One more twist in this case! ( :thinking: olive jar)
JMHO I think it was his best choice to have the Judge decide. Some of the evidence and testimony the Jury would hear would be about a case (s) that he is charged with and and not found guilty of yet and could very well hinder those cases too (not sure if he has been to court on the stolen phone or what end results was on that). On the other case he is to go to trial on in December, all the testimony would be tweeted out and then after the Jury was done could speak to the media. Any potential jury for the December case that hadn't heard or read (or formed an opinion) about would be hard to find. The media and social media has been saturated for last 3 weeks, for the trial. Now the events this week and after the sentencing. Then between Friday and December up til jury selected will be more coverage and all the details will be avail to research online if they missed any. Ability to research whatever will be presented in the December case too.
Which is another reason, jmho that the Judge doing the sentencing is better. I would hope the jury would not listen, read, research, talk about and or whatever about the case. But they have been out of court since what? Last Wednesday? As bad as I want to believe they each and everyone of them did as ordered, it is human nature and I just don't believe it happened. Also they have had the same amount of time to think about the case and form other opinions. The Judge already knows the case from the get go. From reading an article iirc DietDrPepper posted, a local attorney said that due to the 17 hour delib that the jury tend to give a long sentence. 40 years was the average iirc. The case is going to be appealed, and EA knows he is going to prison, so this is smartest route jmho.
I am not sure how much and what the Judge will hear in the rest of the case. But I am also reminded by reading the statute that (d) is still in play. Also makes me think about the State and Def attorneys going to other rooms to talk yesterday morning. The State calling the Family up my have only been letting them know that the Judge was at Dr and so forth. One could only hope it was for some other reason. Possible another twist will come about and today being Tuesday, gives until then to investigate (it that option is being thought about). Also gives the Judge time to get well. *all witnesses are still under order not to speak until released by court to media or anyone else. Jury is free to now. JMHO.
Who knows what Friday will bring except that EA is going to be sentenced to prison. And that Ea will file an Appeal. That pretty much a given with a guilty verdict. JMHO