trial day 32: the defense continues its case in chief #93

[LambChop]

One of the reasons that I find this trial so fascinating is that I have have a family member that exhibits behavior similar to JA. Said person is a sociopath and and has borderline personality disorder. She is incapable of love or empathy.She gave away her infant son with not so much as a backward glance.
Her situation is different in that she is a druggie, to boot. So far, she has not killed anyone, but I seriously imagine her to be capable of it in the right (wrong) circumstances.
I watch JM questioning JA and recognize the same pattern. My family member will NOT answer a question straight, lies when the truth is a better story and conveys that she feels she is truly is the center of the world. Like JA, she is a chameleon, taking on the traits of others as it suits her.
Chilling. I am glad she lives across the country from me... Ironically, she lives in Arizona and is a Mormon.

Don't feel bad. They are everywhere. Everyone knows someone with those traits to a degree one way or another. She did right by giving up her son as he would have only suffered under her care. I have a niece, too, fits the same description, nothing helps. Be grateful she does not live near you for she would drain you. Thankfully they are not all killers. jmo

 

[Ricki]

Just like Jodi tried fit her story to the evidence, "Ahemmm" Samuels tried to fit his explanations of PTSD and fogneisia with Jodi's story. I bet he is having some regrets now. I don't know if his pay would be worth any reputation he might have had.

 

[rose222]

Also, which psychologist sends 'Erroneous Zones' to a suicidal patient?? I mean it's not a book for someone who wants to kill herself! It's an ordinary self-help book!

Another thing is it's not a book that one gives to a person who even in self-defense has stabbed an ex-boyfriend 28 times, slit his throat from ear to ear and also shot him. A person who is capable of doing that does not need to learn to be more assertive! Perhaps a zen mind book is more appropriate!

Arias has ruined so many things including most recently Dido and Wayne Dyer.

 

[DebinGA]

I was abruptly called away yesterday just as JM began his cross of Samuels. It was around p. 38 of the previous thread, and when I finally returned court was over and the thread was at p. 90 and closing. Since the video wasn't available yet, I just started where I'd left off at p. 38 and read to the end. What a revelation! Believe it or not, reading the commentary here was even better than watching it. I can't remember when I've laughed so much. I'm not talking an occasional chuckle, I'm talking laughing out loud repeatedly, on every page, throughout. It took a long time to reach p. 90, but I was very sorry to see it end. If I could make myself not watch today and read today's thread tonight, I would... but, of course, I can't.

 

[gcharlie]

Yuck, they are so gross. I can't figure out why they are so happy - they seem like they think everything is going just fine!

And I hate the way JW waves goodbye to JA. It's like they are leaving Starbucks (after getting strawberry fraps!), not like they are at a trial where her actual life is on the line.

This was not JA leaving the courtroom after testimony on March 18; I think it was Wednesday, March 13 when Dr. Samuels began his testimony. At that point, the defense was probably feeling comfortable with their witness.

Given how the good doc was eviscerated today, I can't imagine smiles from JW at the end of the day.

 

[Marina2]

Did anyone notice if we saw all the answers on the yellow legal pad paper? I'm thinking not and I'm realizing WHY JM immediately took it and put it into evidence: he snatched away the good Dr.'s crib notes! If JM thinks there is no real answer sheet, that he scored this strictly from the legal pad, Dr. Samuels had a hard time last night entering all the right answers without his "transfer materials."

Oh, goodness! JM is light years ahead of these people! :rocker:

I can't wait to see if the Dr. brings this answer sheet today.

 

[ISeeSociopaths]

I don't think its down to money alone. I personally (especially after today) think its pretty likely the Doc is narcissistic. It would go a long way in explaining why he seems to feel such an affinity for Jodi. Birds of a feather and all that.

If he is it makes sense he's an expert defense witness for hire. It would appeal to his ego and make him feel uber important (despite his lack of education, peer reviewed articles, teaching stints, etc in addition to his questionable ethics). A nationally televised trial, in which he could look important and knowledgeable, would be like honey to the Pooh Bear of narcissists. Irresistible.

Some narcissism is a good and even healthy thing...but too much of it leaves us with doctors believing they are superior to codes of ethics, should presume a diagnosis based mainly around what benefits them, and are seemingly immune to what would be requested of any expert - like validating their diagnosis or having their notes in court.

I thought the same thing after yesterday's testimony- He hasn't a clue what he's talking about- reads directly from DVM- which he should know by heart- doesn't remember the test names and forgets important evidence to prove his evaluation- Yet he comes off as extremely smug and arrogant-he thought he was doing great-(like JA)
The following are my initial notes after watching most of yesterdays cross and recross:
ok- I think juan mart. was brilliant-
he tore apart his whole testimony-
First,her ptsd test taken when she was telling intruder lie- her answers were based on lies- hence his diagnosis irrelevant-
then his notes were based on her lies- of what then was disproven by the actual sex pictures-
how did they think they could pull one over on juan?
Even with samuels missing so many pieces of his testing-booklets- to help explain things- Juan could still show this was so much ********- and a true waste of everyone's time- Explaining how the brain works under pressure...and how someone feels when a gun is pointed at them(travis).
And it also looks like the guy fudged her tests by filling them out for her- she simply did a worksheet- on yellow paper- or did he do it? He didn't seem to remember?? So, maybe he filled the tests out for her- simply based on speaking to her- it's kinda what it sounded like.
It doesn't even matter that he can't practice in NJ- for unethical behavior- he is a narsicist! He should have realized how dishonest his testimony was but his assurances and help to get this defendant off were clearly a major fumble- And it looked like, Samuels-like Jodi- thinks he was doing a good job up there- cannot wait for their next expert!!
And Juan is not even done with him!!!(Juan, is thinking tonight, "This is just too easy")

 

[Softail]

Also, which psychologist sends 'Erroneous Zones' to a suicidal patient?? I mean it's not a book for someone who wants to kill herself! It's an ordinary self-help book!

Another thing is it's not a book that one gives to a person who even in self-defense has stabbed an ex-boyfriend 28 times, slit his throat from ear to ear and also shot him. A person who is capable of doing that does not need to learn to be more assertive! Perhaps a zen mind book is more appropriate!

Arias has ruined so many things including most recently Dido and Wayne Dyer.

Not only that, but I am just thoroughly creeped out that he "liked" her. He seemed creepy enough before JM started questioning him about liking her. The whole situation just oozes icky and creepy! It is almost as if he was taken in by her, and got some kind of weird pleasure from her pictures. uke:

 

[Softail]

I can't wait to see if the Dr. brings this answer sheet today.

:lol: I can't wait to see if the Dr. shows up today!

 

[R.U.Kidding!]

Hi Neesaki,

I get what your saying about Dr.Samuels, It's like watching someone drone on in a speech you know everyone else is laughing at. I am always uncomfortable no matter what a jerk the person is, it is actually uncomfortable for me to watch someone ripped to shreds--that's just me.

Even in this case I hate to watch how many side bars there are, and how this judge handles determining admitting certain evidence--she could have saved us a lot of time if she listened to, what I am sure Juans argument was for, not allowing this mess of information to be admitted.

At least it makes JW look like an idiot for arguing so hard to have this guy for the defense. I really do not like that little munckin!

 

[carrie]

Thank you, I appreciate the link as I missed part of the trial today.

Watching the first few minutes here, I have to say again that I feel bad for the expert witness. He seems like a rather kind man and actually somewhat naive, at least when it comes to the 'Jody's' of the world, imo. Maybe he has some kind of a father complex, some projection going on perhaps? I thought also that he had testified as an expert witness before, so how could he not know what he would be getting into ? :waitasec:

I felt somewhat sorry for him too. He did seem naive and somewhat taken in by Jodi. Which maybe is an indication of how good she is at decieving people--- What I dont understand is why the DT wouldnt have caught this. They should have been expecting Juan to do exactly what he did yesterday. Why didnt they have the test readministered??!!

He testified earlier that it would be hard to lie or deceive on this test unless one was very familiar with PTSD? After hearing some of the questions and answers I completely disagree. Just claiming a traumatic event occurred seems to be half the test. Unbelievable how the DT dropped the ball on this.

Also unbelievable how a seemingly experienced an seasoned expert witness wouldnt have expected this.

Go JUAN !! :thumbup::thumbup:
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[Stolat]

OMG!!!! I has to miss the JM cross and sounds like I missed one of the best parts!!!

I'll wager Dr Love has seen his last days as a high paid forensic witness in AZ. His rep is demolished.

Hmmm...Florida must loo nice to him right now. Honey...pack up the bags

 

[Southern_Meadow]

BBM

Did JA really tell the DV expert that? If so, that really is the final straw. Maybe we could just move right along to closing arguments then!

I'm pretty sure JM has proof that she did, but JA says she didn't, of course.

 

[raisincharlie]

One thing that came out yesterday compliments of Doc Samuels was that Jodi told him the rope was used for hands and feet and that the rope was cut off, not that she simply slipped out of it. The point of interest is that if true, a big if, it clearly places the knife in the bedroom and takes it out of the bathroom.

 

[scorpio24]

I can't wait to see if the Dr. brings this answer sheet today.

He'll have to bring SOMETHING. He'd better hope EVERY answer matches. If it doesn't and the scoring sheet matches the yellow legal pad instead...Oh, boy... :facepalm:

Me? I would have hopped a plane to a foggy country last night...

 

[Litigatrix]

I agree with some of the posters who are saying they felt sorry for Samuels...I encounter people like him everyday in the professional world, who believe themselves to be more capable than they are, and get in way over their heads. I think he genuinely believed her...I got "hired gun" from him, but I also got "doesn't know his elbow from his <I'll do my own mod-snip here:lipssealed:>. Anyone who thinks professionals look to Time magazine for guidance has to be horribly inept..but also very clueless.

This is about justice but also some measure of entertainment to us and to the rabid HLN viewing public...But for him it is real life and reputation. I think that he will be genuinely affected by this.

JA appears to have been able to destroy yet another life. She's a one woman wrecking ball.

I am saving all of my disdain for the domestic violence expert, and the Mitigator that has her who-ha's on display everyday.

 

[carrie]

I feel bad for Samuels. I think that he was in over his head before he started. I think that he was taken with Jodi in a "man she is so sad kind of way."
I think he thought he was helping her.

But I think he was unprepared by his defense team. I think that lies completely on their shoulders not his. I think the used this man because they could not get another to say that Jodi had any mental issues..

He should not have been used in this case. It is not his specialty and he comes off, sadly , as not expert enough to be up there.

I do feel bad for him because it must be embarrassing what he is going through right now.

Exactly my thoughts. Why would they put this guy up there? They look even worse for all the arguing to get him on the stand and about what he could say. Juan was doing them a favor by trying to just him up. They made JodI look even worse (if that's possible) by letting Juan bring all this out. Unbelievable!!!

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[carrie]

OMG!!!! I has to miss the JM cross and sounds like I missed one of the best parts!!!

I'll wager Dr Love has seen his last days as a high paid forensic witness in AZ. His rep is demolished.

Hmmm...Florida must loo nice to him right now. Honey...pack up the bags

You can get it all on you tube. Thats what I have to do.

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[Marina2]

The first question the defense should ask him on redirect is:

Dr. Samuels, what is your definition of "favorable outcome"?

 

[gcharlie]

And Juan is not even done with him!!!(Juan, is thinking tonight, "This is just too easy")

I have to say that my jaw dropped yesterday watching things unfold with JM on cross. It was far too easy...my notes read OMG!!!...quality of expert work

This is now the third time I'm aware of that the defense had documents in their possession that they did not thoroughly review...the coded magazines, the bank statement with three gas purchases and now this PDS test. Even if KN and JW did not understand the implications of the test date and PTSD diagnosis, something like this would be in the area of expertise of the Mitigation Specialist, who should have brought it to the attention of the attorneys.

I really do not know what the defense team was/is thinking in their preparation. Given the quality we've seen so far, I expect Ms. LaViolette will be on par with their other witnesses.

TA's family must be feeling more optimistic now. May they find some peace and let justice be served.