Summary of my afternoon in court:
* Thank God I have a keyboard to type on right now; I suck at texting so thank you for not getting irritated!
* Jodi took her glasses off when jury was out of the room, also slid them down to the tip of her nose like readers when sitting close - face to face with Cha Cha chatting. She made sure to get them back on fast when the jury was coming back in.
* I sat right behind her. I saw the "broken" finger in action. Her arms and fingers animate like, like a creature. That's the only way I can describe it.
* Her mother has lost weight and her hair is much longer. She and Jodi look so much alike now. Jodi's hair was cut straight across the back and actually a bit shorter than mom's.
* I sat right in front of @sneakyjuror and her friend. Saw BK working away with computer and a power strip and all - saw Jen (trial diaries), 13th juror, but failed to figure out anyone else. Very hard to listen, text, and try to watch the jurors all at the same time with an iPhone 5s.
* You cannot sit on the prosecution side; it's reserved for media, court personnel and Alexander Family. I tried. :-/
*The asthma lady who asked me to move, she and her friend have been there from day 1 of the first trial. They seem to know the Alexanders by now. I talked to them afterward and walked to my car with them. TA family parked in same lot. I did not talk to them - I know it was a long day and they were all dressed to the 9's and dignified. I CANNOT imagine if my own brother was murdered and having to sit there and listen to him being trashed over and over and over. Kudos to them.
* Jurors: Only 4 that I could say were "old" but they looked about my age. Can't say if that makes them more vulnerable to buying the DV angle. There are 3 fairly young women, one Travis-like guy, one good looking goatee guy, most are middle aged. I thought their questions were brilliant!!! They sometimes looked like they were taking notes, but they could have been doodling for all I know. Their attention waned at times; heads down, but so did everyones, even mine - sheesh I'm good at paying attention but I zoned out twice.
At other times they were really listening, a few leaning in a bit. They did not seem overly impressed with Dr. Geff today. He was Mr. Social and happy and chatty and personable when not testifying. But I don't think the jury liked him. I do not think they trust him. And after many of their questions, Geffner was uncomfortably silent before figuring out "how" to answer the question. It was obvious. I had to practice my game face HARD. I caught myself smiling when twice he seemed stunned that he had no answer and had to scramble. It was so obvious. So obvious. Great job jury.
* Texts: My 18 year old stepdaughter just said the other day she didn't want to tell a guy a certain something via text and she explained to me it's too easy to misinterpret and read something more into a text as opposed to in person!!! BINGO!!! Travis did text several women at the same time, same day, same period of time as well and it was flirty and sexual but also teasing. "When are we going to make a baby?" Could be a running joke between them who knows? Could be his way of wanting a relationship if she was LDS too - can't make a baby til married right?
Too many variables for ANYONE to put them on a big screen and try to interpret what a dead man meant in a text. It was just WRONG. Seemed like Travis liked to talk about marriage and babies. Did he do so to manipulate these women or were those things he was looking for while he was navigating "dating" as a 30 year old Mormon. Geff's interpretation as an old geezer means nothing. No amount of psych ed. can educate you on how to interpret texts. There are some pretty young ladies on the jury and I bet they get what I'm saying.
* Juan: powerful. There was a long stretch where he just sat there and let Wilmott and Geff go on and on with the same molestation, young boys, child *advertiser censored*, abuse of women story. His objections had been overruled but he doesn't give up. I think he did it to just let them hang themselves a bit. The more they went over it, the more desperate it started to sound - the more rehearsed and contrived - and the LESS it made sense. Maybe Juan is a jury whisperer, because the questions they asked made me think he was right. THEN - he broke 10 tackles, ran into the end zone and spiked the ball…by elaborating on the jurors' curiosity of why the only evidence of these nasty things is from Jodi only. He drove that point home with his final questions of Geff.
I'd say JW is a good attorney too. They sure have been dogged about this case - unrelenting. I saw her do her best with what she has to work with. She stays sharp on dates, times, names…
*Judge - WTF? OK listen. I was pretty shocked at what went on today. First, there is a lot of gum chewing and eating in court! Where I'm from, no way. I was a juror and knew many of the judges from school and they are strict on protocol. Next: the inability to cross examine these affidavit witnesses concerns me. Not NECESSARY. We have the technology to not show a person's face (remember the Kennedy rape blue dot?) and they can testify by video feed from anywhere or call in. Somehow everyone knows who "Witness 1" is anyway. Even Geff called him by name twice by accident.
What JSS set out to accomplish has been blown apart and in the process, so has justice. No doubt it felt like Travis was on trial. Character evidence cannot be used against a defendant, however the victim is fair game here. And letting Jodi testify in private?? WHAT? The reason for private witness testimony was because the witness was intimidated and afraid of harassment and death threats. None of that applies to Jodi so what is the real reason? That bothers me. Seriously.
OK, I need rest. Going to try and make it back tomorrow.
Does anyone know if I can get wifi in courtroom? iPad would be easier than phone!!! I'll bring it just in case.
Last thing my daughter asked: "Is she creepy in person?" Yes in the way she moved her arms and fingers all creature-like. No as to her looks. She is not tall, short legs and does look rather plain. If she was shopping next to me at Safeway I wouldn't notice her. It's just the freakish long fingers and arms and how she uses them. Then think about what she did to another human being and it's hard to wrap your head around. I prefer to focus on what next for her?
