A view from the inside: observations from our own court observers #2

[sewsroses]

She has given numerous versions of her hurt finger, including ,tothe detective that one of the ninjas cut it.

 

[Anita Richman]

So she did not hurt it when he tackled her to the ground in whatever date of whatever day, but not prior to the killing?

No, it was not injured prior to the murder. It was her"only visible injury". She said it herself.

 

[PASA]

Ok now to the post court stuff, where the fun happens.

Then Dr. Drew's other juror joined...interesting young guy. Used to be a cop in CA, then moved here and is pre law. It was interesting to pick his brain as a male watchng this trial. He's been watching at home and decided to come down and Bill eyeballed him to get on the show. I've not watched it yet..hope he did well.



that last email was just SICK

He did very well. Finally, someone who believes she's guilty as sin and had the background to back up why her self-defense story is B.S. He is one of my favorite guest jurors.

 

[My3Sons]

I am confused about this. I thought she had already said that she had a cut on that finger from the day of his murder? I thought she was saying, before, that the disfigurement was separate from the cut? I am so lost. NOT that I believe her, mind you, but I am trying to see how what she said was different.

She said that the finger is the only VISIBLE injury from the murder, meaning the bent part, which she had previously testified was bent due to Travis breaking it. She has said she was cut during the killing, but said on cross it was her right fingers, not her left.

IIRC of course.

 

[TartLemon]

Thank you Katiecoolady for the inside court reports.

Did Jodi's Family respond in any shocked way to todays testimony or did it seem they already knew what was gonna happen?

 

[Curious Me]

I really need someone to answer this for me please. Don't the jurors get to see her face close-up like I do while watching online? No big screen for the jurors to watch her face closely?

In this day and age, I'm so surprised to find out the jury isn't supplied video access of the trial to watch again, and they have to rely on their notes so much. I feel I have more the advantage to grasp info from home, more than the jury. Jurors are the ones that make the big decision.

 

[Plumeria5]

snipped respectfully

I found it interesting that she made sure to stae more than once she NEVER touched any shelves. she apparently only placed "the edge" of her foot on 1 shelf and at no time touched any shelves..why? I'm guessing they dusted for prints and there weren't any! AND there was prob accumulated, undisturbed dust there! No way she could reach that high without grabbing a shelf with other hand!! :moo:

They appear to be adjustable shelves. If you try to step on the front edge of those they will tip and fall forward. Maybe Jodi should have been asked to demonstrate that too on a mock-up shelf.

 

[scorpio24]

JM switches gears seamlessly when objections sustained...he doesn't miss a beat. Today he was amazing.

He's in to his grand finale now..summation of his cross almost like a closing argument of the cross. He has this case memorized...WOW.

Thank you so much for sharing all your notes from today! I cannot IMAGINE how emotional it must have been, especially during the display of the graphic photos. I especially appreciate the descriptions of juror reactions during the testimony.

I was so impressed with JM, especially today. He seemed to know PRECISELY what he wanted to get out of JA and he somehow did it without coming across as a bully, at least it seemed that way to me.

At one point, I found myself thinking, "What an AMAZING voice for Travis Alexander and his family! I cannot imagine a more passionate, compelling, well-prepared, determined advocate than Juan Martinez. I would want him handling any case involving one of my friends or family members."

I felt that TRAVIS fought today, truly spoke and fought JA through JM. It was gratifying to see on TV. Did it come across that way in the courtroom?

Thanks again!

 

[DeAnnaMisrahi]

Evil duping delight leaks through - YouTube

Thanks so much for posting the link. I am going to still watch for it on JVM because it's not clear enough on my laptop's screen to be able to see her expressions. I can sort of see her teeth, but it's just too dark. Thanks again, though!

 

[Anita Richman]

The news about Beth breaks my heart! I just love her and feel like if she were a cut-throat, brutal competitor, she wouldn't be in the position she is in now. She's so down to earth. Unlike some of the more high-powered talking heads. (I'm not pointing fingers at anyone specifically.) I will definitely write a letter privately to her and to the network! Thanks for sharing all of that, Katie.

I've got shivers about the Rickie Lake show calling you. I can't wait to watch you on her show!!! I hope it doesn't interfere with closing arguments!

 

[DeAnnaMisrahi]

She said that the finger is the only VISIBLE injury from the murder, meaning the bent part, which she had previously testified was bent due to Travis breaking it. She has said she was cut during the killing, but said on cross it was her right fingers, not her left.

IIRC of course.

You are awesome - THANKS.

 

[StephanieHartPI]

wow ALL of these days and notes should be put in a book! On a permanent blog, in order.. they are fantastic as if we are there! If you don't already have one, maybe you can make a blog here!

Ok now to the post court stuff, where the fun happens.

Went to dinner this time at a restaurant ironically as Anita pointed out called "The Arrogant Butcher" (really?) it's right by the courthouse though. We sat outside on a gorgeous evening.

Me, Travis friend Julie, her friend Joi and katie. It was just awesome i tell you. We started the gathering with tears that had been held in in that courtroom for hours. And a toast to Travis. One thing we all agreed is this trial has brought some really awesome people together. I've made several new friends..it is so nice.

Then Dr. Drew's other juror joined...interesting young guy. Used to be a cop in CA, then moved here and is pre law. It was interesting to pick his brain as a male watchng this trial. He's been watching at home and decided to come down and Bill eyeballed him to get on the show. I've not watched it yet..hope he did well.

We compared notes from the day and each had so many similar perspectives. Biggest bombshells: the closet and the finger admission.

that last email was just SICK

 

[nanny1]

I believe you're referring to Jodi, not Samantha.

Jodi, after she lifted her face, could be seen laughing during one of her make-believe crying jags. I think it was when she removed her hands to take her glasses off. It was brief, but visible to anyone paying attention.

They've had the re-run of that moment on TV several times tonight.

Helllloooo! Ok what a freakin day start to finish. I'm gonna just start with my notes so here goes:

I get to court and immediately run in to Katie who tells me there's a big deal going on with a friend of Travis' who Jodi is trying to get kicked out of court. Apparently she told Nurmi that this friend is "making faces" at her and he tried to get her kicked out. Nicole, the VA intervened, allowed her to stay in with an admonition to keep her face STILL (she's very expressive) and lo and behold she went from sitting on the public side to sitting front row w/ Travis' family. CHA CHING! Karma done bit JA in the butt again.

I get in court first person in the family section simply because I got there early and no one back up yet. I took my same seat from yesterday. Nicole the VA came up and said there might not be a seat for me today which of course I totally understand but then Tanisha came up saying 3 family members would not be there that day so they let me stay...second row second seat in on the jury side. I could see JA perfectly without any obstruction from anything anyone. I also had a better view of the jury being one seat over.

PANIC AT THE DISCO! I didn't bring my journal! I was diggin my purse for a check record, anything and found my little "Field Notes' notebook...whew! I wrote in all the margins and everything.

Ok...so...now here we go.

Jennifer Willmott emerges from the elevator in flip flops. Nurmi wearing a purple shirt.

JA has no glasses on as she takes the stand.

The jury question is out of the basket now.

(to be continued...)

is is a amazing to me since Jodi's aunt and mother spend a lot of time laughing and smirking in the court room and most of us wonder why

 

[katiecoolady]

Thanks Katie! Could you please tell me which sister is which? Was Tanisha the one sitting to her brother's left today?

No Samantha was on the end of the row to their brother's left. Tanisha was to his right sitting with her husband Harold. Their other sister sat next to Harold (and was also sobbing in her husband's shoulder who was sitting next to her).

Another brother behind in the row I was in.

 

[katiecoolady]

Page 8

A photo admitted I've not seen...baseboard and a part of T's bloody body (ugh).

QUOTE]

Can you describe this anymore? I thought I'd seen all (besides the close up of his face when they found him cuz I just can't) the crime scene photos. I thought they'd all been posted and/or linked in the media thread.

Any info would be helpful. TIA

JM showed a photo of some kind of baseboard and some kind of closeup of a bodypart I couldn't make out basically covered in blood. I didn't look it very long, sorry.

 

[PASA]

I'll go back and answer questions once I get all my notes out.

So we walked Katie to the trucks and all sat out there talking and I was bound and determined to talk to Beth again about wth is going on with In Session and HLN coverage. Basically she thinks they will still cover the trial BUT thinks it might get cut off in the morning.

I had a really long talk with her. She's so nice. She's one of those people while she's talking to you she's reaching out and touching your hand or arm. I dunno I just really like that but I'm a sucker for affection.

Ok so she really needs our help. I talked to her about starting a "cause" facebook page. She likes the idea. And the CAUSE is to get her to keep covering trials. Somewhere. I don't have a good idea on the perfect title and if anyone out there wants to take on this project, that would be great. She's in to it. I just keep telling her how many fans she has and I don't think she really has any idea. I think we need to mobilize to help her. And there is an email address she gave me to write letters to protest her job loss or try and persuade them to keep her on live trial somehow. She really doesn't know what she's gonna do.

She gave me permission to post her email address here and said she's launching her own FB page in March.

She will be on a CNN show tomorrow night at 10pm est I think. and also Good Morning America early Sat. am 7:30. I gave her so many hugs and we both got tears in our eyes. I go way back with her.

Also I told her and guess I will go on ahead and tell you all, I was contacted by a producer for the Ricki lake show ironically just as I was walking in to court yesterday to ask me to be a guest. I was shocked when I told him I was just walking in the courtroom and he said "for what?". I assumed he contacted me related to my involvement in this trial but not at all. He'd just googled our case and knew a TON about it so asked if he could call me back today and did.

They are doing a show on murder for money and want to highlight my sister's case. This is a near and dear subject for me as I hold the insurance companies complicit with her death. We sued them and lost. It's a HUGE part of our case and if not for them, she'd be alive today and they didn't follow their own checks and balances (in fact "waived" them). Had they make ONE phone call they'd have found out her killer had a prior conviction for insurance fraud and would have never sold the policy. I'm shaking typing this as I feel so strongly about this and it was so unjust for my family. So I agreed to be on the show. They are flying me in March 11 taping the 12th. So...will keep you posted about air dates or whatever. Kind of weird timing as he knew NOTHING about this case even! Very little anyway.

Oh! I had a long talk with Julie Christopher on the sidewalk which was super interesting. I know she bugs a lot of people (the intutive) but this kind of person is in my world and I really found her interesting. She's french and gorgeous. Don't want to go in to details other than I had that encounter.

Ok for Beth:

at HLN write if you want to give them something something as in begging for laying her off:

[email protected]

her email (with permission)

[email protected]

I think direct fan letters would really make her day! Her last day is Monday I think. I'm in total denial. I need to bring her a very special gift!!!

I will write a sort of "form letter" if you want a copy to send HLN. Haven't done so yet so just pm me if you want it...feel free to use it. I think we need to bombard them so they know how many fans she has. Thousand and thousands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lease:

I've been just sick over I.S. and Beth. She is such a good reporter. She could have her own show covering trials. HLN should give her a show reporting trials and crime. MOO

I did sign the petition to keep I.S., and I never, ever, ever do those on-line petitions. That's how strongly I feel about losing I.S., and especially Beth.

I will certainly write, thank you for that email addy.

I'm glad to know it all worked out and you'll be on Rikki Lake. I'll be watching when it airs.

I like Julie, I found her very interesting and wanted to hear more. Dr. Drew had her on first (I think) and when she mentioned being an intuitive he kind of poo poo'd her story.

I'm going to try and make it to trial a day or two next week.

 

[katiecoolady]

Just thought I would give this a little :bump:

Katie thank you so much for your wonderful note taking :heartbeat: My question is, was there any reaction in the Gallery when Jodi got caught up with her lies and finally admitted that the injury to her finger was during the stabbing of Travis? Just the initial reaction not the back peddling.

I was screaming in my living room like it was a touch down at Superbowl and wondered how there would not be at least some kind of stur with the court watchers and family. Thanks! :seeya:

I was so in to my own jaw dropping that I didn't observe them much other than to see the regulars taking notes. Dad, Tricolor, Maureen I think. Most jurors were not taking notes at all all day. THey don't show a ton of emotion though anyway.

 

[katiecoolady]

Question - can the jurors ask to see video playback of her crying jag?

I'm wondering if they might like to see the smile, smirk or peeking.... could they if they asked?

No I don't think that's really evidence. But they can ask for all these 48 Hours and media and interrogation interview dvd's for playback.

 

[PASA]

I really need someone to answer this for me please. Don't the jurors get to see her face close-up like I do while watching online? No big screen for the jurors to watch her face closely?

In this day and age, I'm so surprised to find out the jury isn't supplied video access of the trial to watch again, and they have to rely on their notes so much. I feel I have more the advantage to grasp info from home, more than the jury. Jurors are the ones that make the big decision.

The jury sits to the left of ja (if you're looking at the screen). They are closer to her than the gallery and not sure, but imagine they can see her face pretty well.
In the gallery it's hard to see her face, but we are pretty far back from the stand.
She is not shown on the big screen during trial unless it's the hoo-ha photos ,and her 48Hours clips. Her testimony is viewed from the stand.

I thought the courtroom was pretty up-to-date with technology, etc.

Sorry I don't have a better answer for you.

 

[AZlawyer]

Page 12

She can remember her lines specifically from prior testimony "bittersweet words". He says "you have a very good memory".

Last juror back row close to her spends a long time looking at the gallery family side.

Her remembering prior testimony verbatim shows how good her memory is under stress aka this entire trial.

Ok now we're in a hearing post trial today..was it televised? I was there.

Imagine my surprise when I look up there and see MY OWN ATTORNEY Keli Luther who represents victims, sitting up there at the table with Juan Martinez...wow! Great to see her, it's been a few years now.

Samantha crying end of JM's cross.

JA over there crying during this hearing.

This media attorney is really impressive arguing for a closed door hearing 2/20 to be released to the public. I write "Atticus Finch" and later told him that and he said "you just made my whole day!". Very scholarly man.

Rule 122 AZ Law compelling interest overrides the public. Application to unseal is denied.

Future intervention to release sealed transcripts after conviction. Nurmi stating sentence of death has auto appeal would be affected by these transcripts..how weird. She's sitting there listening to her own attorney talking about this trial resulting in a sentence of death. She's right there.

ANd yes, she will receive a sentence of death. imo

BBM

Was it David Bodney? He does a lot of the media arguments, and is awesome.