GUILTY TX - Haruka Weiser, 18, found murdered, UT-Austin campus, 3 April 2016 *Arrest*

[YESorNO]

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 55m55 minutes ago
More and more jurors are now saying that, because they don't have adequate experience or knowledge about the law, they are uncomfortable serving on a jury The judge says to them "I don't expect you to know criminal law. My job is to tell you about the law (during the trial)."


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 52m52 minutes ago
Here are the sentencing guidelines for lesser offenses. If the jury does not convict the defendant of capital murder, there is a chance they will consider a verdict on one of these “lesser crimes.” If they consider these crimes, they will also decide on the sentencing.

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[dotr]

Thanks YESorNO for posting all the updates!

 

[YESorNO]

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 46m46 minutes ago
Since the jury is REQUIRED to consider the entire punishment range, from probation to life, the prosecution is now asking jurors if they could consider probation for an aggravated sexual assault conviction. Multiple jurors are saying they could not.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 39m39 minutes ago
Now they're discussing circumstantial vs direct evidence. The prosecution just asked the jury pool if they could reach a verdict solely based on circumstantial evidence. While the law says they both carry the same weight, that isn't the case for some of the jury pool members.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 33m33 minutes ago
Correction: This tweet should say fair and *IMPARTIAL.

----Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 1h1 hour ago
One juror just said he was excited to serve on a jury because he believes people of color don't get a fair shot in the court system. But he said, because of his knowledge of things like jury nullification, he now believes he could not be a fair and partial juror.



Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 25m25 minutes ago
The prosecutor is saying "80 percent" of murder cases are proved with circumstantial evidence, because he says there are not usually video, witness statements or confessions for cases like these



Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 10m10 minutes ago
We're taking a 15 minute recess before the defense is going to (quickly) ask the jury some more questions about the thoughts about aspects of the case. After that, it is expected that the remaining jurors will be selected.
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[YESorNO]

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 7m7 minutes ago
The defense attorney, Ariel Payan, has begun discussing the selection process and urging members of the pool to speak their opinions. He also says the trial will be likely be going past 6PM for the next two weeks.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 28m28 minutes ago
Payan is mainly discussing things like what reasonable doubt means, the concept of "innocent until proven guilty," the right to remain silent, etc. Not a lot of input from the jury about these concepts yet.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 24m24 minutes ago
Four members of the jury just said that if Criner chose not to testify, it would have an effect on their verdict. Juries are required not to consider whether a defendant decides to testify or not during trial.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 17m17 minutes ago
15 members of the jury pool just said that either they, or a close family member or friend, has either been a victim of a violent crime. Three of those people say that their experience with the violent crime would have influence how they feel about the case.
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Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 33m33 minutes ago
Now a few jurors are saying that they may potentially feel uncomfortable with seeing violent photos during the trial.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 19m19 minutes ago
Four jurors just said they are uncomfortable serving on the jury since they do not decide the punishment.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 15m15 minutes ago
This was asked a lot earlier yesterday, but they just asked today which of the prospective jurors know each other.

The husband of one of the prospective jurors knows another one of the prospective jurors. Also, two of the jurors used to work with each other ten years ago.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 13m13 minutes ago
Around 15 people say they have requests for excuses. The judge will hear them now.
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[YESorNO]

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 20m20 minutes ago
The judge is calling people up now to hear their excuses or to dismiss them. About 10 people have already been excused with multiple dismissals coming soon, mainly because of personal reasons and their views on the different types of punishment imposed in the case.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 12m12 minutes ago
Seven more people were just excused.
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Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 2m2 minutes ago
The judge just finished the final round of dismissals. The attorneys will now have 15 minutes to talk amongst themselves who left in the pool they want to strike, and then the pool will come in for the final decision of who will be on the jury.
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Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 18m18 minutes ago
They have officially finished selecting the jury. One woman and two men were chosen as the remaining three jurors while one women and one man were also chosen as the two alternates for the trial.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 17m17 minutes ago
Including the people chosen yesterday, the jury for the rest of the trial will include seven men and five women. There will be one female and one male alternate
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[YESorNO]

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 12m12 minutes ago
Jury will be sworn in tomorrow at 10AM and the eight day long trial will officially begin on Wednesday. The rest of the trial dates will start at 9AM and go until about 6PM.
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catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 22m22 minutes ago
Good morning! It’s day 1 of the trial for Meechaiel Criner, the man indicted on capital murder in connection with the 2016 death of dance freshman Harkua Weiser. Jury will be sworn in at 10 AM, & opening statements begin after. I’ll be covering the trial through lunch today.


Austin Statesman‏Verified account @statesman 32m32 minutes ago
TODAY: Lawyers in Meechaiel Criner trial to lay out cases in UT student Haruka Weiser's death https://atxne.ws/2uvIRDR

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[YESorNO]

Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 19m19 minutes ago
A third panel of 80 potential jurors was called in this morning, judge tells them they can all go home, a jury was selected last evening. The jury is 12 people and two alternates


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 13m13 minutes ago
Judge hopes to have the jury seated and finalize jury instructions within 20 minutes


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 12m12 minutes ago
A reminder from the judge: this is a capital murder trial but the death penalty is NOT on the table. That’s because Criner was 17 at the time Haruka Weiser was killed.
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 7m7 minutes ago
Criner has entered the courtroom. Courtroom is already packed. Many interested attorneys, former UT students, journalists, and legal interns in here


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 2m2 minutes ago
The jury has now entered the courtroom. They’ve been sworn in
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
Criner is charged with intentionally causing the death of Haruka Weiser by strangulation and of committing or attempting to commit robbery or sexual assault in the process. Criner pleads not guilty to these charges


Fred Cantu‏Verified account @fredcantu 15m15 minutes ago
“I PLEAD NOT GUILTY, YOUR HONOR.” Trial of Meechaiel Criner in 2016 death of UT student Haruka Weiser gets underway.


catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 8m8 minutes ago
The jury has been sworn in, and Judge David Wahlberg is reading instructions to the jurors. Instructions include definitions of criminal offenses, rules for conduct during the trial and things to consider during delibertaions. Opening statements should begin soon.
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[YESorNO]

catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 1m1 minute ago
Prosecutor Guillermo Gonzalez giving the state's opening statements. Focusing on the "distinctiveness" of evidence that will be presented in the trial - Haruka's belongings, the bike that was seen on surveillance video - which he says connects Criner to the crime.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 2m2 minutes ago
The state has begun opening statements. Paints a picture of Haruka Weiser waking home on the evening of 4/3/2016 after a day of working as a stagehand on a dance production. But she never made it home that night.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 3m3 minutes ago
We’re told we’ll hear from both Haruka’s roommate and the medical examiner who did her autopsy during this trial


catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 6m6 minutes ago
Gonzalez said Haruka was found on the west bank of the Waller Creek with injuries to her face. A few feet away, police found other evidence, like eyeglasses and a hammer.
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catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 6m6 minutes ago
Gonzalez said police found a calculator, a pencil bag with Haruka's name on it and a book that her parents had given her in Criner's possession.


catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 1m1 minute ago
Gonzalez said glasses found at the crime scene had the same prescription and consistent style and make as glasses Criner owned. That's it for the state's opening statements, the defense is up now.
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 37m37 minutes ago
The state also tells us that days before Haruka was killed, officers believe Criner was found in a storage unit on the UT campus storing possessions there & told to leave by staff. Photos of that storage unit show nylon straps there similar to the one Weiser was strangled with



Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 27m27 minutes ago
The state painted a picture of Haruka: a dancer and aspiring medical student at UT who was waking home from a dance production she was working at on 4/3/2016 and never heard from again


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 26m26 minutes ago
The state discusses surveillance video, possessions found in the UT Medical Arts building, and evidence at the scene and evidence found near by they believe point to Criner being guilty of Haruka’s murder


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 31m31 minutes ago
The state has just finished it’s opening statements in the Meechaiel Criner trial. Now the defense is beginning openings statements. I’ve been taking notes, will keep tweeting them @KXAN_News


catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 40m40 minutes ago
Short opening statements by the defense. Criner's foster care situation is discussed - he lived in foster care in Killeen before running away in March 2016. Defense said evidence will show Criner was not present when Haruka was killed.
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 27m27 minutes ago
Haruka’s father Thomas Weiser is being called forth as a witness now @KXAN_News


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 25m25 minutes ago
Thomas lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife. Besides Haruka, they have another daughter and a son


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 25m25 minutes ago
Thomas explains that his wife and daughter will not be attending the trial, they are visiting family in Japan


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 21m21 minutes ago
He describes Haruka as a smart and responsible daughter. She was a talented dancer who started dancing in her family’s living room and continued pursuing dance throughout high school


catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 33m33 minutes ago
Gonzalez is showing photos of Haruka. Her father is telling the jury about his daughter. She is the couple's first born and excelled in dance despite not having formal training when she was young. She was born on June 20, 1997.
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Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 19m19 minutes ago
Haruka went to UT after being recruited on a dance scholarship. Father encouraged her to double major


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 16m16 minutes ago
Haruka showed her father the path she took to get from the dance department to her dorm when he came to visit her. Her dad talked to her about the path and told her the thought it seemed unsafe to walk at nighttime


catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 28m28 minutes ago
Haruka's father describes a visit he took to Austin to see his daughter in October 2015. Haruka showed him around campus, including the shortcut she took from the dance building to her dorm. Thomas said he can remember telling Haruka that the pathway seemed unsafe.



Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 6m6 minutes ago
State brings up book “All the Light We Cannot See.” Haruka’s father said he gave it to her & it has distinctive coffee stains. In opening statements, the state said that Haruka had a favorite book with her 4/3/2016 and that the book was given to her by her parents


catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 21m21 minutes ago
Gonzalez is showing the jury the book that was in Criner's possession - Haruka's parents had given it to her. It's called "All the Light We Cannot See." Thomas said he knows it's Haruka's because of a coffee stain on the pages.



Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 2m2 minutes ago
Thomas said he learned Haruka was missing from a neighbor who’d been contacted by UT. He said somehow UT didn’t have his or his wife’s informations as emergency contacts. He later noticed a Facebook message from Haruka’s roommate also trying to alert him @KXAN_News
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[YESorNO]

catherine marfin‏ @catherinemarfin 12m12 minutes ago
That’s it for now - we have a lunch break until 1 p.m


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 10m10 minutes ago
Here’s a quick recap of what happened this morning:

The 12-person jury was sworn in.

The prosecution and defense gave their opening statements.

Thomas Weiser, Haruka Weiser’s father, was the first witness to testify.
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[YESorNO]

Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 5m5 minutes ago
Back from lunch, the defense filed motion to suppress evidence. Saying a search warrant on 3/8/2016 for the UT Medical Arts building reflects a wrong date. Judge says it’s a clerical error, judge agrees to suppress one part of that evidence: a notebook with Criner’s writing

Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 3m3 minutes ago
Before the jury comes back, the defense just filed a motion to suppress a significant amount of evidence. Here are the five parts of the motion and the judge's ruling on them:


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 41s41 seconds ago
1st - Motion to suppress items found at Lifeworks, the shelter Criner was taken to because of misdated search warrant. Denied because warrant date was a clerical error

2nd - Motion to suppress items found at abandoned building because of alleged "illegal search." Denied.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 4m4 minutes ago
3rd - Motion to suppress writings of the accused. Granted. Anything written by Criner will NOT be introduced during the trial.

4th - Motion to suppress red and yellow notebooks found during a search. Granted, because prosecution didn't plan to introduce them.


Alyssa Goard‏ @AlyssaMGoard 3m3 minutes ago
A red notebook and a yellow notebook with writing in them have both been suppressed now


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 6m6 minutes ago
5th - Motion to suppress items found in a grey and yellow backpack. Ruling withheld until the prosecution decides whether or not they plan to use them.

The jury is back. The prosecution has called Andrea Buong, a senior dance and urban studies major at UT Austin, to the stand.


Megan Menchaca‏ @meganmenchaca13 4m4 minutes ago
Correction: Andrea Duong, not Andrea Buong.
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