RSBM
Although her Attny says 'my client has no preference about a separate trial, is that really, truly her opinion, or is it her lawyer's strategy? Most defense lawyers want to be in charge of guiding the case, not deferring to their client's opinions. A stubborn client can cause a defendent's lawyer to withdraw from the case.
I'm not sure what the reasons for that response would be, it might be an attitude of invincibility - my client won't be convicted under any circumstances.
MOO
Question- I'm assuming the judge will join the cases and deny JP's objection to the motion.
However, at that point can he go back and cite a different reason for reconsideration such as varying defenses should CD decide to flip on LV or has that opportunity passed?
Consider this possibility - CD could turn state's evidence at any time.
I think Chad is stuck with the conspiracy to conceal and destroy evidence, but does he want to go down for conspiracy to commit murder? He could negotiate at least a concurrent sentence for turning state's evidence.
I think the real hard problem in this case might be proving that Lori Vallow planned and/or participated in the murders. CD could shed a whole lot of light on that. If he knows something and doesn't want to go down for something he did not participate in, he better spill it.
Yes, Lori wants to be with him so she can keep him in his place, make him remember "how much we love each other", keep his mouth shut. Chad's attorney knows that that spell needs to be broken.
This assumes that CD knows that there is absolutely no evidence tying him to the actual murders, i. e. he really didn't do that part.
LV's and AC's forensic evidence will be so tightly enmeshed that Lori's defense could counter that since they both lived in the apartment and JJ shared Lori's room, of course her stuff will be on that duct tape. Reasonable doubt.
We need an eye-witness to what happened on the days of the burials, what Alex said, was Lori there, what did she say, how did she act.....
In my head, this was an insurance money scam from day one involving both Lori and Alex. I think she was supposed to pay off Alex and he was going to change his name and go to South America. Probably start a business running girls. But the payout wasn't that great and Lori didn't want to share after already having to share with Chad. How was she going to manage that? The holier than thou business was just an act to cover for the scam.
And somebody who was selling life insurance was able to obtain information on big policy payouts before the ruse even started, or find out how much a person carried by pretending to sell policies.
Yes, they will join the trials, to put more pressure on CD to roll since he is facing the longest sentence, and they were her kids, her responsibility, she had to have known. Possible scenario and IMO.
