TRIAL - Ross Harris #1

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This morning's overview:

Cooper Harris would have normally been at his daycare facility when he left Chick-fil-A with his father at 8:55 a.m. on June 18, 2014. Coopers’s teacher at the Little Apron Academy, Keyatta Patrick, testified Thursday that the 22-month-old was usually dropped off between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. Whenever he was late, she said, Coooper’s father, Ross Harris, would call by 8:40 a.m. But on June 18th, the academy never received a call from Harris. At 9 a.m., he backed into a parking space at Home Depot’s Treehouse office, grabbed his briefcase and reported to work, Cooper locked inside.

Patrick testified that Harris used to snap photographs of his son every day after dropping him off at Little Apron. He stopped taking them two weeks before Cooper’s death, which Patrick said she found odd. So she asked Harris, who told her it was due to Cooper “getting older.”

Patrick and another of Cooper’s teachers, Azure Hawkins, said Harris routinely stopped by Chick-fil-A with his son. Sometimes, by request, he’d bring breakfast for the instructors.

Little Apron director Melony Gibson testified that Harris was actively involved in his son’s life, often volunteering to participate in academy functions. Once, he even dressed up like the Home Depot drill.

Cooper, said Gibson, was “an affable child, calm nature, a normal, soon-to-be 2-year-old.”

Like his dad, he was a talker, Gibson said.

“We definitely knew when Ross was in the building,” she said.

http://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-ne...m-routine-scrutinized/mVHkvpYFZhsWES4L7mDtWN/
 
defense%20with%20photo_20161013142620567_6339061_ver1.0_640_360.jpg


The defense shows a photo of Ross Harris dressed up with his son. Day care workers say Harris was "very present" and stopped by the day care often.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/ross-harr...scribe-harris-as-loving-engaged-dad/456755803
 
How would anyone know that? Imo that question was incredibly insulting, part of an overly aggressive interrogation of that poor teacher, and an neon flashing indication of the State's premature conclusions about RH's guilt.

Why wouldn't they speak and interview her aggressively? There was a 6 minute call to her workplace at the exact moment Ross found his son was dead. Why wouldn't the detectives wonder if there was something going on there? They would be negligent if they didn't interview her and push her hard to make sure she was being truthful.

You start by assuming EVERYONE is guilty when a child is found dead. Then you clear THEM ONE BY ONE.
 
I'm repeating myself once again, :blushing: Ross had a double life going so I think he was able to act as a loving father in his "real" life. I also think he was longing for his other life more than the real one. Hope that makes sense :blushing:

I agree. I have no doubt JRH loved Cooper, he just loved the idea of being free even more.

I am having a hard time finding any credibility with Kilgore implying that JRH was any more involved in his child's life than any other parent. There's many moms and dads who check up on their kids, dress up for Halloween, and attend holiday events at their children's schools. When Kilgore kept asking the day care workers whether JRH was more involved than other fathers, I just shook my head. What century does this guy think we're living in? Does he truly think JRH is exceptional because he co-parents his own child? Does he think we're all going to fall to our knees and sing Hallelujah because JRH acknowledged his son's existence, or because he chose to take time out of his busy day to actually raise his own offspring?

I can't help but rant a little because it's just so insulting. :facepalm:
 
Why wouldn't they speak and interview her aggressively? There was a 6 minute call to her workplace at the exact moment Ross found his son was dead. Why wouldn't the detectives wonder if there was something going on there? They would be negligent if they didn't interview her and push her hard to make sure she was being truthful.

You start by assuming EVERYONE is guilty when a child is found dead. Then you clear THEM ONE BY ONE.


Don't agree at all that LE should immediately assume the guilt of anyone, and imo their immediate assumption of RH's guilt is precisely what they did wrong, which led to a number of "irregularities" in how they investigated, interviewed witnesses, made reports, represented their case for probable cause, and prepped witnesses for trial.

As for poor Ms. Gray. Sure, question her aggressively, but not cross the line into bullying her, which imo Stoddard did.
 
I agree. The whole team is a pleasure to watch in action, but especially Kilgore. He's especially good with witness handling, imo. These are State witnesses he's crossing, but without knowing that, I could easily infer by his mannerisms and his even, unchallenging tone of voice that these witnesses were his own.

(I have a feeling witness Gray left today feeling like Kilgore really listened to her, and felt her pain. Kilgore's that good).

And their trial preparation? Absolutely impressive.


I'm also very much enjoying a trial that isn't interrupted every few minutes by demands for a sidebar that are always granted, and in which opposing counsel treat one another with respect and courtesy. ;)

If nothing else, southerners are polite and respectful. Reflects how we are raised (said with pride)
 
Had to be out for a while this morning but read posts re: today's proceedings. I followed this case in the beginning but lost interest when CNN and HLN stopped talking about it. The regulars here know so much about details in the case; I appreciate your expertise. Hoping that Ashley Banfield will begin to discuss high-profile cases instead of politics when she takes over NG's stint on HLN later this month.
 
About car seat and related testimony yesterday, which I still find confusing.

My understanding is: media reports about the car seat were wildly inaccurate.

* The straps were not set at the lowest, infant level, but on the second level.

* There was nothing necessarily inappropriate about Cooper being placed in a rear facing car seat, and in fact, that type of car seat is actually strongly recommended for children at least up to the age of 2, and even beyond, as long as the child does not exceed the seat 's specific weight or height measure measurements.

* Cooper's weight was within the recommended allowance.

* Cooper's height was within the recommended allowance.

* The State's July photos of the car seat's placement in RH's car were misleading, because they reflect a 4" difference in angle due to LE readjusting the seat 's base, for reasons unclear to me.

* Stoddard appears to have taken photos of RH's car independent of the official photos taken pursuant to a search warrant, and we have no explanation why that might be.

Is this an accurate account?
 
I went back to our discussions during the hearings and there was something up with Michelle:

...I found that very interesting, when they called Michelle's name, RH started very actively looking behind him and around. I know I didn't dream this lol
http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...led-to-talk-to-anyone&p=10705364#post10705364

I was sure it was a Michelle [that was called as a witness] and RH seemed very agitated.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...ne&p=10705513&highlight=michelle#post10705513

I found the discussion of the 6 minute phone call to be especially interesting. While watching Justin during the hearing when they ask the detective if they have spoken to the person at the daycare who he was talking to and the detective says "not yet", Justin throws his head back a bit and seems to be relieved by that revelation.
I think this link should pop you in at the exact spot but if not, the question begins at 1:11:14.
[video=youtube;I9u--A2TwZg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9u--A2TwZg[/video]

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...led-to-talk-to-anyone&p=10705408#post10705408

Oh goodness, I DID see that. He was so relieved and shocked. I want to know what that call was about!!!

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...led-to-talk-to-anyone&p=10705424#post10705424
 
Reply doesn't work . Wasn't that person's name Melissa, not Michelle?
 
Michelle Gray - MG - daycare worker who just testified.
Melissa Sellers - MS - was supposed to testify at the PC hearing but was unable to do so due to medical emergency. [I do not remember if we were ever told what she was to testify to or how she factors into the case]
 
Don't agree at all that LE should immediately assume the guilt of anyone, and imo their immediate assumption of RH's guilt is precisely what they did wrong, which led to a number of "irregularities" in how they investigated, interviewed witnesses, made reports, represented their case for probable cause, and prepped witnesses for trial.

As for poor Ms. Gray. Sure, question her aggressively, but not cross the line into bullying her, which imo Stoddard did.

If he thought she was lying, I do think he should have been aggressive. W don't really know at the point why he chose to interview in this way. I'm interested to see his questioning regrading this interview.

**This is 100% JMO, but I think they suspect he was having an affair with someone at the daycare.
 
About car seat and related testimony yesterday, which I still find confusing.

My understanding is: media reports about the car seat were wildly inaccurate.

* The straps were not set at the lowest, infant level, but on the second level.

* There was nothing necessarily inappropriate about Cooper being placed in a rear facing car seat, and in fact, that type of car seat is actually strongly recommended for children at least up to the age of 2, and even beyond, as long as the child does not exceed the seat 's specific weight or height measure measurements.

* Cooper's weight was within the recommended allowance.

* Cooper's height was within the recommended allowance.

* The State's July photos of the car seat's placement in RH's car were misleading, because they reflect a 4" difference in angle due to LE readjusting the seat 's base, for reasons unclear to me.

* Stoddard appears to have taken photos of RH's car independent of the official photos taken pursuant to a search warrant, and we have no explanation why that might be.

Is this an accurate account?

How tall was Cooper? To safely use his particular car seat, the child must meet ALL these requirements. (Taken from the manual at the manufacturer website)

-Between 4 and 30 pounds
-Height less than 30 inches
-And top of head is at least 1 inch below top of seat back
 
If he thought she was lying, I do think he should have been aggressive. W don't really know at the point why he chose to interview in this way. I'm interested to see his questioning regrading this interview.

**This is 100% JMO, but I think they suspect he was having an affair with someone at the daycare.


When was Ms. Gray interrogated by Stoddard? Was it before or after LE had examined RH's computers and phone?

Suspicions about RH having an affair with someone at LA daycare would be more reasonable before checking his texts and emails, imo, and pretty ridiculous afterwards.

JH didn't bother to delete his sex related texts, including with a minor, didn't bother to delete his online exchanges with allegedly multitudes of women, and didn't bother to deep 6 his "research" into hot car deaths and life behind prison bars.

Doesn't pass the smell test he would make the effort to delete phone or computer exchanges with any woman he was having an affair with, and I'm willing to bet we would have heard by now about any affair LE even suspected he was having. jmo
 
Did we (ok, not us, but LE) account for all of the women RH texted with? I recall there were women coming out of the woodwork. I don't recall how many women there were and am wondering (MOO!) if MG was one of them.
 
When was Ms. Gray interrogated by Stoddard? Was it before or after LE had examined RH's computers and phone?

Suspicions about RH having an affair with someone at LA daycare would be more reasonable before checking his texts and emails, imo, and pretty ridiculous afterwards.

JH didn't bother to delete his sex related texts, including with a minor, didn't bother to delete his online exchanges with allegedly multitudes of women, and didn't bother to deep 6 his "research" into hot car deaths and life behind prison bars.

Doesn't pass the smell test he would make the effort to delete phone or computer exchanges with any woman he was having an affair with, and I'm willing to bet we would have heard by now about any affair LE even suspected he was having. jmo

I have no idea. That's why his questioning will be very interesting.

From what I remember at the hearing, they were still examining all of his electronics. Even at that point, I don't believe they knew the scope of his behavior. (Please correct me if I'm wrong!) I'm not excusing or defending anyone here. Since we don't yet know why he chose to interview her like this, I have no formed opinion about her treatment. I was just saying IF they thought she was hiding something or lying, an aggressive interview would be reasonable IMO. We'll have to see his questioning to know if that's the case.
 
per the ME report

length crown to heel - 33 inches
weight - 21lbs 5.4 ozs

https://www.karasoncrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Medical-Examiners-Report-Cooper-Harris.pdf

page 6 of 20


Cooper, "rump to crown"-- 14"

Cooper, "rump to heel" -- 17.5"

LE measurement of carseat (per testimony),
rump to (inside) top of the carseat -- 19"

Translated, Cooper exceeded the manufacturer's heigth limit by 3", but his heigth was largely in his legs, and his torso and head actually would have been below that one inch below top of seat specification, and most importantly, his head would NOT have "necessarily" been visible from the front seat.

Not unimportant-- toting a child around in a car seat where his head is 3" over the top of the seat would be egregiously negligent.

Toting a child around in one car with a completely appropriate seat and in a second car with a seat that a child is on paper too large for, but in reality still "fits," not anywhere near so clear cut . The weight limit is black and white, a pound on one child is the same pound on another- the height limit less so, given differing torso measurements. In any case, Cooper had just finished or was still in a major growth spurt, so perhaps even that 3" too tall was a fairly recent thing.
 
Shortly after discovering Cooper's body, Ross apparently made a 6-minute phone call to The Home Depot HQ. The phone records show that Ross's phone call was routed to Cooper's room. However, nobody at Little Aprons has claimed that (s)he talked to Ross. There is not a record that any message was left for the daycare, and on top of that, the phone system is not designed to handle a six minute message. Additionally, witnesses on the scene testified that Ross was talking to someone. This is not adding up. Does anyone have any theories on this call?

ETA - When things don't add up, there is always a reason. We are missing a piece of information that makes everything fall into place. What is it?
 
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