The Grand Jury & Trial

[LyndyLoo]

I am sure it had something to do with the timing of the 'find'. And maybe a hint as to "it's done, do what we planned."

Why was she to pickup the baby when he was within walking distance of the daycare anyway?

I think it was Her regular routine to do it..However..apparently, the STATE has proof of an email sent to Pappa Harris while at work regarding Cooper NOT getting dropped at their Daycare Centre ( HE never saw that email?? yikes!!)...I'm sure they also sent similar message to "Mommy Dearest too", but haven't heard definitively that..

I hate to say it..BUT Daddy intentionally left his son in that vehicle closed up windows (tinted) ignored it most the day..going for lunch..purchasing lightbulbs??? Yikes..No way would I waste lunch break on buying LIGHT Bulbs!! Dollar Store item....putting them in his car..was his ruse to make sure his precious son was Dead...

I find that inhuman..and very indicative of checking a pre-plan effort to "OFF" his child..and his wife, tho at this point not indicted..surely knew something was up???? His claim of not smelling?? Yeah!! Olfactory deficits can easily be verified. medically!! Believe me Decomp smell permeates ..even stuffed up nasal passages due to allergies..+ masks HC worker's wear!! ..Daddy Dearest of lying..and one despicable Daddy..Murder!! Felony++ His soul is lost!! :facepalm:

Sometimes adults should NEVER HAVE Children..:tantrum:

 

[MsMarple]

Total of qualified jurors as of today is 16. Each side gets 9 peremptory challenges so the jury pool needs to be at least 32; 12 jurors, 9 possible peremptory strikes on each side and 2 alternates. The judge may want more alternates so the number could be even higher.

Quote of the day: “That’s why I’m single,” said Juror 22, testifying about his consumption of online *advertiser censored*. That same juror, who was qualified over the objection of the state, said he can detect when someone is lying or not. “It’s a blessing and a curse,” he said.

Juror misconduct? Juror 22 also testified he overheard another prospective juror opine that Harris was guilty while completing a questionnaire last week. Although a clear violation of the court’s instructions not to “consult, confer or talk with any other person” while completing the questionnaire, the allegation wasn’t addressed in court.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-...ial-in-/nq7DD/?icmp=AJC_041816eveningdigest03

Juror 22 is the only person who heard the comment so I don't think this will lead to a mistrial.

 

[jennapuppy]

Ross and that hairspray.

Maybe Ross was late for his wedding because he stopped to get hairspray because he considered it the most important day in his life, wanted to look perfectly groomed, and realized on his way to church his hair didn't look great.

Ross and loving Cooper.

Where is the evidence he didn't love Cooper?

He uploaded a sonogram of Cooper on YouTube and wrote an exuberant, joyful post. His co-workers said Ross talked so often and glowingly about Cooper that they were annoyed by it. His friends say he loved Cooper and spent time with him. No one forced Ross to have regular special dad & me breakfasts at CF, 2-3 times a month. Stoddard's statement, if accurate, that Ross told women on SM he would leave Leanne if it weren't for Cooper can mean just what it says...that he didn't want to put his son through a divorce and what follows. Countless numbers of parents in unhappy marriages stay put for that reason. IMO it's called putting your children's welfare first, and it's actually an indication of both maturity and love for one's children.

This post just struck me in such a personal way, because this sounds so much like my ex-BIL. By all appearances, he was a church-going family man who doted on his family. Everyone who knew him when his children were young thought he was a great guy. Turns out it was all a facade. His frequent business trips turned out to be rendezvous with women he met online. (and this was 20 years ago, when that was a rather new phenomenon) His children were little more than props that were meant to show his employers what a responsible family man he was, in hopes of promotion within the company. His family was a means to an end and, once they had served their purpose, he moved on without looking back. His adult children realize now that he never loved them and never will, because he is incapable of loving anyone but himself. But 20 years ago, when he posed for all those happy photos with his family, no one in his life could have imagined what a cold, callous person he really was. It will take a lot more than photos and testimonials of friends to convince me of Ross' innocence, because I've seen firsthand how easy it is for some people to play the role of a loving father when no love is really there.

JMO

 

[Hope4More]

Once the jury pool is filled and the peremptory challenges begin we'll likely see some of the jurors weeded out.

The potential juror who said the defendant had to prove his innocence should have been excused on the spot. I've followed criminal trials for many years, my DH is a civil litigator, and I have NEVER heard such a thing as a judge thinking that was OK.

 

[Hope4More]

If they allow jurors on the case who should not be on it, that could be grounds for an appeal later on. They need to be very careful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Trial hasn't even begun and IMO the judge has provided at least 2 grounds for appeal. I see from her record though that she's a "hanging judge," but? and? considered a potential candidate for the GA Supreme Court. Odd.

 

[MsMarple]

The potential juror who said the defendant had to prove his innocence should have been excused on the spot. I've followed criminal trials for many years, my DH is a civil litigator, and I have NEVER heard such a thing as a judge thinking that was OK.

Maybe it's not as bad as was reported on Twitter:

“Her concept of burden of proof is that she would make this man do something to prove that he's not guilty. I don't think ‘I would do my best' is going to be sufficient to make her a fair and impartial juror,” Kilgore told Judge Mary Staley. “This is the exact reason why we have 250 jurors pooled. We knew this was going to happen.”

Despite his argument, Staley said she believed the juror and gave her the court’s OK.

“She ultimately ended up saying that her decision will be driven by the evidence in the courtroom, and she would make the state meet their burden of proof, that she'd been proven wrong before,” Staley said.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/ross-harr...n-picks-back-up-in-ross-harris-case/224243333

Kilgore will probably can her anyway. Juror 22 IMO is also problematic with his "uncanny ability" to tell when someone's lying. He sounds flakey.

 

[Hope4More]

I think it was Her regular routine to do it..However..apparently, the STATE has proof of an email sent to Pappa Harris while at work regarding Cooper NOT getting dropped at their Daycare Centre ( HE never saw that email?? yikes!!)...I'm sure they also sent similar message to "Mommy Dearest too", but haven't heard definitively that..

I hate to say it..BUT Daddy intentionally left his son in that vehicle closed up windows (tinted) ignored it most the day..going for lunch..purchasing lightbulbs??? Yikes..No way would I waste lunch break on buying LIGHT Bulbs!! Dollar Store item....putting them in his car..was his ruse to make sure his precious son was Dead...

I find that inhuman..and very indicative of checking a pre-plan effort to "OFF" his child..and his wife, tho at this point not indicted..surely knew something was up???? His claim of not smelling?? Yeah!! Olfactory deficits can easily be verified. medically!! Believe me Decomp smell permeates ..even stuffed up nasal passages due to allergies..+ masks HC worker's wear!! ..Daddy Dearest of lying..and one despicable Daddy..Murder!! Felony++ His soul is lost!! :facepalm:

Sometimes adults should NEVER HAVE Children..:tantrum:

Do you have a link for your info about what was contained in the email from daycare to the defendant? I wasn't aware the content had been made public.

 

[Dr. Know?]

I confess. I've stayed away from this case due to having doubt. Very interested in the trial and evidence. I can agree with both sides to some extent. More so that he was selfish and totally oblivious to Cooper in the back seat. jmo

Thanks for your opinions!

 

[Hope4More]

BBM. Actually they do depending on the situation(I've gotten some emails about community school emergencies that didn't specifically affect my daughter), and they do call if it's an unexcused absence. Just one example- my daughter missed the very first day of kindergarten due to illness- she had gotten food poisoning from some spoiled mac & cheese- they called to find out if she'd be there the next day. They contact whoever they have down for contact information and in order of preference.

Wonder what the difference is with schools? Here, from kindergarten on up, they don't call or text or check up whatsoever on kids who are absent for a day or two.

Would have to know what the policy was at Cooper's day care, then.

 

[Inthedetails]

Wonder what the difference is with schools? Here, from kindergarten on up, they don't call or text or check up whatsoever on kids who are absent for a day or two.

Would have to know what the policy was at Cooper's day care, then.

Isn't there a media thread for this case? I remember the day care email was fairly early on in the case - must be an article in the media thread somewhere.

 

[Hope4More]

I confess. I've stayed away from this case due to having doubt. Very interested in the trial and evidence. I can agree with both sides to some extent. More so that he was selfish and totally oblivious to Cooper in the back seat. jmo

Thanks for your opinions!

I agree, at least enough to have reasonable doubt, at least so far, before trial and seeing the evidence first hand, not the partial and IMO very skewed info being presented so far in the media.

The media frenzy in 2014 is what made me stop following it until now.

 

[Hope4More]

I think it was posing the same way Casey Anthony took constant pictures of her and Caylee- child used as prop.Going out to eat only proves Ross was hungry- not that it was Daddy & me bonding. He also could've killed him because he didn't want him to be a product of divorce. Sorry Hope, nothing above convinces me he was a loving dad.:notgood:

LinasK....I know better than to try to convince you of anything but in any case have no interest in trying to convince anyone about anything.

My interest is in looking at what evidence is available and assessing IMO and IMO only whether or not the State has a strong case or if there's room for reasonable doubt.

The only thing that interests me about the defendant's "character" is whether or not what the State is saying about motive makes sense to me psychologically. It doesn't so far, and only seems to if I begin with an assumption of his guilt, not innocence.

 

[TeaTime]

LinasK....I know better than to try to convince you of anything but in any case have no interest in trying to convince anyone about anything.

My interest is in looking at what evidence is available and assessing IMO and IMO only whether or not the State has a strong case or if there's room for reasonable doubt.

The only thing that interests me about the defendant's "character" is whether or not what the State is saying about motive makes sense to me psychologically. It doesn't so far, and only seems to if I begin with an assumption of his guilt, not innocence.

Of course, I know you know that 'motive' is nice to have but is not required to be proven by the state in order to convict. We like to chit chat about motive here but it is not an element of the crime. LE looks for suspects who have 'motive and opportunity' in order to solve crimes but motive can be too ethereal and irrational to require it as an element of proof. No one has to prove 'why' he did what he did, just that he did it.

 

[Hope4More]

Of course, I know you know that 'motive' is nice to have but is not required to be proven by the state in order to convict. We like to chit chat about motive here but it is not an element of the crime. LE looks for suspects who have 'motive and opportunity' in order to solve crimes but motive can be too ethereal and irrational to require it as an element of proof. No one has to prove 'why' he did what he did, just that he did it.

Yes. True. But IMO what this case boils down to in large part is proving intent, which goes to state of mind, which means the State will have to present a narrative that explains what they believe was his state of mind and a reason why he would want his son dead.

That Ross is responsible for Cooper's death isn't debatable. Whether or not he intended that Cooper die is what the jury has to decide--state of mind.

 

[TeaTime]

Yes. True. But IMO what this case boils down to in large part is proving intent, which goes to state of mind, which means the State will have to present a narrative that explains what they believe was his state of mind and a reason why he would want his son dead.

That Ross is responsible for Cooper's death isn't debatable. Whether or not he intended that Cooper die is what the jury has to decide--state of mind.

I think this will be resolved with the searches on hot car deaths 5 days before CH was left in the car, the fact that the baby car seat was 6 inches from him in the car, the minute drive to the parking lot, the searches on how to survive prison, the searches of the 'child-free' life, backing into the parking space, sitting in the car for 30 seconds before getting out to walk into the building, the light bulb drop off, the pause in the parking lot as someone neared the car, 'forgetting' the baby for 7 hours, the Judas Kiss BS story, the marital issues and driving to an audience before 'finding' the dead baby six inches from him. Then his exclamation to the officers that there was no malicious intent.

Top it off with "I dreaded what he would look like" and I call it done.

 

[LinasK]

I think it was Her regular routine to do it..However..apparently, the STATE has proof of an email sent to Pappa Harris while at work regarding Cooper NOT getting dropped at their Daycare Centre ( HE never saw that email?? yikes!!)...I'm sure they also sent similar message to "Mommy Dearest too", but haven't heard definitively that..

I hate to say it..BUT Daddy intentionally left his son in that vehicle closed up windows (tinted) ignored it most the day..going for lunch..purchasing lightbulbs??? Yikes..No way would I waste lunch break on buying LIGHT Bulbs!! Dollar Store item....putting them in his car..was his ruse to make sure his precious son was Dead...

I find that inhuman..and very indicative of checking a pre-plan effort to "OFF" his child..and his wife, tho at this point not indicted..surely knew something was up???? His claim of not smelling?? Yeah!! Olfactory deficits can easily be verified. medically!! Believe me Decomp smell permeates ..even stuffed up nasal passages due to allergies..+ masks HC worker's wear!! ..Daddy Dearest of lying..and one despicable Daddy..Murder!! Felony++ His soul is lost!! :facepalm:

Sometimes adults should NEVER HAVE Children..:tantrum:

His claim of supposed hearing loss can be medically tested too and to what degree. Get an audiologist to perform an audiogram!

 

[LinasK]

Wonder what the difference is with schools? Here, from kindergarten on up, they don't call or text or check up whatsoever on kids who are absent for a day or two.

Would have to know what the policy was at Cooper's day care, then.

Unless you call in to the "sick line", they do here! CA school districts want their money. They get paid by the state for every child who is "in their seat" at 8a.m. Also, you can get nasty attendance letters sent home, not only for too many absences in a month/year, but too many tardies even during the school day! I just recently got one, even for having to pull my daughter out early a couple of periods at the end of the day for dental and medical appointments I couldn't book later in the day.

 

[LinasK]

Of course, I know you know that 'motive' is nice to have but is not required to be proven by the state in order to convict. We like to chit chat about motive here but it is not an element of the crime. LE looks for suspects who have 'motive and opportunity' in order to solve crimes but motive can be too ethereal and irrational to require it as an element of proof. No one has to prove 'why' he did what he did, just that he did it.

I just found out he had two life insurance policies on him, on for $2,000 and another for $25,000. With all the true crime shows I've seen, that's motive enough for me!!

 

[Hope4More]

I think this will be resolved with the searches on hot car deaths 5 days before CH was left in the car, the fact that the baby car seat was 6 inches from him in the car, the minute drive to the parking lot, the searches on how to survive prison, the searches of the 'child-free' life, backing into the parking space, sitting in the car for 30 seconds before getting out to walk into the building, the light bulb drop off, the pause in the parking lot as someone neared the car, 'forgetting' the baby for 7 hours, the Judas Kiss BS story, the marital issues and driving to an audience before 'finding' the dead baby six inches from him. Then his exclamation to the officers that there was no malicious intent.

Top it off with "I dreaded what he would look like" and I call it done.

He and his wife looked up hot car info together, she'll testify in support of his innocence, he didn't make searches about being child-free, the searches for surviving prison, if brought in, can be explained as related to his sexual involvement with minors, he waited 15, not 30 seconds in the car, he threw the light bulbs into the car without putting his head inside, his drive to the intersection wasn't 30 or 40 seconds or anything under 1.15 - 2 minutes, he had begun texting with a woman right before he left CF or right after he left and resumed as soon as he got to his desk- ie, he was distracted, he never paused in the parking lot or appeared the least bit aware of the 2 persons walking near him or his car, he didn't forget his baby for 7 hours, he thought he'd dropped him off and was focused on sexting with 6 women, he had marital issues like millions of other people do, whether or not he kissed Cooper can't be proven, he said I dreaded what he'd look like because in that split second when he saw him in the back seat time slowed down and the video he'd watched flashed through his mind, and of course he dreaded opening up that door and seeing his son who he knew must be dead, he said no malicious intent because he is either that selfish or was that much in shock.

Reasonable doubt.

 

[GA_Peach]

Yes. True. But IMO what this case boils down to in large part is proving intent, which goes to state of mind, which means the State will have to present a narrative that explains what they believe was his state of mind and a reason why he would want his son dead.

That Ross is responsible for Cooper's death isn't debatable. Whether or not he intended that Cooper die is what the jury has to decide--state of mind.

Bold added by me.

The part in bold is not entirely true. Harris has been charged with felony murder as well as malice murder. Unlike malice murder, which requires intent, felony murder refers to a death that occurs during the commission of another felony. In the case of JRH, the other felony is second-degree child cruelty. Second-degree child cruelty simply requires criminal negligence, not willful intent. In Georgia, "criminal negligence is an act or failure to act which demonstrates a willful, wanton, or reckless disregard for the safety of others who might reasonably be expected to be injured thereby." In order for the prosecution to prove that JRH committed felony murder, they only need to prove that JRH showed a reckless disregard for Cooper's safety.

While I think that proving intent and malice beyond a reasonably doubt will be nearly impossible (I am not expecting to see a conviction of malice murder and first-degree child cruelty), it will be equally hard for the defense to show that JRH didn't show a reckless disregard for Cooper's life if for no other reason than Cooper died "under" Ross's care. I suspect that he will be found guilty of second-degree child cruelty, which would also lead to a felony murder conviction.

As you mentioned in your other post, JRH was allegedly distracted by his texting. It's precisely for that reason that his actions are likely to be considered criminally negligent. Rather than looking after Cooper and dropping him off at daycare, he was paying attention to his phone. He was less concerned with the blood flowing to his brain and more concerned with the blood flowing to other parts of his body.