***SPOILER ALERT*** Imperfect Justice by Jeff Ashton - CONTENT DISCUSSION

[Intermezzo]

I think we ultimately concluded that the body might have been in the trunk unbagged for only a few days (leading to the decomp finding) and then in the trunk bagged for a while longer.

Thanks AZ
iirc...2.5 or 3 days, then she was bagged and later dumped.

Tried to find the thread, iirc...it was when the forensics were released...

UPDATE....Here is a link to one of the threads for anyone interested in reading it.
http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73752&highlight=trunk

 

[Intermezzo]

Thanks. Haven't seen that thread, but the conclusion makes great sense and fits in with the forensics JA lays out in the book.

He doesn't mention that as a scenario, but then, he does very little laying out of possible scenarios for any aspect of the case. I got the sense he's not a speculator, at least, not at the end of the day (or case).

Here is 1 of the threads where we discussed how long Caylee was in the trunk.

http://websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73752&highlight=trunk&page=13

 

[ExpectingUnicorns]

Okay, I have to tell you all how absolutely wonderful it is to see so many of my friends here again. OMGosh ~ even my so admired Muzikman!!! It makes me nostalgic for the good ol' days when we all gathered our ideas together, searched the www for details and facts and formed our individual opinions. I have missed it all!

I received the Kindle edition early morning on release date. DH and I were driving to Alexandria VA for our Thanksgiving visit with DD and sweet family. I read the book aloud to DH for two solid days of driving (when I wasn't too busy backseat driving ) and we both commented on what a great, readable book it is. JA's writing is clear, organized, original and engaging. DH, who didn't really get involved in the case until the actual trial was televised, honestly enjoyed every word of Ashton's book.

Our first night at the motel, I could hardly wait to read all of your opinions. I have been super busy and happy since our arrival and haven't been able to do much more reading but have read most of the input here (as a sorta condensed version). My WS friends never let me down ~ I agree that he did a great job and I can look forward to the two day drive home to finish the book and see if the last half of the book is even better than the first, as you all have made it sound.

Kudos to dear friend RR and Zippity for having gone to the signing and sharing so much with us. Made me feel like I was there, too.

Can hardly wait for MM's Q&A thread and to read the last of the book. Must end this overly long post with huge thanks to Mr Ashton. He deserves every bit of SOTS's admiration (lol) and ours, too!

 

[Intermezzo]

What I did not know....

-Casey was invited to testify in front of the grand jury, without immunity, but declined

-When OCA was arrested in October 2008 JA said that she could have asked the Court for a Bond hearing but opted not to...

-JA liked to use the Grand Jury process to lock in witness testimony of those witnesses who the they believed may change their testimony later on...he felt George may be such a witness

-the PT considered having Cindy testify in front of the Grand Jury..but they thought her denial was so great that in the end Yuri Melich presented her testimony.

 

[atthelake]

I finally picked up the book today while I was out. I haven't started reading it yet but I was just thumbing through the pictures. The picture of Casey wearing the blue hooded-sweatshirt-- I never knew where that picture came from. Does everyone else remember this? Maybe I just totally missed the discussion about it. I don't know why anything about this woman shocks me anymore but my mouth dropped open when I read that they told her they were going to use it on a missing persons poster and she smiled like that. What a whackadoodle.

Yep - that was one to remember for us. That's the reason that JA in his book talks about Linda wearing the hoodie to the jury selection in his book - THAT WAS NEW IN THE BOOK as to her doing that. Jeez, I would LOVE to see a photo in her garb that day - a comic relief for them I'm sure after so much painstaking work.........! That photo would be - IMO :great:

 

[atthelake]

What I did not know....

-Casey was invited to testify in front of the grand jury, without immunity, but declined

-When OCA was arrested in October 2008 JA said that she could have asked the Court for a Bond hearing but opted not to...

-JA liked to use the Grand Jury process to lock in witness testimony of those witnesses who the they believed may change their testimony later on...he felt George may be such a witness

-the PT considered having Cindy testify in front of the Grand Jury..but they thought her denial was so great that in the end Yuri Melich presented her testimony.

I have not gotten the book yet (AUGH :banghead::banghead: even though pre-ordered)....anyhoo.....what dies he say in the book about Yuri and the others in LE? of course, from a professional standpoint, not what us gals were saying about him, Dr. Vass and Jeff on a more basic viewpoint
:blushing:

 

[atthelake]

What I did not know....

-Casey was invited to testify in front of the grand jury, without immunity, but declined

-When OCA was arrested in October 2008 JA said that she could have asked the Court for a Bond hearing but opted not to...

-JA liked to use the Grand Jury process to lock in witness testimony of those witnesses who the they believed may change their testimony later on...he felt George may be such a witness

-the PT considered having Cindy testify in front of the Grand Jury..but they thought her denial was so great that in the end Yuri Melich presented her testimony.

Intermezzo - WOW! Thanks! These are items that I never knew! These are above and beyond anything that has been posted on the spoiler thread as of late! Durn, still don't have my book and pre-ordered it! I"m thinking of cancelling my order and getting it NOW. I'll never pre-order again! This was the only time I've ever done so - and well - I'm VERY disappointed as I could now download the audio book for free!

 

[Melanie]

What I did not know....

-Casey was invited to testify in front of the grand jury, without immunity, but declined

-When OCA was arrested in October 2008 JA said that she could have asked the Court for a Bond hearing but opted not to...

-JA liked to use the Grand Jury process to lock in witness testimony of those witnesses who the they believed may change their testimony later on...he felt George may be such a witness

-the PT considered having Cindy testify in front of the Grand Jury..but they thought her denial was so great that in the end Yuri Melich presented her testimony.

I also appreciated the behind the scenes insight into the psych evals. The fact that CFCMA didn't mention her daddy abusing her early on is telling - since this was Jose's biggest talking point in the opening. How the man lives with himself is beyond me.

Also, Jeff's thoughts on the jurors was quite interesting (no love lost there obviously). His analysis of this high maintenance jury was telling in light they placed more emphasis on pretzels and a sports game over spending any time on deliberations is spot on. Shame on them!

Not sure if it was mentioned up thread, but Jeff was shocked when one of the jurors, who ran out of water during a session of testimony, raised his bottle to a deputy and shook it - signaling "another please"-- as if the deputy was his personal butler. And "this was the kind of jury who were dealing with"- taken to me to mean "self-entitled celebrities.

I followed this case quite religiously, and watched just about every day of testimony - but I still learned a thing or two. Definitely a read well worth it.

Thanks Jeff!

Mel

 

[jandkmom]

I have not gotten the book yet (AUGH :banghead::banghead: even though pre-ordered)....anyhoo.....what dies he say in the book about Yuri and the others in LE? of course, from a professional standpoint, not what us gals were saying about him, Dr. Vass and Jeff on a more basic viewpoint
:blushing:

JA was very appreciative and respectful of everyone who worked on the case. I don't think he said a negative thing about any of LE, FBI or scientists on the Prosecution side.

 

[Melanie]

JA was very appreciative and respectful of everyone who worked on the case. I don't think he said a negative thing about any of LE, FBI or scientists on the Prosecution side.

He sure didn't. Though I did find him to be quite snarky when discussing the jury and the DT.

:floorlaugh:

gosh I love him!

Mel

 

[Melanie]

I have not gotten the book yet (AUGH :banghead::banghead: even though pre-ordered)....anyhoo.....what dies he say in the book about Yuri and the others in LE? of course, from a professional standpoint, not what us gals were saying about him, Dr. Vass and Jeff on a more basic viewpoint
:blushing:

Jeff was quite professional when discussing Yuri, Vass, and other members of LE. He has nothing but the utmost respect for them. He did mention, however, how JB took just about everything they testifed to was twisted and turned upside down. Paraphrasing of course, but I believe we all saw that during the trial.

He didn't delve into any personal information on Yuri -- unfortunately He's still my hero!

Mel

 

[CarolinaMoon]

Welcome back, Muzikman! I, too was dismayed when you "disappeared" from the boards. Who woulda' thunk you were on the defense witness list! I am salivating on the thought of that thread Beach mentioned. I have so many questions for you.

Thank you so very much for all those documents and the time and $$ you expended before we all started chipping in.

I wasn't a very big poster during the trial, I am a terrible sleuth, but a good reader. I saw all but 3 1/2 days of the trial and I have to confess I was also blogging the trial at the same time. When I had some free time from my chores, I always came back to WS to see if I got it right!

Muzikman, without you, I would have been totally at sea about those motions. Right now, they are all (almost) filed chronologically in file boxes in my basement.

It's also so good to see some of the posters who have been missing. It took me a long time to calm down from the trial and I'm now just in it for the book... which I am supposed to receive TUESDAY! I am sure that my reading all the spoilers will only enrich my experience.

 

[miss plum]

It is truly great to see so many posters back here again. I'm glad (and intrigued) that the Musikman disappearance has been explained, and to have a chance to say thank you Musikman for all your dedicated work.

I also keep hoping Chiquita will reappear, she is such a wonderful poster, and she worked so tirelessly during the trial to transcribe for people who couldn't watch it live, and she has always been such a devoted loving advocate for Caylee. I'm sure the verdict was absolutely crushing for her, as it was for most of us, and I often wonder how she is doing. Sending best wishes and peace to dear Chiquita<3

 

[2goldfish]

It is truly great to see so many posters back here again. I keep hoping Chiquita will reappear, she is such a wonderful poster, and she worked so tirelessly during the trial to transcribe for people who couldn't watch it live, and she has always been such a devoted loving advocate for Caylee. I'm sure the verdict was absolutely crushing for her, as it was for most of us, and I often wonder how she is doing. Sending best wishes and peace to dear Chiquita<3

I second this. now that muzikman is at least accounted for we're still missing so many others I wish angel who cares would make a reappearance too.

 

[Sammiejam]

So many wonderful posters MIA, but so WONDERFUL to *see* (hear) from everyone that shared so much over the 3 years.

I &#9829; you all.

 

[Intermezzo]

JA was very appreciative and respectful of everyone who worked on the case. I don't think he said a negative thing about any of LE, FBI or scientists on the Prosecution side.

I agree...

Also I would like to mention the Recovery Team..
Those men and women who, on their hands and knees, painstakingly sifted through the muck in a swampy area to recover all but, iirc, 2 of Cayle's bones.

The area had poison ivy, and many of the recovery team got poison ivy and also became sick...

One more thing...JA does mention a few times how thick the vegetation was where Caylee was dumped...
How thick the curtain of the Air Potato vine was that it was no wonder no one found Caylee...and the fact that the area was dumping ground for the locals...there were many black garbage bags in the area..

Casey knew that area was a dumping ground...did she count on one more black garbage bag just blending in with the rest of the garbage in the area?

 

[Intermezzo]

JA does mention in the book, how Casey can change her emotions.

When he gave that impassioned statement about Caylee if she looked into her killers in eyes...JA was facing Judge Strickland, he said the courtroom was silent, he had no idea what was going on behind him..though her heard some noise or movement from the Defense table
Later when he watched the video, he noticed how Casey was very angry at first until Jose leaned over said something to her and then she turned on the tears.

His opinion was what we witnessed at the beginning is the real Casey...The Casey that becomes angry if someone tells the truth...and I agree...

 

[jon_burrows]

I agree...

Also I would like to mention the Recovery Team..
Those men and women who, on their hands and knees, painstakingly sifted through the muck in a swampy area to recover all but, iirc, 2 of Cayle's bones.

The area had poison ivy, and many of the recovery team got poison ivy and also became sick...

One more thing...JA does mention a few times how thick the vegetation was where Caylee was dumped...
How thick the curtain of the Air Potato vine was that it was no wonder no one found Caylee...and the fact that the area was dumping ground for the locals...there were many black garbage bags in the area..

Casey knew that area was a dumping ground...did she count on one more black garbage bag just blending in with the rest of the garbage in the area?

BBM - Is that what JA says in the book?

ITA, CSI's did an amazing job.

IMO

 

[Intermezzo]

BBM - Is that what JA says in the book?

ITA, CSI's did an amazing job.

IMO

I don't have the book in front of me...I have things highlighted on my NOOK...
iirc..it was 2 small bones and one or both were from the foot.

 

[logicalgirl]

It is truly great to see so many posters back here again. I'm glad (and intrigued) that the Musikman disappearance has been explained, and to have a chance to say thank you Musikman for all your dedicated work.

I also keep hoping Chiquita will reappear, she is such a wonderful poster, and she worked so tirelessly during the trial to transcribe for people who couldn't watch it live, and she has always been such a devoted loving advocate for Caylee. I'm sure the verdict was absolutely crushing for her, as it was for most of us, and I often wonder how she is doing. Sending best wishes and peace to dear Chiquita<3

Me too Miss Plum - I worry about Chiquita and wish she would come by to say hello..It's interesting to look back and see what happened at WS at the time of the verdict. For some of us the verdict was so painful we just couldn't bear to leave the forum, looking for some peace and answers to our pain, and some of our members seem like the pain is so great they can't come back until they have some time and some answers.

Thank you Jeff Ashton for your wonderful book - you seem to have helped come back together and talk about our feelings of helplessness and anger at the verdict and find some peace.