my current opinion won't be popular but feel the defense played their hand. I think they knew all along they wouldn't introduce DV. I think the defense knows they in an environment of small town, tight friendly protective community. Their intent was to keep it basic "Older man hears noise, goes to protect small vulnerable daughter from a large husband that had been drinking" What juror couldn't at least accept contemplate idea of protective father protecting his little girl?
Now, in reality in my mind, it was overkill. I still am not sure in my mind if MM killed JC and TM enters with some quick problem solving.....or...if TM/MC planned a murder. I think I believe the latter but it facts aren't there to prove it. If I followed every letter of the law of judges jury instructions, I feel pretty confident I would be forced to vote NG. I am guessing a prediction of something like 9-3 vole of guilty resulting in a hung jury. But I could also see a small town tight community conviction.