I've wondered for a long time if HHJP's appeal phobia wasn't a great part of this perfect storm. But I don't think he steered the jury anywhere. After watching the entire trial (and a few parts of it several times!) I am left with the overall impression that he went easy on the defense team.
I will be the first to admit that my opinion is of small worth as I have no credentials whatsoever ~ legal or otherwise. But I do have enough common sense to know when a person is not living up to their reputation. It's my opinion that HHJP built a reputation of no nonsense, by-the-book, high expectations of all participants when he held court. I felt he excused Jose and team from living up to his normal standards.
For example he wouldn't allow the prosecution to present the jury with a sniff test of the overwhelming scent of decomposition present in Casey's car trunk. (Remember that can?) He barred this, as I recall, because he thought it would create a situation wherein the jury would actually become witnesses themselves. But, in my opinion, he contradicted this when he allowed the defense to pass the velveeta cheese container around ~ (actually hand-to-hand from one juror to another) and then allowed them to comment on smell. (Lol, please don't make me go in search of a link ~ can anyone else reading also remember and verify this?)
So yes; while I don't think he was even-handed when dealing with the prosecution and defense, I would hate to actually call it steering the jury but I can sure see how that might well be the end result.
Thank you for your thought provoking post, Mrs G Norris. :blowkiss: