a view from the inside: observations from our own court observers #3

[TotallyObsessed]

Ok...twist my arm! I'm coming:great:

I'll be in AZ week after next 3/25-3/28...was hoping to see part of rebuttal, but sounds like it will be LaViolette. I'll take what I can get. Is there a day that week that both you and PASA (and maybe others...hint, hint!) will be there? I haven't been to court since my high school law class, and I need some fellow WSers with me! lease:

Also, can I PM you and/or PASA some questions about attending. I'll probably only be able to convince hubby to give me one shot to go down there and if I don't get in, :furious::tears: Maybe I'll tell him court goes late so I can go to HH!

O/T--Bombshell tonight! Did you know this guy :fence: is actually swinging his legs on a fence, not typing away on his keyboard as I thought? Learn something every day!

Now THAT is funny! I always think of him as humpty dumpty on a brick wall

 

[PASA]

KCL and PASA:

FWIW, I am someone who has opposed the death penalty, however watching this trial, I have found that if I were on the jury and had to determine the sentence, I would have to go for the DP. I heard a female panelist on HLN say the same thing last night.

Since the jurors were screened on this as part of the voir dire and based on observations of the jury, unless the defense comes up with something very compelling or if JM bombs, it would seem that the jury will go for the DP.

Between the heinous nature of the slaying and JA's lying on the witness stand, IMO the jury has had it with her. JM proved she did not return the third gas can. He's expected to further erode her claim that TA had a gun. I don't know if he will bring in anyone on the closet shelves; it seemed as if that point needs further elaboration to hit home with the jury...that would make it three distinct lies on the stand.

MOO. The jury is on to her and her lies. They've seen the photos of what she did. They see her on the stand day after day not affected by the horror of it. I believe she will be convicted and receive the death penalty.

In her case LWOP would mean she'd interact with others, which would benefit her. If given the DP she will be more isolated and have less privileges. It may take 20-30 years for the sentence to be carried out.

I want what Travis' family wants in terms of punishment.

 

[marciec]

I enjoyed making this post in my post ER brain fog last night but I don't think many people saw it because it was in the middle of the night...it might come off as kind of insane but I had fun writing it so I'm bringing it over here to share on the interim break. This my brain on stress, stream of consciousness. Enjoy (I hope):

Ya know while we're on the subject of courtroom demonstrations , I'd like to ask Mr. Nurmi if we could also explore a demonstration on just how Ms. Arias was able to perform that Disneyesque Tinkerbell move as she ever so lightly flitted up those shelves seemingly bearing no weight on them with her foot or hand while grabbing a toyesque unloaded pistol that was in a holster/box/the thin air from whence it came all in the matter of a nanosecond with a man attempting to attack her and take her very own life right on her heels in the blink of an eye, that would be if she ever did blink, well not a blink of Jodi's eye as that would be the equivalent to the time frame it takes for you to get one "eeeeeannnnnd" out of your mouth while questioning her but I digress.

Now I think the most effective way to convince the jury with this demonstration and which would pack an even more powerful punch, than, say Gus Searcy demoing putting on ALL of his various pieces of jewelry in his tiny motor home bathroom while preparing for court (which you must admit would be a gravity defying feat all in itself and I do know this sentence is way past the "run on" definition and it's late and ask me if I care) , that you could bring in, say your mother/wife/mother in law's fine heirloom china or breakable trinkets or some kind of valuable small limoge porcelain Baloo the Bear figurine collection and place them all along those demo shelves she is so delicately able to place her feathery foot upon as she glides effortlessly toward a 10 foot ceiling that seems to be right at eye level for her (much like Alice in Wonderland in reverse, she enters a closet and it shrinks, she grows) and quickly grab a, say, gold lavalier off it and rush quickly to pin it on Gus Searcy which would probably equate the time it might take to release a safety and fire a gun, which obviously I wouldn't know as I don't know guns but dammit if I was in a fight for my life I'd sure be able to teach myself that accidental move in the blink of an eye.

Thank you...and you're welcome for the suggestion.

I think it would an epic ending to your case in chief.

Yours truly,

katiecoolady

Oh and PS. Your client is going to Death Row. So, anyway, there's that. __________________

OMG This is brilliant!!!! There's SO MUCH to love here! LOL, Gus putting on all his jewelry in his motor home bathroom - Right?? Died laughing!! And her feathery little glides up the shelf as it all gets smaller, and she gets bigger...Couldn't believe she actually said she was EYE LEVEL with that pic!! What?! Needed this laugh today...thank you!!

 

[TotallyObsessed]

I enjoyed making this post in my post ER brain fog last night but I don't think many people saw it because it was in the middle of the night...it might come off as kind of insane but I had fun writing it so I'm bringing it over here to share on the interim break. This my brain on stress, stream of consciousness. Enjoy (I hope):

Ya know while we're on the subject of courtroom demonstrations , I'd like to ask Mr. Nurmi if we could also explore a demonstration on just how Ms. Arias was able to perform that Disneyesque Tinkerbell move as she ever so lightly flitted up those shelves seemingly bearing no weight on them with her foot or hand while grabbing a toyesque unloaded pistol that was in a holster/box/the thin air from whence it came all in the matter of a nanosecond with a man attempting to attack her and take her very own life right on her heels in the blink of an eye, that would be if she ever did blink, well not a blink of Jodi's eye as that would be the equivalent to the time frame it takes for you to get one "eeeeeannnnnd" out of your mouth while questioning her but I digress.

Now I think the most effective way to convince the jury with this demonstration and which would pack an even more powerful punch, than, say Gus Searcy demoing putting on ALL of his various pieces of jewelry in his tiny motor home bathroom while preparing for court (which you must admit would be a gravity defying feat all in itself and I do know this sentence is way past the "run on" definition and it's late and ask me if I care) , that you could bring in, say your mother/wife/mother in law's fine heirloom china or breakable trinkets or some kind of valuable small limoge porcelain Baloo the Bear figurine collection and place them all along those demo shelves she is so delicately able to place her feathery foot upon as she glides effortlessly toward a 10 foot ceiling that seems to be right at eye level for her (much like Alice in Wonderland in reverse, she enters a closet and it shrinks, she grows) and quickly grab a, say, gold lavalier off it and rush quickly to pin it on Gus Searcy which would probably equate the time it might take to release a safety and fire a gun, which obviously I wouldn't know as I don't know guns but dammit if I was in a fight for my life I'd sure be able to teach myself that accidental move in the blink of an eye.

Thank you...and you're welcome for the suggestion.

I think it would an epic ending to your case in chief.

Yours truly,

katiecoolady

Oh and PS. Your client is going to Death Row. So, anyway, there's that. __________________

LOL..I like the way you think!

 

[Sweetiemom]

Yes, the last defense witness.

For real the last defense witness? I bet they drag it out beyond next week.:banghead:

 

[marciec]

MOO. The jury is on to her and her lies. They've seen the photos of what she did. They see her on the stand day after day not affected by the horror of it. I believe she will be convicted and receive the death penalty.

In her case LWOP would mean she'd interact with others, which would benefit her. If given the DP she will be more isolated and have less privileges. It may take 20-30 years for the sentence to be carried out.

I want what Travis' family wants in terms of punishment.

AND they've seen her attempt to cry or become zombie-like when Nurmi walked her through that which would horrify an actual human being..I think they've seen quite a bit from this freak.
To think she's trying to be a scared-of-strong-men poor widdle victim - then stands toe2toe with Juan for hours on end, refusing to answer the smallest of questions with the expected yes/no....yeah, they ain't buyin' it, imo.

 

[PASA]

I enjoyed making this post in my post ER brain fog last night but I don't think many people saw it because it was in the middle of the night...it might come off as kind of insane but I had fun writing it so I'm bringing it over here to share on the interim break. This my brain on stress, stream of consciousness. Enjoy (I hope):

Ya know while we're on the subject of courtroom demonstrations , I'd like to ask Mr. Nurmi if we could also explore a demonstration on just how Ms. Arias was able to perform that Disneyesque Tinkerbell move as she ever so lightly flitted up those shelves seemingly bearing no weight on them with her foot or hand while grabbing a toyesque unloaded pistol that was in a holster/box/the thin air from whence it came all in the matter of a nanosecond with a man attempting to attack her and take her very own life right on her heels in the blink of an eye, that would be if she ever did blink, well not a blink of Jodi's eye as that would be the equivalent to the time frame it takes for you to get one "eeeeeannnnnd" out of your mouth while questioning her but I digress.

Now I think the most effective way to convince the jury with this demonstration and which would pack an even more powerful punch, than, say Gus Searcy demoing putting on ALL of his various pieces of jewelry in his tiny motor home bathroom while preparing for court (which you must admit would be a gravity defying feat all in itself and I do know this sentence is way past the "run on" definition and it's late and ask me if I care) , that you could bring in, say your mother/wife/mother in law's fine heirloom china or breakable trinkets or some kind of valuable small limoge porcelain Baloo the Bear figurine collection and place them all along those demo shelves she is so delicately able to place her feathery foot upon as she glides effortlessly toward a 10 foot ceiling that seems to be right at eye level for her (much like Alice in Wonderland in reverse, she enters a closet and it shrinks, she grows) and quickly grab a, say, gold lavalier off it and rush quickly to pin it on Gus Searcy which would probably equate the time it might take to release a safety and fire a gun, which obviously I wouldn't know as I don't know guns but dammit if I was in a fight for my life I'd sure be able to teach myself that accidental move in the blink of an eye.

Thank you...and you're welcome for the suggestion.

I think it would an epic ending to your case in chief.

Yours truly,

katiecoolady

Oh and PS. Your client is going to Death Row. So, anyway, there's that. __________________

She must have been wearing the spider man undies and used her spidie powers to grab the gun. I wonder if LE checked the shelves for traces of spidie web.
Then there is the incredible shrinking closet.

As for the gun, if she was quite familiar with it (which I doubt if it did exist) she may get a round off. My sense tells me it would take her some time fumbling with it to try and figure it out.
Semi-auto (which the .25 was due to casing left behind) needs to be cocked/racked before firing unless there is a bullet in the chamber.

Probably way more than you wanted to know.

I'd like the jury to go out to the house and see the closet event re-enacted.
Or a courtroom replica would work too (then we could observe).

BTW, if you haven't seen this video yet, it's worth watching. It literally had my heart pounding as the seconds counted down.
It puts her version of events in perspective, and shows it couldn't be done in the time frame it actually happened.

[video=youtube;Z8MxOfIWlFc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8MxOfIWlFc[/video]

 

[KarmicLaw]

Yes, the last defense witness.

Thank the Universe...

 

[Rosemary Pierce]

believe it or not, Janine driver is also a member of that club. Amazing huh?

I'm 53 but I rock my immaturity with style.

And champagne is my thing....how did you know this?

We will most definitely have a post verdict gathering. I flew in to one of those once. I met Anita Richman at the one we held for the Scott Peterson posters. It's a good wind down. And good to meet people in person. Lifelong friendships have been formed through trials...this one I think would mean a good legacy for Travis who was a "connector" imo.

53 KCL?! Damn you look great. I am 42 and I sure hope I look as well as you do at 53.
O/T My son, who is 12, has spring break starting March 29. I told him last night if the trial was not over by then he could spend his spring break watching it with me....I was then told I was "insane" lol.

 

[Diva]

http://www.researchmaniacs.com/Jokes/BadPickUpLines.html


I wish I was one of your tears, so I could be born in your eye, run down your cheek, and die on your lips.

Did you know they changed the alphabet? They put U and I together.

Can I borrow that quarter? My mom told me to call home when I fell in love.

What’s wrong? You’re looking a little sad and gloomy. What you need is some vitamin me.

Are your legs tired? Because you been running through my mind ALL day long.

You look like the type of girl that’s heard every line in the book. So what’s one more?

Hi, I make more money than you can spend.

I wish you were a Pony Carousel outside Walmart, so I could ride you all day long for a quarter.

Say, did we go to different schools together?

Hi, my name is _____, how do you like me so far?

(At the copy machine) Reproducing, eh? Can I help?

Woman asks, “Excuse me, do you have the time?” You: “Do you have the energy?”

Are you lost? Because it’s so strange to see an angel so far from heaven.

Is your father a thief? Because he stole the sparkle from the stars, and put it in your eyes.

:giggle:

You had me @ Hi, I make more money than you can spend.
Let's pillow fight some time big boy.. illowfight2:

 

[KarmicLaw]

I agree with everyone else, KCL. Keep on stream of consciousness, run on sentence, brain under the fog influence posting. I love it. I think it's therapeutic to write and to read. After all, the DT is asking us to explore the limits of our capacity for imagination...

 

[KarmicLaw]

believe it or not, Janine driver is also a member of that club. Amazing huh?

I'm 53 but I rock my immaturity with style. And champagne is my thing....how did you know this?

We will most definitely have a post verdict gathering. I flew in to one of those once. I met Anita Richman at the one we held for the Scott Peterson posters. It's a good wind down. And good to meet people in person. Lifelong friendships have been formed through trials...this one I think would mean a good legacy for Travis who was a "connector" imo.

I KNEW it! I will be 53 in a couple of months. I like my mimosa with just a splash of OJ! :::wink::: I have never really liked OJ after living, eating, breathing that case as well. That was during a period of unemployment and I watched every day of the preliminary hearings. My daughter thought I was totally crazy. I remember exactly where I was when the verdict was read, but I had to keep it together in the lunch room at the office. I went back in my office and cried. I knew Scott Peterson was going to get convicted, but I also knew that CA was going to get away with murder.

I will definitely plan to meet up with everyone afterward. I know there are a lot of San Diegans on this board. It's time to UNITE!

 

[PASA]

On to my notes from yesterday. There isn't much, but I'll share what I have.
I attended afternoon only, and court ended early.

As always, these are my feelings and what I observed. I'm just jane q public sitting in the gallery.

Got to the public waiting area and surprised to see there were available seats. This greatly improved my chances of getting in.

Saw some familiar faces. Dr Drew's juror and another gal who is a regular guest juror on Dr. D. . "Guest" and I chat a bit. She's filling me in on the morning session because I was on my way downtown and missed it. As she's describing the defense witness I said "sounds like another Gus". She says "he looks like him but heavier". I had to laugh because I had no idea what the man looked like.
A little later I see an odd guy lurking around talking on his phone. Later I see him on the witness stand, it's RS.

I do know "guest's" name but since I haven't asked permission to use it, I will call her "guest" to respect her privacy.

No sign of CC or GW today. The waiting area has a calm that I haven't sensed in awhile.

Yay, I'm in. I get seated and notice the aunt has a new hair color, darker with auburn tones.
I can't see several of the jurors, person seated in front of me blocking my view. That's fine because I don't want to be seen by the court cameras. LOL! Totally slummin' it today.

I look over to the family side of the gallery. There are a couple of empty seats which is unusual. I miss seeing KCL in the courtroom.
The family is there as is another family friend "P". She's a great gal and am glad to see her in attendance, another supportive familiar face.

There's a sidebar (before court starts). No hissing static sound, jury hasn't been brought in yet.
I hear Judge Stephens say to JW "Why is this relevant" in an unhappy tone. JW who sounds like Mini Mouse on speed continues. I can hear her, but not what she's saying.
I'm in the next to last row about 4 seats in.

I then hear Judge Stephens say she's not ready to rule on it and will schedule an evendintuary hearing. It has to be about Gus, er...uh Dr. Samuel's testimony, but what part I do not know. She sounds (by her tone) like she's getting tired of the defense's BS tactics (my description).

The illustrations of the brain and some excerpts will be allowed. Juan doesn't seem upset after the sidebar. I believe he got what he wanted in that some parts won't be allowed until further review by Judge Stephens. (MOO)

PP presentation is shown on screen, and is discussed some more (not sure if the seal was still up or this was on the feed).

I notice JW and KN are matching again. Juan and Esteban look sharp as always. They're always dressed for success (my words).

Nurmi, the 60's called and want their tie back. Hope I don't have a flashback. I write in my notebook when I notice his tie.

RS taking a while to get his computer booted up and program launched. I can't see him, yet, but can hear him talking to the judge and JW.

Judge says to counsel: evendintuary hearing will take place today or tomorrow morning depending on how far we get with trial today.

Juan has no objections to the slides that will be shown.

Jury is in the courtroom. Judge gives them instructions that the presentation will not be available during deliberations.

Esteban Flores and Juan in conversation, heads together while RS is starting his slide show.
I can now see RS... OMG he does look like Gus, it's freaky.

Next post will be jurors and my observations.

 

[gamatilda]

Does Mr. Martinez have any expert witnesses?

 

[LambChop]

Does Mr. Martinez have any expert witnesses?

Yes. I believe it is the lady whose computer was stolen with all of JA's information in it. jmo

 

[biggirl]

If Thursday will be a black out day because a witness cannot attend does that mean that "Gus" will be on the stand till Weds afternoon??

 

[BChand]

Yes. I believe it is the lady whose computer was stolen with all of JA's information in it. jmo

I "think" this is her?

http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Janeen_DeMarte_PhD_Phoenix_Arizona_136525

 

[Magoo72]

believe it or not, Janine driver is also a member of that club. Amazing huh?

I'm 53 but I rock my immaturity with style.

And champagne is my thing....how did you know this?

We will most definitely have a post verdict gathering. I flew in to one of those once. I met Anita Richman at the one we held for the Scott Peterson posters. It's a good wind down. And good to meet people in person. Lifelong friendships have been formed through trials...this one I think would mean a good legacy for Travis who was a "connector" imo.

Champagne is my favorite, too! I've been drinking a lot of champagne and St. Germain lately. I was supposed to be in Phoenix next week for work, but it's been postponed. Maybe it will coincide with the verdict now!?!:great:

 

[Observer in AZ]

Hope your lil doggie is doing better. Sorry to hear about the surgery.

If you decide to come down, let us know. I'm going at least 1 day and maybe 2? Another WSer is coming into town as well.

Yesterday was no problem getting in, Thursday was packed. I think if Nurmi or the psychologist is still up we have a better chance of getting in. Not exciting testimony but you can see the jury and experience the courtroom.

Thanks Pasa! I'll let you know I struggle with going as I feel I'm intruding on the family's tragedy (my momma raised me right) but on the other hand I also feel I'm here in town so many would love the opportunity to be able to go I could contribute beyond my quips & comments to observation for them.

Let me see how Miss No No does this weekend she had a growth between toes on her paw removed so basically incision cut top & bottom of webbing (think your thumb & index finger) with heavy duty stitches. I'll let you know hopefully I can catch happy hour too!

Btw.. :great: "feeling" good about interview today should know next week lease:.. Unlike Katie's big dreams of being University President it's just training physicians & surgeons at the med center

 

[Observer in AZ]

I enjoyed making this post in my post ER brain fog last night but I don't think many people saw it because it was in the middle of the night...it might come off as kind of insane but I had fun writing it so I'm bringing it over here to share on the interim break. This my brain on stress, stream of consciousness. Enjoy (I hope):

Ya know while we're on the subject of courtroom demonstrations , I'd like to ask Mr. Nurmi if we could also explore a demonstration on just how Ms. Arias was able to perform that Disneyesque Tinkerbell move as she ever so lightly flitted up those shelves seemingly bearing no weight on them with her foot or hand while grabbing a toyesque unloaded pistol that was in a holster/box/the thin air from whence it came all in the matter of a nanosecond with a man attempting to attack her and take her very own life right on her heels in the blink of an eye, that would be if she ever did blink, well not a blink of Jodi's eye as that would be the equivalent to the time frame it takes for you to get one "eeeeeannnnnd" out of your mouth while questioning her but I digress.

Now I think the most effective way to convince the jury with this demonstration and which would pack an even more powerful punch, than, say Gus Searcy demoing putting on ALL of his various pieces of jewelry in his tiny motor home bathroom while preparing for court (which you must admit would be a gravity defying feat all in itself and I do know this sentence is way past the "run on" definition and it's late and ask me if I care) , that you could bring in, say your mother/wife/mother in law's fine heirloom china or breakable trinkets or some kind of valuable small limoge porcelain Baloo the Bear figurine collection and place them all along those demo shelves she is so delicately able to place her feathery foot upon as she glides effortlessly toward a 10 foot ceiling that seems to be right at eye level for her (much like Alice in Wonderland in reverse, she enters a closet and it shrinks, she grows) and quickly grab a, say, gold lavalier off it and rush quickly to pin it on Gus Searcy which would probably equate the time it might take to release a safety and fire a gun, which obviously I wouldn't know as I don't know guns but dammit if I was in a fight for my life I'd sure be able to teach myself that accidental move in the blink of an eye.

Thank you...and you're welcome for the suggestion.

I think it would an epic ending to your case in chief.

Yours truly,

katiecoolady

Oh and PS. Your client is going to Death Row. So, anyway, there's that. __________________

Btw saw on HLN they built a to scale model of TAs bedroom/bath/closet/hallway I saw FIELDTRIP JURY to studio & let JA show us a run thru of what happened?? Or depending on how they conduct their test run (accurate to details by JA) be able to request copy for Jury to view eh?? JM eh??