GUILTY AL - Natalie, 5, & Jonathan DeBlase, 3, beaten, poisoned, Mobile, 1 March 2010

[LibraStarr]

Thinking of these Littles today. The sentencing phase started at 8:30 this morning. I haven't really seen any updates yet.

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/05/heather_leavell-keaton_guilty.html?hootPostID=9bee2f3c262d106302319cab9decebd8

 

[Queen Bee]

Sentencing Phase Begins In Heather Keaton Trial

A strange verdict in the Heather Keaton murder trial sets the state for the sentencing phase this morning. Yesterday the jury found her guilty of capital murder in the death of Chase DeBlase but guilty of the lesser crime of manslaughter in the death of Natalie.

The capital murder conviction makes Keaton eligible for the death penalty. The jury will hear from state and defense witnesses. State witnesses will likely try to convince the jury to vote for the death penalty. Defense witnesses presented mitigating circumstances designed to persuade jurors to vote for life in prison instead.

It is unlikely the jury will reach a decision this morning. The defense alone has more than a dozen witnesses. Judge Rick Stout will take that recommendation under advisement. He will issue a final decision, upholding or amending, the jury's decision in the coming weeks.
-----------

then follows an update of openings and beginning witnesses.....


http://www.wkrg.com/story/29176433/sentencing-phase-begins-in-heather-keaton-trial

 

[Queen Bee]

Christian Jennings
‏@Christian_WPMI

John DeBlase was called to the stand in penalty phase of Heather Keaton's capital murder trial. He chose not to testify.

 

[Queen Bee]

http://www.fox10tv.com/story/29181865/keaton-could-face-death-penalty-in-deaths-of-kids

a few more details on today...........



:rose: natalie
:rose: chase
:rose: strength to those that love them

 

[watergirl62]

i have no idea libra..........i agree with the prosecutor quoted.....bizarre......with a guilty on chase for capital murder though, maybe they will sentence her to death still........

unbelievable, such an injustice to natalie :tears:

If HL-K gets the DP for Chase? Natalie may be totally okay with that. I'm sure they were very close with all they were put through together. I bet they adored each other.
And emotionally, in their tiny child hearts, maybe it means more to Chase to do this for his sister.

Small comfort, but there it is.

 

[LibraStarr]

If HL-K gets the DP for Chase? Natalie may be totally okay with that. I'm sure they were very close with all they were put through together. I bet they adored each other.
And emotionally, in their tiny child hearts, maybe it means more to Chase to do this for his sister.

Small comfort, but there it is.

I agree. It may not have been what we wanted for Natalie but little Chase will make sure she gets her justice too.

 

[Queen Bee]

For criminals like Keaton, every bad thing is always somebody else's fault: opinion

There are evils in the world, great and small, but among the greatest surely must be a stepmother who murders a child. Heather Keaton was found guilty of that crime this week.

Will she pay with her life? We won't know until her sentencing, although I would wager that she will.

But here's an even tougher question to answer: Why?
--------------------------------
http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/05/for_criminals_like_keaton_ever.html

long but worth it............an excellent editorial imo

 

[Queen Bee]

natalie and chase, sister and brother, forever together united in heaven :rose: :rose:

thinking of you :rose: :rose:

 

[zoey]

this makes me sooooo sad. I just don't understand why people just don't give the children up for adoption---there are soooooooo many people that want children and can't have them. I also wonder WHY they continue to have children. Angers me to no end! Breaks my heart hearing about these poor defensive children.

 

[Queen Bee]

http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/05/facing_death_for_same_child_mu.html

very good summary of thursday and moving testimony regarding the children :rose:

 

[Queen Bee]

Reasons To Spare Keaton’s Life

http://www.wkrg.com/story/29187619/reasons-to-spare-keatons-life

more defense witnesses w/cross examinations...........

 

[Queen Bee]

Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 4h4 hours ago

Heather Keaton will not be testifying on during this penalty phase of the trial. Defense is now resting. The state gets rebuttal now

 

[Queen Bee]

Defense Gives Reasons Why Keaton's Life Should Be Spared

http://www.local15tv.com//shared/ne...s-life-should-spared-20861.shtml#.VWoscEZntL8

MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) The penalty phase of Heather Keaton's capital murder trial is expected to wrap up Tuesday. That's when the jury will decide whether Keaton should spend the rest of her life in prison or die.

Earlier this week a jury convicted Keaton of capital murder for the death of her common law husband's son, 3-year-old Chase DeBlase. Keaton was found guilty of manslaughter for the death of 4-year-old Natalie DeBlase.

The defense is pushing for Keaton to get life in prison without the possibility of parole. The state is fighting for the death penalty. On Friday, her attorneys called Keaton's family members to the stand to show the jury that if she's sentenced to death, there are people that love her and will miss her.

(snip)
They'll be asked to recommend life or death for Keaton. Only 10 jurors have to agree on the death penalty.

The vote does not have to be unanimous.

 

[Queen Bee]

natalie and chase, sister and brother, forever together united in heaven :rose: :rose:

on my mind :rose: :rose:

 

[2Hope4]

Jurors are an unpredictable bunch. Some days I wonder if we should have professional jurors, but then corruption would run rampart in that. Our system isn't without flaws, but much than better than some countries, while lacking in regards to other countries.

Run, flocking, and play little Natalie, and Jonathan! There's time for resting, but much more time to have fun! Love on the animals, get as many hugs as you want from Jesus!!

Precious, precious children........gone too soon at the hands of pure evil.

 

[Queen Bee]

Sentencing Phase Continues for Heather Keaton


Monday, the state is hoping to finish calling rebuttal witnesses which would mean after closing arguments Tuesday morning, it will be the jury's turn to recommend life in prison or death for Keaton. The judge however gets the final say.

Monday heard from three witnesses including Dr. Doug McGowan, a clinal and forensic psychologist who evaluated Heather Keaton in Metro Jail in August 2011, eight months after she was arrested for the murders of Natalie and Chase DeBlase. McGowan testified that in his opinion, Keaton has anti social personality disorder, not bipolar disorder as we heard some of the defense witnesses say last week. He also called Keaton a manipulative person.

http://www.local15tv.com/shared/new...inues-heather-keaton-20884.shtml#.VWyzTUZntL9

 

[Queen Bee]

State Calls Witnesses Against Keaton In Sentencing

Dr. William Billette was the first state rebuttal witness. He testified he diagnosed Heather Keaton with a personality disorder. The defense counters with the arguments that three different doctors could take the same set of facts and come up with three different conclusions on the examination of a patient.

Danette Overstreet is the next witness for the state. She is a nurse practitioner at Alta Pointe. She saw Heather Keaton on December 5th, 2007.

(snip)
The third witness of this morning is Dr. Doug McCowan. He's a forensic psychologist. Dr. McCowan evaluated defendant Heather Keaton in August 2011. He was ordered by the court to do an evaluation.

http://www.wkrg.com/story/29206872/state-calls-witnesses-against-keaton-in-sentencing

good overview of witnesses as of 12:40pm central time......

 

[Queen Bee]

Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 4h4 hours ago

Closing arguments are over in sentencing phase of Heather Keaton trial. Judge is about to charge jury, then they will decide life or death


Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 4h4 hours ago

Noticed 3 jurors crying during closing arguments.
8:38 AM - 2 Jun 2015 · De


Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 4h4 hours ago

Jury being charged. 1st the jury will have to unanimously decide that the state proved that Keaton's action was heinous, atrocious and cruel


Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 4h4 hours ago

THEN, only if they vote unanimously on that, can they vote for death penalty. At least 10 jurors must agree for death to recommend death
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Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 3h3 hours ago

At least 7 jurors must agree on life in prison without possibility of parole, to return that verdict.



Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 3h3 hours ago

Heather Keaton's aunt and John DeBlase's dad are in the courtroom today

 

[Queen Bee]

Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 2h2 hours ago

Jury has reached a verdict in sentencing for Heather Keaton. People are heading back to the courtroom. Standby for decision @LOCAL15NEWS



Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 1h1 hour ago

Keaton was led into the courtroom a few minutes ago, then led back out. Waiting to see what's going on.

 

[Queen Bee]

Christian Jennings ‏@Christian_WPMI 50m50 minutes ago

BREAKING NEWS: Jury Recommends DEATH for Heather Keaton after only 30 minutes of deliberating @LOCAL15NEWS



:rose: natalie, your baby brother brought you justice
:rose: chase, justice for you and your big sister
:rose: strength to those that love them

:tears: :heartbeat: