Rebecca Zahau Wrongful death trial begins. Trial coverage and discussion #3

[Jessica2012]

Yes, Wright said it “could have” and she also said she saw ”no evidence anything had been wiped down.”

 

[MyBelle]

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/sd-me-shacknai-fingerprints-20180321-story.html

Also from your link. It appears Greer totally fabricated the claim that RZ was sexually assaulted with a knife.

"Wright said she dusted the door frame, balcony doors, a metal bed frame, a paint tube and two knives in the guest bedroom. The noose around Zahau’s neck was fastened on one end to the foot of the bed and draped over the balcony railing.

She found Zahau’s prints on all of the objects, she said."

 

[*Lash*]

iirc, Dr. Phil aired the program during Sweeps. He did it for ratings and Dr. Wecht obliged.

As well, DS participated in Dr. Phil in an attempt to reopen Max’s investigation.
Both families utilized the publicity hoping to get their loved ones case reopened and heard.

What difference does it make??? Truly, how can either family be judged for this?

 

[screecher]

Yes, Wright said it “could have” and she also said she saw ”no evidence anything had been wiped down.”

Double speak.

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[K_Z]

Caitlyn Rother has been attending the trial and posted this on her facebook page:



So there was no rape with a knife handle. It seems that is a total fabrication by Mr. Greer.

My understanding is the knife in question had been processed for fingerprints BEFORE it was tested for blood and epithelial cells, and t possibly the testing for cells occurred at a much later time-- IDK when those tests were done relative to Rebecca's death in 2011, but they may have been done in recent years when the plaintiff team gained access to the knife. There was discussion of this earlier, including comments by Mr. Greer in one of Tricia's interviews.

The "superglue fume" method was discussed as substantially degrading bio evidence, so the cell count is likely not accurate to what it was before the cyanoacrylate testing.

The epithelial cells were not lifted and examined microscopically at any point (2011 to present) from what I can glean. Vaginal epithelial cells are distinctive from, say, hand cells. Dried substances (secretions?) embedded in creases/ seams on the knife were not tested, either, IIRC.

I don't think it's accurate to say that it's been "proven" that the knife was not used as a rape instrument.

 

[*Lash*]

Lilibet, I think I love you, all 10,000 of you :daisy:beautiful post!

 

[stmarysmead]

If you think the rich and powerful can't make things happen that the average person could not then you are naive IMO.

Money rules this world. ALL mainstream media is owned by a small handful of ultra rich people and they push their agendas. In the Duke case the media jumped on it to stoke the horrible racial tensions in this country. Is it powerful, yes, but who do you think is running the show?

That Dr. Phil bit was nothing and didn't raise much money. It's sad they had to go that route at all, but they were desperate and needed the money to get answers. It's not like they got some kind of big power through it. I don't know where you are getting that at all.

Having the media drive the narrative in your favor is a huge power...especially of its emotional narrative. I think this is what Mr Greer meant by saying that he thought the jury would want to “do right” by the Z family. This case should be decided only on the evidence or lack thereof, not a desire to punitively take from the rich because...”they are rich.” Not on an emotional sympathetic narrative either.

 

[Jessica2012]

As well, DS participated in Dr. Phil in an attempt to reopen Max’s investigation.
Both families utilized the publicity hoping to get their loved ones case reopened and heard.

What difference does it make??? Truly, how can either family be judged for this?

Dina did not appear during sweeps week and have Max’s body exhumed for the show.

Some people found the exhumation of Rebecca to be a macabre publicity stunt. I don’t believe anyone “judged” the Zahaus for this, but certanly some found it to be distasteful.

 

[Tortoise]

He actually did say this when first being questioned by detectives and changed his story in court testimony.

Even in court testimony he didn't deny it. He reportedly said he didn't intentionally loosen the knot, which means he accepts he had to, to get his hand in there to feel for a pulse.

 

[Jessica2012]

Double speak.

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No, that’s pretty darn clear. Noting had been wiped down. No signs of that at all.

 

[Tortoise]

:facepalm:

 

[*Lash*]

From court 3.16.18 - Greer questioning lead Det. Tsuida, no mention of Asian background. She could not explain why the balcony door had a huge dry patch around the door jam and handle, there was actually a photo. Can we please,please see this photo?

* Could not explain why the balcony door, when tested with fingerprint powder, had a huge, dry clean patch/area at the handle, surrounding the handle and door jamb)

* (OMG the photo was quite unbelievable...IMO you could see where someone had actually wiped down the door)

https://www.websleuths.com/forums/s...l-begins-Trial-coverage-and-discussion/page70

Second mention of wiping down where the expert agreed:

Snip-

Wright testified that she saw no evidence anything had been wiped down. But then Greer asked specifically about a section of the balcony door that appeared, in a photo, to have little or no black fingerprint dust stuck to it.

The expert agreed that it could have, in fact, been wiped by someone wanting to remove traces of his or her fingers.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/sd-me-shacknai-fingerprints-20180321-story.html

 

[Jessica2012]

My understanding is the knife in question had been processed for fingerprints BEFORE it was tested for blood and epithelial cells, and t possibly the testing for cells occurred at a much later time-- IDK when those tests were done relative to Rebecca's death in 2011, but they may have been done in recent years when the plaintiff team gained access to the knife. There was discussion of this earlier, including comments by Mr. Greer in one of Tricia's interviews.

The "superglue fume" method was discussed as substantially degrading bio evidence, so the cell count is likely not accurate to what it was before the cyanoacrylate testing.

The epithelial cells were not lifted and examined microscopically at any point (2011 to present) from what I can glean. Vaginal epithelial cells are distinctive from, say, hand cells. Dried substances (secretions?) embedded in creases/ seams on the knife were not tested, either, IIRC.

I don't think it's accurate to say that it's been "proven" that the knife was not used as a rape instrument.

Respectfully, even a lay person can understand that a vagina would have around the same or more epithelial cells as a mouth. The DNA analyst said that testing items for vaginal blood or oral swabs for DNA should show the presence of far more epithelial cells than if someone just touched the items. The count on Rebecca's oral swab was 600 nanograms. The swab of the knife handle was 35 nanograms.

35? Certainly was not in the vagina.

 

[MyBelle]

As well, DS participated in Dr. Phil in an attempt to reopen Max’s investigation.
Both families utilized the publicity hoping to get their loved ones case reopened and heard.

What difference does it make??? Truly, how can either family be judged for this?

My point was about Dr. Wecht, not about the family. As publicity grew, Dr. Wecht's professional opinion evolved yet he never bothered to examine the LE evidence that proves there was noone else in the room or on the balcony.

I'm not a regular viewer of Dr. Phil but I also don't know why Dina's actions are relevant. She isn't being accused of sexual assault and murder.

 

[K_Z]

Another couple observations I have that are hopefully not lost on the jury.

Rebecca was *actually* interviewed by a psych specialist at the time of Max's accident. That person testified in court that there were no concerns about Rebecca's words or demeanor, feelings, suicidal warning signs, etc. That individual is an expert in CRISIS psychology, and was called to ride along to the scene, IIRC.

The psych specialist who testified for the defense never met Rebecca, never spoke to her, or her family, or friends. And presumably also never spoke to the crisis psych specialist who *actually* spoke to Rebecca hours before her death. This defense psych expert offered "squishy psych" opinions about remote, heresay, and second hand information as if they were as factual as a lab result.

An actual medical examiner who conducted an actual autopsy of Rebecca testified for the plaintiffs, and discussed and defended his work and his opinions in this case.

A medical examiner from 1000+ miles away who never worked in California, or San Diego, who did not work with Dr. J. Lucas, who never conducted any autopsy or tissue exams of Rebecca, testified *about* the autopsy report done by J. Lucas, for the defense. He could not testify ABOUT the autopsy-- he testified about the REPORT prepared by J.Lucas. And J. Lucas did not testify at all.

Unless the jury was told J.Lucas wasn't available, and no one else from the SD ME's office was available, or that the ME who did the autopsy is dead or something, the jury should *wonder* about that. Why did the defense call this ME to talk about someone else's autopsy report?? Why didn't the author show up and discuss his work? (I think we all know the answers to that, but I hope the jury is inquisitive and thoughtful.)

 

[MyBelle]

No, that’s pretty darn clear. Noting had been wiped down. No signs of that at all.

Most importantly, the knife allegedly used to sexually assault her was not wiped down. That is a false allegation with absolutely no evidence to support it.

 

[stmarysmead]

Honest question here, why didn’t Greer call the medical examiner? Is there some legal reason that he could not?

 

[Lilibet]

Lilibet, I think I love you, all 10,000 of you :daisy:beautiful post!

:blushing: Likewise *Lash*. :loveyou:

 

[K_Z]

My point was about Dr. Wecht, not about the family. As publicity grew, Dr. Wecht's professional opinion evolved yet he never bothered to examine the LE evidence that proves there was no evidence noone else in the room or on the balcony.

I'm not a regular viewer of Dr. Phil but I also don't know why Dina's actions are relevant. She isn't being accused of sexual assault and murder.

Cyril Wecht's opinion didn't "evolve".

That was proven in court with the letter (dated 2011) that was the cover page for the autopsy report that the defense tried mightily to keep out. Because the defense REFERRED to it, the judge ruled it in, and it was displayed on the monitor and read to the jury at the end of one of the trial days.

There is a great, very detailed post upthread about that exact process that unfolded in court, posted by one of the attendees from WS. I don't have time to look for it right now. Hopefully, you can find it.

 

[stmarysmead]

DS probably wanted little Maxie's body exhumed.

I'm sure JS was NOT going to let that happen.

Wait, was it stated in here Max was creamated???


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No one can know what Dina “wanted” etc. The only family that exhumed a body for a two day special during Sweeps Week were the Z family.