Well, there is this thing called perjury. JMO, that may be what the ME and SDSO witnesses are concerned about. If the investigation is re-opened and new information is revealed, they could be exposed as perjurers if they testify at this civil trial in a less than truthful manner, then are later called to testify in grand jury or trial in a criminal version of this case..
As for Dr. Davis, Mr. Greer will likely extract the data behind his claims on cross examination
I agree with Tortoise and the others here this morning who think the option for murder without Adam should not be offered. There is no reason to do that. There is plenty of evidence against Adam for 9 jurors to find preponderance of the evidence supports it. I hope Greer does not decide to go this route. It seems to be his decision, based on what he said in the podcast with Tricia. I'm glad to hear Bourne report the general feeling in the courtroom about Adam's guilt.
Me thinks Mr Webb is having to face some very tough decisions. Put them on the stand and see them crucified, don't put them on the stand and risk alienating the jury.
Keep up the good work Mr Greer.
So IMO here is a scenario that I really think could've have happened:
Complete rigor mortis takes up to 12 hours after death to fully set in, and starts with smaller parts of body first, i.e. eyelids, jaw etc., and larger muscles last. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigor_mortis) With the time of death range given in this case, it is likely that full rigor mortis had not set in at the time that AS discovered RZ's body. When placing RZ on the ground, or any attempt to move her body, it is likely that one would place arms under the leg, as this is the natural way to carry/pickup/move a body. Furthermore, since RZ's hands were tied behind her back you wouldn't place her directly on her back. This could explain how the body was positioned with legs bent, and slightly on one side. It would make sense as full rigor mortis set in that the legs then became rigid in this position.
As for lividity settling in the back, if a body is moved within a certain time after a hanging death and placed in a different position, then the hypostasis in the limbs will fade and new areas of lividity can appear along the back.
Suicide is sad, tragic, and traumatizing for those left behind. It might not always make sense, and it is understandable that grieving family members do not want to think that their loved one chose to die. However, that does not make it murder.
Me thinks Mr Webb is having to face some very tough decisions. Put them on the stand and see them crucified, don't put them on the stand and risk alienating the jury.
Keep up the good work Mr Greer.
<snipped to address>
This attack was sexual and deviant:
hogtie
knife handle
plastic bag and strangulation
unnecessary admission to masturbation
No one else (connected with Max) has to justify that last factor. He was worried they would find his sperm, not anyone else's.
BBM - I will admit it - this brings out some emotion :tantrum:!
His report was NOT 40 detailed pages. Semantics. Did the jury hear how the author of this “fine” 40 page report left Rebecca’s nude body exposed for 12 plus hours?
Someone who did not examine the body and who cannot answer the questions that should have been put to Lucas is no substitute for Lucas himself. This will be viewed negatively by the jury IMO.I don't believe it was a tough decision for Mr. Webb because a jury must base its decision on the evidence it sees and hears in the courtroom only, not on something or someone they don't see or hear.
Someone who did not examine the body and who cannot answer the questions that should have been put to Lucas is no substitute for Lucas himself. This will be viewed negatively by the jury IMO.
BBM. You're singing my tune, Tortoise. Imo, ^^this can't be stated often enough. Imo, this was a deviant sexual assault that ended in murder.
I don't know for sure, but from what has been described by Mary and Mr. Greer, they are barely staying afloat financially with this lawsuit. Maybe they'd like to sue them, but just can't bring the $$ resources against such a goliath-- who would have an unlimited, government/ public funded budget for defense.
Too bad some hugely wealthy celebrity or politician hasn't stepped up to help the Z family. That sure would be nice, and charitable.
Adam has Jonah's considerable wealth to fall back on.
MZLs husband just sold his pickup truck to help fund legal bills, per Mr. Greer.
Someone who did not examine the body and who cannot answer the questions that should have been put to Lucas is no substitute for Lucas himself. This will be viewed negatively by the jury IMO.
It may be viewed negatively by some on the jury but it also doesn't prove Adam caused RZ's death. I think the jury will have very explicit instructions before they deliberate.
A few questions for Dr. Gregory Davis rolling around in my head:
Have you ever been a county coroner? A county Medical Examiner? Where, when? Describe typical caseload.
How many hanging victims have you personally autopsied?
How many were bound with hands behind their back, hogtied, gagged, and went over a railing naked under their own power?
How many had no neck fractures?
How many had ligature damage below the hanging ligature, but without any bony neck fractures?
Have you ever been licensed in California?
Have you been certified by the California Clinical Forensic Medical Training Center in conjunction with the California District Attorneys Association? Have you completed The SAFE (Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner) training program?
What do you know about the Cal OES 2-923 Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Report Form, the state mandated form required for use in California, and the California Medical Protocol for Examination of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Victims?
Did the exam by Dr. JL comply in all areas with these standards?
What is the role of the San Diego County Medical examiner? How is it different from that of a coroner?
What is the unique structure of the SD ME's role in the law enforcement structure of suspicious death investigations in their jurisdiction?
What is the relationship and reporting authority between Sheriff Gore, and ME Dr. JL?
What did JL know about Max Shacknai's fall and prognosis at the time of Rebecca's autopsy?
(Ok, that's enough. I could go on and on. And I usually do..... sigh.)
And it obviously factors into their decision if they feel more inclined that suicide was an incorrect finding. Proof - to the standard of a preponderance of the evidence - that it was Adam comes from other evidence once the jury is sure it was not suicide.It may be viewed negatively by some on the jury but it also doesn't prove Adam caused RZ's death. I think the jury will have very explicit instructions before they deliberate.
And someone brought up earlier (sorry can't remember who), that had Adam known that JS was already seeing another woman, then Adam would maybe have no compunction to approach Rebecca and it went bad. And one thing led to another. I find that to be plausible.
BBM. I suspect that very fact is 99% of the reason Lucas wasn't called. Indefensible.
Edited to add: There's also that pesky little problem of her missing throat post-autopsy.
There were 2 autopsy’s. One performed by Wecht and one by Lucas. Wecht showed up to explain his findings and conclusion, Lucas did not do the same. With that said, the jury would put more weight into the findings of wecht, who actually performed an autopsy to an outside expert who just read the findings of someone else.