The Verdict is In - post your thoughts here

[borndem]

The Adventures of Brad chapter 2...

Touché and ouch!! Good one!

 

[Lori59]

While ultimately, I believe the correct person has been convicted of the crime (although I will always have moments of doubt), I am still highly disappointed in the whole process and some of the actions of the people we pay to represent us and protect us.

I went to Brittaby Ct. tonight. I haven't been there in a couple of years. I was flooded with emotions from these last couple of months. I couldn't help but wonder as I drove down Fielding Dr. (and what a long drive that is) if he had his lights off. I parked at the beginning of the court because a couple of homeowners were out talking. The street is so different now with 3 beautiful homes filling the cul-de-sac. There will never be a home where her body was found. I spent a few minutes talking to them (one was the mother in law of the Toll Brother witness that testified). Then, I went over to where Nancy's body was found. I stood where I thought she actually layed. The drainage pond has been filled now and the area is just a grass field. I was surprised by the emotion of being there. I never felt that emotion in the few other times I visited the site. I said a silent prayer for Nancy in hopes that she can finally rest in peace. I also said a prayer that the right person was convicted this evening. I realized standing there how emotionally invested I have become in this during the past 2 months. I just don't think I can follow another trial like this. I'm drained and ready to get back to normal life.

Thanks for this post. I share the same feelings. Nice of you to go by and honor her with a prayer. I have such emotion tonight as well, and I can only imagine how much it is magnified to all those personally involved. Another example of how many lives crimes like these effect people. Hope after some time with your normal life, to see you on another case. :seeya:

 

[ncsu95]

Thanks for this post. I share the same feelings. Nice of you to go by and honor her with a prayer. I have such emotion tonight as well, and I can only imagine how much it is magnified to all those personally involved. Another example of how many lives crimes like these effect people. Hope after some time with your normal life, to see you on another case. :seeya:

Well if I happen to show up in the Jason Young case, it won't be under the same circumstances. Because I'm already on the completely biased I think he is guilty as hell train, and I'm not coming off of it.

 

[borndem]

The Adventures of Brad chapter 2...

Touché and ouch!! Good one!

 

[ohiogirl]

While ultimately, I believe the correct person has been convicted of the crime (although I will always have moments of doubt), I am still highly disappointed in the whole process and some of the actions of the people we pay to represent us and protect us.

I went to Brittaby Ct. tonight. I haven't been there in a couple of years. I was flooded with emotions from these last couple of months. I couldn't help but wonder as I drove down Fielding Dr. (and what a long drive that is) if he had his lights off. I parked at the beginning of the court because a couple of homeowners were out talking. The street is so different now with 3 beautiful homes filling the cul-de-sac. There will never be a home where her body was found. I spent a few minutes talking to them (one was the mother in law of the Toll Brother witness that testified). Then, I went over to where Nancy's body was found. I stood where I thought she actually layed. The drainage pond has been filled now and the area is just a grass field. I was surprised by the emotion of being there. I never felt that emotion in the few other times I visited the site. I said a silent prayer for Nancy in hopes that she can finally rest in peace. I also said a prayer that the right person was convicted this evening. I realized standing there how emotionally invested I have become in this during the past 2 months. I just don't think I can follow another trial like this. I'm drained and ready to get back to normal life.

Since I am not from N Carolina I have not had the opportunity to do what you did tonite. But I am sorry that we have all been here the last two months. I hope the outcome was right. I feel it is, the courts will decide for me.
I only wish this hadn't come down to such a complicated series of facts. I feel that the whole case was confused by technological data and the judge, jury and lawyers were not equipped to separate fact from fiction.
Look at this board, there were differing opinions on every computer testimony that was presented. Hopefully the appeals court will be able to sort it out.
I pray that justice was served. imo
Can't rejoice, sorry.

 

[Madeleine74]

I wonder if the homeowner nearest where that drainage pond used to be on Brittaby Ct. would mind if some flowers were left?

 

[ohiogirl]

ncsu95 it has been a pleasure

 

[Cheyenne130]

Well if I happen to show up in the Jason Young case, it won't be under the same circumstances. Because I'm already on the completely biased I think he is guilty as hell train, and I'm not coming off of it.

That perspective doesn't diminish those emotional feelings when the verdict is read. In the Scott Peterson case, I knew he was guilty from day one. When the state presented their case I thought that the defense blew them out of the water. Then the defense came on and the state turned the tables. I was still very nervous when the verdict came in. I can remember exactly where I was when the verdict came down. No matter which side you're on, you get emotionally invested. I am just thankful that I'm not a family member. God bless them all!

 

[Amster]

I hope he wins his appeal, the verdict gets dismissed and he gets another trial. It was a major travesty of justice. I think rejoicing for this is rejoicing for more freedoms lost.

I WILL rejoice that convicted killer, Bradley Cooper, is on his way to prison! I WILL rejoice for justice! For Nancy! I WILL rejoice that inmate Bradley Cooper has lost his freedom! REJOICE!! :martini:

 

[ncsu95]

I wonder if the homeowner nearest where that drainage pond used to be on Brittaby Ct. would mind if some flowers were left?

The woman I talked to lives across the street. She said not too many people come by now. They are fine with people visiting the site. They wouldn't have an issue with flowers being left.

 

[Skittles]

I wonder if the homeowner nearest where that drainage pond used to be on Brittaby Ct. would mind if some flowers were left?

I, too, thought about flowers, either at the site or at Nancy's bench at Regency Park.

 

[Madeleine74]

Thanks NCSU.

Good idea, Skittles. Maybe some at both locations.

 

[calgary123]

I posted back in 2008 that BC's lawyers were fools for letting him do that deposition and that some day it was going to be used against him. That proved to be the case.

What is really puzzling about that is Brad submits to the examination, but then consents to a temporary custody order in favor of the Rentz' before he is arrested. It appears his lawyers expected him to hold up to examination, but then when they saw what he said, they realized their mistake and buried the issue as quick as they could. This would suggest Brad was not forthright with his attorneys at the beginning, or that Brad actually convinced them he could get through the examination unscathed. Had he told them he did it, they would have circled the wagons and their client would have been in a better position going into the criminal trial. Maybe they thought he also wouldn't be charged. In any event, allowing him to participate in the examination --regardless-- of innocence or guilt was a major mistake.

From a public perception point of view, Brad could have released a statement "I love my children more than life itself, and to protect my ability to be there for them in the future, my attorneys have prohibited me from testifying in the custody case at this time. There will be a time I will testify to win custody, but it is in their best interests that I not do that now. I wish the best for my children in the capable and loving care of the Rentz family."

I suppose hindsight is 20/20 for Brad's team, but submitting to that deposition was an obvious mistake even at the time.

 

[borndem]

Originally Posted by TigerBalm
O/T for those also following the Coleman trial, they just announce the jury has reached a verdict. The parties are gathering into the courtroom, Fox2 will announce as soon as they find out what the verdict is.

http://www.fox2now.com/news/livestreaming/

they don't even get a camera in the courtroom for the verdict?? couldn't the reporter at least talk while he standing out there

Is the DP on the table? What is the charge?

 

[borndem]

this is good news

Good to see you BeeMe! :seeya:

 

[jmflu]

I'm hoping someone can help me with this. I truly, in my heart of hearts, cannot understand why half of a city has made a psychopath into some kind of posterboy-celebrity-martyr for such lofty causes as dad's rights and the soundness of the entire American justice and law enforcement system. It just boggles my mind. I have read and read to try and understand some of the viewpoints, and I might as well be reading Chinese. If you were going to pick a poster boy for such lofty concepts, wouldn't you pick someone who wasn't a BC? Who didn't evidence the traits of a psychopath? Who did evidence some concern for a missing wife and later two motherless children? Who didn't lie and change his story? Who didn't require the entire free world to be involved in conspiracy in order to make him somehow innocent?

I'm not baffled at those who want to see him have a fair trial. Everyone should have a fair trial. I'm baffled at those who have put him on a pedestal and made a psychopath a symbol for good.

One question: is there any way to know the Innocence Project's stance on this trial? Whether they will further involve themselves or walk away? Walking away from it would be a pretty strong indictment, wouldn't it?

This is a really great post and I wonder why, too... I often got the feeling there were insiders posting, and maybe some bitter people who have done some of the things Brad did and see nothing wrong with cheating and lies... Or maybe people who were unjustly convicted and thought they recognized a fellow sufferer? I don't know, but I sure have seen a lot of ignorant posts and some vicious ones, too. I can't even read GOLO now, it upsets me so.

 

[borndem]

Actually in NC, it always is.
Life w/o parole for 1st degree murder.

Did you notice Cummings had to educate the judge on that fact?

BBM
Thanks RPD for the LWOP answer -- I thought so, but I wanted to hear it for sure.

As for the bold -- I missed that -- what did Cummings have to tell him? TIA.

 

[TigerBalm]

Originally Posted by TigerBalm
O/T for those also following the Coleman trial, they just announce the jury has reached a verdict. The parties are gathering into the courtroom, Fox2 will announce as soon as they find out what the verdict is.

http://www.fox2now.com/news/livestreaming/




Is the DP on the table? What is the charge?

Jurors deliberated 15 hours over two days before finding Christopher Coleman, 34, guilty of three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sheri Coleman, 31, and their two sons, ages 11 and 9.

With the verdict, the trial advanced to the sentencing phase in which prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty, though such a sentence most likely would be symbolic because capital punishment was abolished in Illinois in March. Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn has pledged to commute a death sentence given to anyone before the ban takes effect July 1.

<snip>
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/05/05/marine-guilty-wife-sons-murder-case/

 

[borndem]

I think Brad was feeling that rage once again. He focused in on the target of that rage today: the jury, the ADAs, possibly even the Rentz family. That was not a look of sadness, nor of regret. That was sheer anger.

Think about this: the judge, the jury, the spectators in the courtroom...all showed more emotion for the victim, as well as the sad fate of the defendant, than the defendant ever did. The judge choking up affected me; he cannot enjoy having to sentence someone to LWOP.

I completely agree with all that you said -- yes, it was a look of pure anger, bordering hate, I'd say...(how many times did he look at NC that way? Mean enough to raise the hair on the back of my neck & give me chillbumps <shiver>). Scary, that look.

And I think you've got it right about the Judge choking up, and I agree that he did -- how many times has he had to read that verdict -- or worse? He seems to see the waste of both lives. Bless him, too.

Such a shame all around.

 

[TXredhead178]

I haven't posted much here, but this case drew me in from the moment I heard about NC's going missing in the national news media. A young mother's disappearance is always disturbing news. My heart has ached for her little girls from the outset.

While spousal involvement is naturally a consideration under such circumstances, I didn't automatically jump to any conclusions about Brad. But as the situation unfolded and more information became available, my suspicions did begin to grow. Still, I wasn't completely convinced of his guilt until the trial was well underway.

This was such a difficult case from the outset, given so little physical evidence. I agree that the State could have presented its case more effectively and that some significant mistakes were made by investigators. But that, in my opinion, did not negate all of the circumstantial evidence taken as a whole. Even before the Google map evidence was revealed, I felt there could have been enough CE for a conviction. Like many here, I would have liked to have heard more from both sides about the computer evidence, but in the end I was convinced that a tampering scenario was just too far-fetched and difficult to pull off compared to other manipulations such as planting evidence.

In the end, I do believe the right person has been convicted of NC's murder, and I am very relieved that a guilty man did not go free. I hope NC's family can now find some peace. My heart also goes out to Brad's parents, who I know will have a difficult emotional road ahead of them. And I do hope investigators (on this case and elsewhere) will learn some valuable lessons in pursuing cases which, over time, may increasingly hinge on electronic evidence.

Though I've not been able to participate much, I have read most of the threads in this forum, and I've really enjoyed all the intelligent, well-reasoned discussion and debate. Agree or disagree, I respect all of your opinions, and I truly appreciate all of the helpful information and insights I've gleaned from so many of your posts here. At some level, I feel like I've gotten to know many of you, and I'll definitely miss checking in on y'all from day to day!

Take care, and happy sleuthing! :seeya: