First post here; my regular discussion forum shut their thread down because of idiots who were posting inappropriate things on it.
Have read a lot of the posts here over the last few months- a lot of really good comments and perspectives. Just to share a few of mine.
The Trial:
Smoke and Mirrors V's the prosecution hard facts.
A huge mistake for Molly not to testify- I do wonder what were the conversations like between Molly and her defence team- did they advise or did she refuse to testify? I think at the very least you would have got a hung jury and re-trial if she had testified. Instead, the defence stubbornly went the route of "prove it"- and of course, the prosecution did just that.
The Verdict:
One of the defence attorneys gave a brief press statement after the trial. He muttered about some grounds for appeal but even then didn't sound at all confident. I wonder did he truly believe that nothing but a not-guilty outcome was possible? He looked either shell-shocked or embarrassed- I can't decide which.
The Appeal:
It's really interesting- just like the defence campaign, the appeal is focusing on peripheral issues- certain minor pieces of evidence not taken into account; the jury's behaviour etc Absolutely no challenges around the extent of the injuries or any type of explanation (other than a bland self-defence argument ) that sheds light or explanation on the injuries incurred.
The Social Media Campaign- Before and After the trial:
Disgusting is probably the kindest thing i can say about it. You experienced Websleuths here, of course know what liars do- they talk around an issue or everything else other than the issue- but not the issue itself.
We saw this even on the 20/20 interview- all about JC's behaviour in the past (which I don't believe BTW)- but nothing around the night in question, except what they wanted us to believe.
So this appeal is all about truth, (a travesty of) justice and the American way
- they should go into the Presidential Campaign business!!
If they could only sit down and walk us through, minute by minute, what MC did on the night her husband was so savagely taken from his family, that would be dignity. That would be justice. But unfortunately, MC "can't remember".
Oh well MC- then the facts as presented I'm afraid, will have to stand.
Appeal outcome?
I'm hopeful that the trial judge didn't "error in law" in some way around evidence permitted etc - or if he did, that it would be found not to have had an impact on the verdict- but of course you never know- but that's very much a legal argument piece that only appeal judges can decide.
What I'm more interested in, is the appeal around jury behaviour. Now most of what the jury have said since the trial, is pretty much inadmissible in an appeal, as they're now speaking after the verdict, and can read and say whatever they like- it doesn't matter now.
But what about the alleged behaviour throughout? i.e. speaking about the evidence etc.
Any track record of North Carolina appeals court overturning verdicts due to inappropriate jury behaviour? And how serious is this alleged behaviour- enough for a retrial?
Finally, RIP JC.