2011.06.21 TRIAL Day Twenty-four (Morning Session)

[mysticrose]

This is ridiculous !

 

[21merc7]

Our first sidebar of the day.

Why does DT keep trying to sneak in info while questioning witnesses, it is obvious to us, so must be to the jury too

 

[Boytwnmom]

is there a single defense witness that has a plausibly believable conclusion to testify to? Methinks no....

two weeks? with six months of roots and stuff that had grown up thru her little bones and the bags and everything? really.

 

[The Farm]

I feel like I am in the Twilight Zone.

 

[Linda7NJ]

two weeks goes against ALL of their other witnesses testimony! except Spitz & his someone took the skull applied tape and put it back.

 

[scotslass]

TWO WEEKS????????? The body was only there for TWO weeks? What about the root growth?

She has also stated in her depos that the root growth is consistent with the 2week time frame... but then again she had forgotten her book that day ...sigh..

 

[SuziQ]

OMG she said the remains were at the site only 2 weeks.

I wonder how much she got paid to say that? I hope she waits a long time for her check. Shame on her.

 

[What'sThatClue]

I'm not familiar with vegetation in Florida. Is there a significant loss of vegetation, i.e., leaf litter accumulation, between December and February?

Might be. It's our "fall".

 

[Solomisskitty]

DS's voice.
Searching for props for eyelids.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

WFTV reports that RC is waiting outside the courtroom and will be called to testify.

 

[mombomb]

9:33

DIRECT EXAMINATION OF DR. JANE BOCK BY DS

She is a botanist, specializing in plant ecology, plant anatomy and forensic botany - the application of plant science to matters of the law.

Education - BS in botany from Duke, MS in botany, and PhD in botany. She is a retired biology professor and still teaches a little bit.

Publications - 80 peer reviewed papers. Books - authored three books and edited a third. 2 books are on plant ecology, one is on forensic biology and botany and the edited one is on plant ecology.

Research support - 30 year academic career continuos research support NSF, and other governmental entities.

Professional organization - ACFS, IAI, Botanical Society of America and a couple of others.

Trial testimony experience - she has testified 50+ times in court, including depositions. She has offered testimony in forensic botany to determine if remains had been moved?

JA - No objection to witness being used as a forensic botanist.

In this case, she has seen photos by the ME and CSI and she has visited the discovery scene and has read several printed documents - the ME's report, description of recovery site by Ms. Welch. Also, reports from David Hall.

She visited the remains site on 2/1/09. She didn't take photos, but Patrick McKenna took photos for her.

She identified one of the photos McKenna took. Photo marked as Exhibit 29 with no objection from JA and published to the Jury.

She described the ground cover as "leaf litter", a general term used for leaves that fall off vegetation over arching the area. The litter accumulates. There were also pieces of sticks and needles from evergreen plants.

Her opinion of shortest period of time that Caylee's remains could have been at the scene was 2 weeks. She could not tell when the remains were placed there.

Opinion basis - the pattern of the leaf litter.

Vegetation found in ICA's car, it was her opinion that it is not in agreement.

OBJECTION BY JA - SUSTAINED

She reviewed Dr. Hall's report setting out items of vegetation found in and under the vehicle - bits of leaves - especially from a camphor tree. There is no camphor tree at the remains site.

Regarding Dr. Hall's 2/9/09 report -

OBJECTION BY JA - comments on someone else's report - OVERRULED

Does the field of botany trains botanist to estimate how long a root has been alive solely by measuring the diameter of a root?

SIDEBAR #1 - 9:47

 

[Insomnia Momma]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this (RC) but they just showed CA and GA and I think CA looks angry and GA looks very concerned. :dunno:

 

[shotgun09]

Watch all the TH's on IS and HLN run with the two weeks. They will not state whatever JA has to counter her statements with either. This will be another "win" for the defense. Goodness!

 

[Tulessa]

Way to avoid sidebars. Keep JB from questioning witnesses. :woohoo:

 

[logicalgirl]

Oh goody - coming up with the root evidence - and estimated growth - I love this part - it is so silly....

 

[aprilraindance]

I hope Ashton cross examines this witness... IMO It will be a hoot! 2 weeks my fat fanny!

 

[PGWodehouse]

Wait. Is she saying there's leaf litter from a camphor tree, but no camphor tree at the dump site? So is she saying CSI cut one down, or that there was a camphor tree at an original dump site and then little Caylee was moved to a different dump site? Confuzzled.

 

[JSR]

Did this chick SEE the photo of the roots GROWING through the baby blanket????????????????

 

[Hamsterdance]

WFTV commentators mention that woman who had an affair with GA is waiting in the wings to testify today. Should get interesting.

(Poor GA)

 

[Mountain_Kat]

OMG, there are dogwood leaves under my car, but no dogwood trees at my house!! Does that mean I don't live here?!

:floorlaugh: