's why GA went to Joe Biden last time, contrary to Trump's opinion. "They're afraid of the decency factor rising up."
Rev. Jackson was asked, After Kevin Gough misidentified you last week and then asked for mistrial because you were actually here today, what was your reaction? "I've been called other names other than Jesse Jackson," he replies, drawing laughter
Rev Jackson says, They honor me by making my name famous. The reality is it's just a diversion. I'm a good citizen with a constitutional right and a moral obligation. Says he expects to continue being in court w/#AhmaudArbery's family: We're not going to turn this loose
Rev Jackson says #AhmaudArbery case is one that kind of represents the kind of Emmett Till of our day. "In some ways it's so blatant, so open. Anybody could've been jogging--it could've been you. There was no misbehavior, drunkenness...a heinous crime against humanity"
Rev. Jackson was asked, what he says to Wanda Cooper-Jones to comfort her. He says he reminded #AhmaudArbery's mom, We couldn't stop the crucifixion; they couldn't stop the resurrection. The fact is, innocent people are killed. There's power in the blood of innocence.
link:
https://twitter.com/MissVWaters