RBBM As in my response above. I do think this is where we disagree and that's fine. I don't think state evidence, if it includes JO's autopsy and ME, implies he was hit by car. Imo what the cw did was try to make their evidence imply it; by implicitly asking jury to join them in looking the other way re absence of injuries and discordant arm wounds. Moo
ETA just to be a bit technical, we do know what caused JO's death. I'm no medico but understand from testimony COD stemmed from the effects of the head wound; the basal fracture caused spreading fractures from back of head to the front behind the eyes, which set off a course of bodily events (brain swelling and bleeding) that eventaully lead to respiratory failure (I understand from testimony that DR Sheridan and the ME were in agreement re COD, Sheridan, who reviewed autopsy docs, agreed with ME findings).
What we don't know, what cw failed to prove BARD, was manner of death or circumstances or events that lead to his death. Which I know is what you're saying! (I also know this is a bit pedantic, is just the way my mind works sometimes when tracing back my thoughts and own implicit assumptions.) moo