It is so hard to say without actually being there for everything the jury witnessed, but I didn't think the evidence against AS was there to convince a jury it was him, neither the circumstantial evidence of DNA or a fingerprint or a witness seeing him flee the main house, or direct evidence of someone witnessing the actual murder. It seemed the only provable argument was that he was on the same property as Rebecca that night. IMO the evidence did succeed in showing that Rebecca was more likely than not murdered, but I just struggled to find anything tying AS to the murder except lack of evidence of anyone else being there, which I did not think would convince a jury he was responsible. But there is so much evidence I didn't see or hear so my opinion is faulty to say the least.
I’m a SD local, and lived here throughout and before the case.
I was also in court and saw several of what I would view as critical days of testimony and evidence - I saw partial rope testimony ( primarily the cross examination by the defense), full testimony of the police DNA expert, police lead detective, the police SOC analyst re the rope measurements, Adam Shacknai testimony, DS testimony, XZ testimony, Cyril Wecht’s testimony, the ‘movement’ expert ( including cross examination on all these witnesses) and also the partial testimony of several other witnesses.
In my opinion, from the juries perspective during the testimony I saw, and the defenses effort to counter it, there was powerful, abundant evidence to convince them of liability ( as a layman I would just say guilt of murder)
Personally, if had to try to understand the three jurors who went against the plaintiff, I believe that the defense statements during closing argument that ‘circumstantial evidence is not evidence’ and ‘you can’t find him liable with no evidence and there is no DNA evidence’ type of statements...likely confused some of the jury, and as Mr Greer didn’t correct this, as he didn’t complete his planned final closing it likely raised doubts on their ability to find him liable.
The judge won’t interrupt or counter an closing argument unless there is an objection I understand?
Mr Greer was scribbling furtively, 12 pages he has said, and he never delivered his final close to address these issues.
IMO it may have cost him three jurors...
However, it didn’t matter. Justice was delivered in the plaintiffs favor in the verdict.
As for Gore and his reputation and that of the Sheriffs dept, I was completely and utterly shocked at what I heard about how the investigation was handled in the trial. There was never any inkling of wrong doing or failure of investigative techniques covered in the press.
In fact I recall there were lots of press conferences and videos of knot tying put out by the police, ( those videos were on the evening news!) and even a whole section on the sheriffs website showing what a great job they had done...the press never covered any negatives on Gore or his investigation that I saw ( and I was interested and I read and watched what was available at the time)
To hear the testimony at trial re the failures to test, collect and process certain evidence was jaw dropping, especially in light of what was in the public arena, it bore no similarity to what the local public had been fed by the the media.
So, as a local, I would have to disagree with your ( earlier posts) premise that the jury may have had bias because of aspects the sheriffs reputation.
Also, being in court for several days and seeing testimony, It’s very clear to me on how they reached the verdict. There was a lot of evidence that proved the plaintiffs case, and I saw it myself.
I also have no connection to law enforcement or attorneys or anything similar, I’m just a regular person, like the people on the jury.
Just my opinion....
