GUILTY KS - Harold 'Hal' Sasko, 52, murdered in his Lawrence home, 14 Jan 2014
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Jewels53
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3/18/2015
Still Prosecution: James Baker a tattoo artist from Ft. Meyers Fl works at the Looking Glass Tattoo parlor. Tattooed a quote on Sarah.
"Beware the dark pool at the bottom of our hearts. In its icy, black depths dwell strange and twisted creatures it is not best to disturb"
This was from the book I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton it is a crime novel and it is about a serial killer.
James said Sarah was friendly and they talked about serial killers.
Next was Zachariah Thomas LPD 24 yrs experience an Investigator. Sarah was found in the Everglades National park and the LPD went down there to interview her and bring her back. In her car several items were found:
Water and food - Knife and Sheath - 380 Cobra Handgun loaded with a full clip - Smith and Wesson 9 mm - AX - Black Zip ties -Duffle bag with a Machete, bolt cutters - Several boxes of Ammunition - Fire safe with jewelry & foreign money. Purse $1399 cash - stun gun - knife - ID for a Katherine Pham.
The Knife had blood that was tested and sent to the KBI (kansas bureau of investigation) for dna. It came back positive belonging to Mr Sasko the victim.
I will cont in another post.
This is IMO and my observation.
I didn't finish last night as I was too tired, so here is the rest of yesterdays witness's.
Still Prosecution: James Baker a tattoo artist from Ft. Meyers Fl works at the Looking Glass Tattoo parlor. Tattooed a quote on Sarah.
"Beware the dark pool at the bottom of our hearts. In its icy, black depths dwell strange and twisted creatures it is not best to disturb"
This was from the book I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton it is a crime novel and it is about a serial killer.
James said Sarah was friendly and they talked about serial killers.
Next was Zachariah Thomas LPD 24 yrs experience an Investigator. Sarah was found in the Everglades National park and the LPD went down there to interview her and bring her back. In her car several items were found:
Water and food - Knife and Sheath - 380 Cobra Handgun loaded with a full clip - Smith and Wesson 9 mm - AX - Black Zip ties -Duffle bag with a Machete, bolt cutters - Several boxes of Ammunition - Fire safe with jewelry & foreign money. Purse $1399 cash - stun gun - knife - ID for a Katherine Pham.
The Knife had blood that was tested and sent to the KBI (kansas bureau of investigation) for dna. It came back positive belonging to Mr Sasko the victim.
I will cont in another post.
This is IMO and my observation.
I didn't finish last night as I was too tired, so here is the rest of yesterdays witness's.
Jewels53
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Cont. 3/18/2015
Next up for the PT was Det Michael Brown LPD since 1991. At first they thought Sarah was a missing person/maybe a victim also, they found out she was a POI. 4 Detectives went to FL Miami-Dade Detention Center on 1/26/2014. Sarah was cordial, not upset and could communicate well. She said she wanted to know how it felt to kill someone, said she had planned on killing someone for 2 yrs. She told Det. she planned on killing Mr Sasko for 5 days.
Then they played the 3 hr video: She explains everything and every time the Det ask her she gets more details in the story. Sarah remembers Days and times of where she did every little thing. She explains why she left her cell phone at home, so no one could trace her. She didn't stay at motels, she paid cash for everything, she stayed away from public places so no one could detect where she was.
Sarah was very nonchalant as she was describing the details of the murder. After she killed Mr Sasko she had no more feelings about killing someone. She was very worried about her sister, said she didn't feel bad about the killing.
It really surprised me how detailed Sarah was on the interrogation tape and how she explained all the very minute details.
This was the end of the day. Court had started around 9am with about 1 hr for lunch and ended about 5:15 pm.
All Imo and my observations
Next up for the PT was Det Michael Brown LPD since 1991. At first they thought Sarah was a missing person/maybe a victim also, they found out she was a POI. 4 Detectives went to FL Miami-Dade Detention Center on 1/26/2014. Sarah was cordial, not upset and could communicate well. She said she wanted to know how it felt to kill someone, said she had planned on killing someone for 2 yrs. She told Det. she planned on killing Mr Sasko for 5 days.
Then they played the 3 hr video: She explains everything and every time the Det ask her she gets more details in the story. Sarah remembers Days and times of where she did every little thing. She explains why she left her cell phone at home, so no one could trace her. She didn't stay at motels, she paid cash for everything, she stayed away from public places so no one could detect where she was.
Sarah was very nonchalant as she was describing the details of the murder. After she killed Mr Sasko she had no more feelings about killing someone. She was very worried about her sister, said she didn't feel bad about the killing.
It really surprised me how detailed Sarah was on the interrogation tape and how she explained all the very minute details.
This was the end of the day. Court had started around 9am with about 1 hr for lunch and ended about 5:15 pm.
All Imo and my observations
Jewels53
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Day 3 of Trial and day 2 for me 3/19/2015
We started about 9:25 am this was after the lawyers had a in chambers meeting.
The State Rested first thing this morning!
The Defence called there first witness Gilbert Gonzales - This is Sarah's grandfather on her mothers side. They had a good relationship early and then had a falling out in Sarah's teen yrs. When Sarah's dog Shadow passed away she took it really hard and Sarah started to change around this time and also around the time her parents divorced. Sarah attempted suicide in her early teens and was hospitalized. Last contact with grandfather was in 2012.
Next is Andrew Alvey, he is a retired FBI and now a Private Investigator. He went over to Topeka, KS where Sarah grew up and talked to neighbors and to family that lived in the area. Mr. Alvey the best I could tell was to investigate the sexual allegations that Sarah is claiming. I found it interesting that he talked to someone that knew someone that knew someone that used to live in the neighborhood who is now deceased. So I didn't find this info relevant.
The next witness is a big one and it is a Psychologist Marilyn Hutchinson. Her testimony is very confusing about the different personalities. I think it would be best to post the Lawrence Journal World Newspaper Article about her as I think it is written better than my notes.
I will just say that I hope that this info didn't confuse the juror's. With them not being able to take notes I hope they have this info clear in their minds. I myself have a hard time with the different personality thing. I am not sure I believe this all myself. imo
The Defense Rested after the Dr and the Prosecutor will have 1 more witness tomorrow and then closing. The jury will get the case probably after in the afternoon.
All IMO and my observations.
We started about 9:25 am this was after the lawyers had a in chambers meeting.
The State Rested first thing this morning!
The Defence called there first witness Gilbert Gonzales - This is Sarah's grandfather on her mothers side. They had a good relationship early and then had a falling out in Sarah's teen yrs. When Sarah's dog Shadow passed away she took it really hard and Sarah started to change around this time and also around the time her parents divorced. Sarah attempted suicide in her early teens and was hospitalized. Last contact with grandfather was in 2012.
Next is Andrew Alvey, he is a retired FBI and now a Private Investigator. He went over to Topeka, KS where Sarah grew up and talked to neighbors and to family that lived in the area. Mr. Alvey the best I could tell was to investigate the sexual allegations that Sarah is claiming. I found it interesting that he talked to someone that knew someone that knew someone that used to live in the neighborhood who is now deceased. So I didn't find this info relevant.
The next witness is a big one and it is a Psychologist Marilyn Hutchinson. Her testimony is very confusing about the different personalities. I think it would be best to post the Lawrence Journal World Newspaper Article about her as I think it is written better than my notes.
I will just say that I hope that this info didn't confuse the juror's. With them not being able to take notes I hope they have this info clear in their minds. I myself have a hard time with the different personality thing. I am not sure I believe this all myself. imo
The Defense Rested after the Dr and the Prosecutor will have 1 more witness tomorrow and then closing. The jury will get the case probably after in the afternoon.
All IMO and my observations.
Jewels53
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Psychologist: McLinn has multiple personalities, compares herself to Jeffrey Dahmer
By Caitlin Doornbos
March 19, 2015, 9:24 a.m. Updated March 19, 2015, 5:50 p.m.
I really hope more people will come read this thread it is a very unique case for a small college town. I visited with a reporter from the Topeka Capital newspaper and he said in his 20 yrs of reporting crime he has never encountered a case like this.
I am looking forward to tomorrow to the prosecution witness, it is supposed to be a Dr to rebut the Psych Dr from today. IMO I think they cross each other out.
By Caitlin Doornbos
March 19, 2015, 9:24 a.m. Updated March 19, 2015, 5:50 p.m.
I really hope more people will come read this thread it is a very unique case for a small college town. I visited with a reporter from the Topeka Capital newspaper and he said in his 20 yrs of reporting crime he has never encountered a case like this.
I am looking forward to tomorrow to the prosecution witness, it is supposed to be a Dr to rebut the Psych Dr from today. IMO I think they cross each other out.
Jewels53
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Psychologist: One of murder defendant Sarah McLinn's four personalities, Alyssa, killed Hal Sasko
Alyssa identified as sharp-spoken, non-apologetic, says psychologist who spoke with McLinn for 17 hours
By Steve Fry
steve.fry@cjonline.com
LAWRENCE — Of the four identities that inhabited Sarah Brooke Gonzales McLinn on Jan. 14, 2014, the one that killed Harold Sasko was named Alyssa, the sharp-spoken, non-apologetic personality, a defense psychologist testified Thursday.
Marilyn A. Hutchinson, a psychologist with a doctorate, testified several hours on Thursday in Douglas County District Court about McLinn, whom she interviewed for more than 17 hours.
McLinn, a Topeka native, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the grisly slaying of Sasko in Lawrence.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-19...-mclinns-four-personalities-alyssa-killed-hal
Alyssa identified as sharp-spoken, non-apologetic, says psychologist who spoke with McLinn for 17 hours
By Steve Fry
steve.fry@cjonline.com
LAWRENCE — Of the four identities that inhabited Sarah Brooke Gonzales McLinn on Jan. 14, 2014, the one that killed Harold Sasko was named Alyssa, the sharp-spoken, non-apologetic personality, a defense psychologist testified Thursday.
Marilyn A. Hutchinson, a psychologist with a doctorate, testified several hours on Thursday in Douglas County District Court about McLinn, whom she interviewed for more than 17 hours.
McLinn, a Topeka native, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder in the grisly slaying of Sasko in Lawrence.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-19...-mclinns-four-personalities-alyssa-killed-hal
Jewels53
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I was at the courthouse today and watched the final witness Dr William Logan a Psychiatrist from Kansas City, MO. I will write more later!
Next were Closing arguments and then deliberations. The juror's deliberated just 4 hrs and 20 min until they reached a Unanimous Verdict Of
GUILTY of 1ST Degree Murder
Now they will come back on Monday to decide her sentence. Aggravators vs Mitigators
Caitlin Doornbos ‏@CaitlinDoornbos 1h1 hour ago Kansas, USA
Jury finds Sarah Gonzales McLinn guilty.
IMO and observations
Next were Closing arguments and then deliberations. The juror's deliberated just 4 hrs and 20 min until they reached a Unanimous Verdict Of
GUILTY of 1ST Degree Murder
Now they will come back on Monday to decide her sentence. Aggravators vs Mitigators
Caitlin Doornbos ‏@CaitlinDoornbos 1h1 hour ago Kansas, USA
Jury finds Sarah Gonzales McLinn guilty.
IMO and observations
wfgodot
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lengthy Lawrence Journal-World articles:
Jury finds McLinn guilty of first-degree murder
yesterday's bizarre testimony:
Psychologist: McLinn has multiple personalities, compares herself to Jeffrey Dahmer
Jury finds McLinn guilty of first-degree murder
yesterday's bizarre testimony:
Psychologist: McLinn has multiple personalities, compares herself to Jeffrey Dahmer
Jewels53
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Jury convicts Sarah McLinn in 2014 murder of Harold Sasko
By Steve Fry
steve.fry@cjonline.com
LAWRENCE — At 4:39 p.m. Friday, a jury convicted Sarah Brooke Gonzales McLinn of premeditated first-degree murder.
Jurors will return to Douglas County District Court on Monday to decide whether there is an aggravating circumstance tied to the sentencing. The district attorney’s office is seeking the “Hard 50” in the sentencing of McLinn. If the jury finds there is an aggravating circumstance, the judge will decide the sentence.
Moments after District Court Judge Paula Martin read the verdict, Douglas County sheriff’s deputies escorted McLinn out of the courtroom and into the judge’s suite.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-20/jury-convicts-sarah-mclinn-2014-murder-harold-sasko
By Steve Fry
steve.fry@cjonline.com
LAWRENCE — At 4:39 p.m. Friday, a jury convicted Sarah Brooke Gonzales McLinn of premeditated first-degree murder.
Jurors will return to Douglas County District Court on Monday to decide whether there is an aggravating circumstance tied to the sentencing. The district attorney’s office is seeking the “Hard 50” in the sentencing of McLinn. If the jury finds there is an aggravating circumstance, the judge will decide the sentence.
Moments after District Court Judge Paula Martin read the verdict, Douglas County sheriff’s deputies escorted McLinn out of the courtroom and into the judge’s suite.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-20/jury-convicts-sarah-mclinn-2014-murder-harold-sasko
Jewels53
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I doubt I can add much information about the testimony that I saw as well as the journalist can, so I will leave it to them.
During this whole trial it was very hard to read the jurors, they seemed very focused and unemotional. The youngest of the men was selected as the foreperson which surprised me, he was probably in his 20's.
The Defense lawyer instructed the family to not make any sounds or show any emotions when the verdict was being read, and they didn't. Sarah the defendant also didn't react at all. The law officers whisked her away quickly after the verdict.
All just my observations and imo
During this whole trial it was very hard to read the jurors, they seemed very focused and unemotional. The youngest of the men was selected as the foreperson which surprised me, he was probably in his 20's.
The Defense lawyer instructed the family to not make any sounds or show any emotions when the verdict was being read, and they didn't. Sarah the defendant also didn't react at all. The law officers whisked her away quickly after the verdict.
All just my observations and imo
Jewels53
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I didn't realize until the last day of the trial that I was talking and sitting next to Cindy Haines a Movie Critic for a radio station in Kansas City.
http://www.criticschoice.com/members/cfarah/
Not that it really matters it is just that she was great company and we had great conversations about the trial.
http://www.criticschoice.com/members/cfarah/
Not that it really matters it is just that she was great company and we had great conversations about the trial.
Jewels53
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I didn't realize you used to live in Lawrence. Did you go to KU?
With the Dissociative Identity Disorder thrown in it sure made a interesting case. Although I am not convinced she suffers, I am glad the decision was not in my hands. I have had mixed feelings since yesterday Guilty Verdict. If Sarah truly suffered all of this abuse and has DID she really needs the help and I don't think she will get that in prison.
I also didn't get the impression the family felt any better by the Guilty verdict. They said it would not bring Mr Sasko back which is very true.
Jewels53
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Prosecutors, defense attorney: McLinn killed Sasko, disagree on scope of McLinn's fragmented identities
Court resumes at 9 a.m. Monday in Lawrence
sbm
In the disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, a person has a disturbance of identity in which two or more distinct personality identities control an individuals behavior. In this case, McLinn had four identities, a defense witness said.
According to a defense witness testimony, an identity named Alyssa drugged Sasko, bound his hands and feet, and killed Sasko.
But prosecution and defense witnesses were far apart on how much influence DID had on McLinn during the crime.
Defense witness Marilyn Hutchinson, a psychologist, testified DID prevented McLinn from forming the intent to kill Sasko in the Lawrence home and couldnt be convicted of murder in the case in what she called the Sarah system of identities.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-22...illed-sasko-disagree-scope-mclinns-fragmented
Court resumes at 9 a.m. Monday in Lawrence
sbm
In the disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder, a person has a disturbance of identity in which two or more distinct personality identities control an individuals behavior. In this case, McLinn had four identities, a defense witness said.
According to a defense witness testimony, an identity named Alyssa drugged Sasko, bound his hands and feet, and killed Sasko.
But prosecution and defense witnesses were far apart on how much influence DID had on McLinn during the crime.
Defense witness Marilyn Hutchinson, a psychologist, testified DID prevented McLinn from forming the intent to kill Sasko in the Lawrence home and couldnt be convicted of murder in the case in what she called the Sarah system of identities.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-22...illed-sasko-disagree-scope-mclinns-fragmented
Jewels53
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Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 4h 4 hours ago
Back in the courtroom this morning as jurors decide whether to send Sarah Gonzales McLinn to prison for 50 years. #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Jurors must find that the act was committed in "an especially heinous, atrocious or cruel manner."
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "She wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone. She wanted to maximize that ex
experience." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "She felt his hot blood all over her arms and hands. She wanted to maximize her enjoyment of that murder." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "Calling it a wound doesn't do it justice. She practically cut his head off." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "Harold Sasko was killed to satisfy the defendant's curiosity, to give her pleasure."
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "Can there be a more heinous crime than one carried out to satisfy curiosity?" #McLinnTrial
Back in the courtroom this morning as jurors decide whether to send Sarah Gonzales McLinn to prison for 50 years. #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Jurors must find that the act was committed in "an especially heinous, atrocious or cruel manner."
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "She wanted to see what it felt like to kill someone. She wanted to maximize that ex
experience." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "She felt his hot blood all over her arms and hands. She wanted to maximize her enjoyment of that murder." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "Calling it a wound doesn't do it justice. She practically cut his head off." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "Harold Sasko was killed to satisfy the defendant's curiosity, to give her pleasure."
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Melton: "Can there be a more heinous crime than one carried out to satisfy curiosity?" #McLinnTrial
Jewels53
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Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Cornwell: "This is not a Hard 50 case. Hard 50 cases should be reserved for when the crime is truly heinous. #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Cornwell: "If this is Hard 50, everything is Hard 50. Hard 50 should be reserved for somebody who is kept alive and tortured." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 2h 2 hours ago
Jurors hear arguments on McLinn sentencing / http://LJWorld.com http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/mar/23/jurors-hear-arguments-mclinn-sentencing/ …
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 2h 2 hours ago
Remember, this is not the actual sentencing. Jurors simply making a suggestion to Judge Martin, who will decide sentence at future hearing.
Cornwell: "This is not a Hard 50 case. Hard 50 cases should be reserved for when the crime is truly heinous. #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 3h 3 hours ago
Cornwell: "If this is Hard 50, everything is Hard 50. Hard 50 should be reserved for somebody who is kept alive and tortured." #McLinnTrial
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 2h 2 hours ago
Jurors hear arguments on McLinn sentencing / http://LJWorld.com http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2015/mar/23/jurors-hear-arguments-mclinn-sentencing/ …
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 2h 2 hours ago
Remember, this is not the actual sentencing. Jurors simply making a suggestion to Judge Martin, who will decide sentence at future hearing.
Jewels53
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Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 2h 2 hours ago
There's been a knock at the jury door and attorneys returning to the courtroom. We may have a decision.
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 1h 1 hour ago
Jury finds aggravating factors exist. McLinn eligible for the Hard 50 sentencing. Sentencing hearing set for April 29.
There's been a knock at the jury door and attorneys returning to the courtroom. We may have a decision.
Caitlin Doornbos @CaitlinDoornbos · 1h 1 hour ago
Jury finds aggravating factors exist. McLinn eligible for the Hard 50 sentencing. Sentencing hearing set for April 29.
Jewels53
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I attended court this morning for the Sentencing Phase. The whole atmosphere seemed pretty down. Not much talking by either of the families or their friends.
The State was up first to prove 1 or more aggravating circumstance. They had one witness Detective Axman a Crime Scene Investigator with the Lawrence PD. Mr Melton asked him a few questions about the crime scene and then asked him about a picture that had been taken. Mr Melton then had the picture entered into evidence. I believe it was a picture of Mr. Sasko deceased with his throat slashed. It was only passed to the juror's.
There was nothing presented by the Defence!
Closing:
Prosecutor: Mr Melton It was cruel and heinous, planned while Mr Sasko was asleep. Sarah McLinn ground up 5 Ambien and put it in his beer and when he fell asleep she put zip ties on him. She then felt for his Carotid Artery and stuck the knife in and slit his throat all the way to his spinal column almost decapitating him. Sarah chose the knife because it made less noise even though she had a gun. Sarah said she wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. She had the opportunity to change her mind. She messed with the blood after and smeared it above his head and then took a towel and dipped it in the blood and wrote Freedom on the wall with it. She killed to satisfy her curiosity and said it was just something she wanted to do.
Next was the Defence: Mr Cornwell said all murders are Cruel and Heinous. This murder wasn't because she didn't torture him before she murdered him. Said to remember all that he brought up during the trial.
The Juror's deliberated 1 hr and 30 min. They took a 10 min break and had 1 question which we didn't get hear.
The Juror's did find an Aggravator and Sentencing will be April 29th.
In Kansas it is up to the Judge to decide on the number of yrs. This case of 1st degree did qualify it for "The Hard 50" with the aggravator. Yet it is still up to the judge.
The defence attorney Mr Cornwell sounded pretty defeated from the Guilty verdict on Friday. He just did not seem to be with it today. On Friday he said he needed 1/2 of a day today and I don't think he used up 10 minutes. imo
Overall It is a vary sad case, I talked to a family member of Mr. Sasko and they have some empathy for the family of Sarah. I admire them for that as the family didn't commit the crime. I guess no one really wins in a case like this. Everyone seems very respectful of each other.
All imo and my observations
The State was up first to prove 1 or more aggravating circumstance. They had one witness Detective Axman a Crime Scene Investigator with the Lawrence PD. Mr Melton asked him a few questions about the crime scene and then asked him about a picture that had been taken. Mr Melton then had the picture entered into evidence. I believe it was a picture of Mr. Sasko deceased with his throat slashed. It was only passed to the juror's.
There was nothing presented by the Defence!
Closing:
Prosecutor: Mr Melton It was cruel and heinous, planned while Mr Sasko was asleep. Sarah McLinn ground up 5 Ambien and put it in his beer and when he fell asleep she put zip ties on him. She then felt for his Carotid Artery and stuck the knife in and slit his throat all the way to his spinal column almost decapitating him. Sarah chose the knife because it made less noise even though she had a gun. Sarah said she wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone. She had the opportunity to change her mind. She messed with the blood after and smeared it above his head and then took a towel and dipped it in the blood and wrote Freedom on the wall with it. She killed to satisfy her curiosity and said it was just something she wanted to do.
Next was the Defence: Mr Cornwell said all murders are Cruel and Heinous. This murder wasn't because she didn't torture him before she murdered him. Said to remember all that he brought up during the trial.
The Juror's deliberated 1 hr and 30 min. They took a 10 min break and had 1 question which we didn't get hear.
The Juror's did find an Aggravator and Sentencing will be April 29th.
In Kansas it is up to the Judge to decide on the number of yrs. This case of 1st degree did qualify it for "The Hard 50" with the aggravator. Yet it is still up to the judge.
The defence attorney Mr Cornwell sounded pretty defeated from the Guilty verdict on Friday. He just did not seem to be with it today. On Friday he said he needed 1/2 of a day today and I don't think he used up 10 minutes. imo
Overall It is a vary sad case, I talked to a family member of Mr. Sasko and they have some empathy for the family of Sarah. I admire them for that as the family didn't commit the crime. I guess no one really wins in a case like this. Everyone seems very respectful of each other.
All imo and my observations
Jewels53
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McLinn juror: Defendant's statement to investigators packed punch in slaying case
Juror didn't embrace multiple identity defense; jurors open door to 'Hard 50' sentence in April
By Steve Fry
steve.fry@cjonline.com
LAWRENCE Sarah Brooke Gonzales McLinns statement to police admitting she killed Harold Sasko had the most impact on the jurys decision to convict her last week, a Douglas County District Court juror said Monday.
In Douglas County District Court on Monday, jurors recommended that a judge impose the Hard 50 prison term on McLinn in the killing of the 52-year-old Sasko early in 2014 in the Lawrence home shared by Sasko and McLinn.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-23...ement-investigators-packed-punch-slaying-case
Juror didn't embrace multiple identity defense; jurors open door to 'Hard 50' sentence in April
By Steve Fry
steve.fry@cjonline.com
LAWRENCE Sarah Brooke Gonzales McLinns statement to police admitting she killed Harold Sasko had the most impact on the jurys decision to convict her last week, a Douglas County District Court juror said Monday.
In Douglas County District Court on Monday, jurors recommended that a judge impose the Hard 50 prison term on McLinn in the killing of the 52-year-old Sasko early in 2014 in the Lawrence home shared by Sasko and McLinn.
http://cjonline.com/news/2015-03-23...ement-investigators-packed-punch-slaying-case
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Thanks for this link and the head's up. Just catching up on this case. One thing that really stands out from your link is the following.
At about 17, McLinn, who was seeking a responsible father figure, moved into Saskos Lawrence home when her mother gave consent. Sasko, 52, provided her with alcohol and marijuana and eventually he pressured her first to date him, then to have sex with him.
She initially turned aside both overtures but finally consented when he insinuated she would have to move out if she didnt have sex with him, Hutchinson said.
The sex varied between once and twice a week.
I would get as drunk as I could, then just lay there, Hutchinson quoted McLinn as saying.
She initially turned aside both overtures but finally consented when he insinuated she would have to move out if she didnt have sex with him, Hutchinson said.
The sex varied between once and twice a week.
I would get as drunk as I could, then just lay there, Hutchinson quoted McLinn as saying.
While the age of consent is apparently 16, and Kansas has no provisions with regard to age difference or, for that matter, apparently, employer-employee, power imbalance (AKA hostile work environment arising from sexual harassment), the aforementioned description raises all sorts of red flags. For example, mom consents for her 17 year old daughter to move in with 52 year old Sasko.
The first question is, "Why?" Why did she need to move in with this 52 year old man (AKA her boss)? Yes, I know, the article states she was looking for a "father figure" but there is something that just does not sit right. Especially since this minor (i.e., 17 year old girl) was forced by both her landlord and her boss (i.e., 52 year old Sasko), to have sex with him.
In all, regardless of the NGRI angle, the overall situation raises serious questions that I hope they consider when sentencing this young lady.
That said, and as for raising NGRI based upon a dissociative identity disorder dx? The psychiatrist for both the defense and prosecuting attorneys, appear to be in agreement that this young woman is indeed suffering from dissociative identity disorder. Where they disagree is culpability.
So, from this pov, and for those interested in further exploring this particular issue, here's a relevant, albeit, somewhat dated, peer reviewed paper that delves into this very thing as well as proposing standard for NGRI when trying criminal cases involving dissociative identity disorder.
And finally, check out "The Minds of Billy Milligan," written by Daniel Keyes. Milligan's attorneys were the first to raise NGRI defense based upon Milligan's Dissociative Identity Disorder (aka multiple personality disorder) dx.