GUILTY AL - Savannah Hardin, 9, forced to run til she died, Etowah Co., 17 Feb 2012

[Shelby1]

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 28m28 minutes ago

There were only four witnesses who testified today in open court, and one of them testified yesterday.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 28m28 minutes ago

Obviously, the pathologist testimony was the most important. The jury saw pictures of Savannah Hardin's body.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 27m27 minutes ago

Understand, it is very limited in the courtroom as to how much we can hear when there is a conference with the lawyers.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 27m27 minutes ago

But you can tell defense and state were trying hard to define what could and could not be asked in court in front of the jury.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 26m26 minutes ago

It took about an hour before Ogletree was able to swear in Ward and allow Sam Bone to ask her two questions about her employment status.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 26m26 minutes ago

I think the defense was able to enter Ward's lawsuit into the record without asking too many questions about it, but I'm not sure.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 26m26 minutes ago

Bone did ask Ward when she filed her lawsuit. It was before she did Savannah Hardin's autopsy.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 25m25 minutes ago

Ogletree spent lot of time today trying to control tempers. "Face the court" said a lot to lawyers who began talking to each other at bench.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 25m25 minutes ago

"Relax." "Time out." "Stop." "Right here," he said, pointing to himself. "Calm down." Once, he slammed both hands down to get attention.

 

[Shelby1]

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 23m23 minutes ago

"Move forward" was said a lot too. But Ogletree kept a pleasant smile most of the time. When he motioned the jury to be brought in once...

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 24m24 minutes ago

...he joked to everyone in the courtroom, "Assume the positions." This broke the ice.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 23m23 minutes ago

Still, there were some tense moments, especially during the morning testimony with the scribe that got cut short.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 23m23 minutes ago

Main takeaways for the state - they continued the narrative that Garrard changed her story several times about what happened to Savannah.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 23m23 minutes ago

They also got more testimony that painted Garrard as harsh, brusque, seemingly unconcerned about her granddaughter's wellbeing.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 22m22 minutes ago

Defense attorney Richard Rhea, during Kristen Green's testimony, said she was "asked to say a cuss word" that Garrard supposedly said.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 22m22 minutes ago

They were also able to show the forensic testimony. At one point during Ward's questioning, I saw one juror leaning noticably forward.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 21m21 minutes ago

There was also an audible gasp from the gallery during Green's testimony about what Garrard supposedly said about Savannah's teacher.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 21m21 minutes ago

Green also said Garrard insinuated the Gadsden hospital had administered the wrong drug to Savannah, causing her to have a second seizure.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 21m21 minutes ago

She supposedly told Green that she was "going to own" the hospital after it was all over with.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 20m20 minutes ago

For the defense, they cut short the testimony of the scribe. What little showed up had her saying she thought Savannah unresponsive.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 19m19 minutes ago

During each of the jury recesses, Ogletree would welcome them back and state that the delay was "the court's fault."

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 16m16 minutes ago

Ward said Savannah's brain had swelled, and her death was consistent with low sodium.

 

[Shelby1]

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 15m15 minutes ago

State tried to blunt the defense's argument about too much water in her system. Ward said that would not be consistent with autopsy findings

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 15m15 minutes ago

Defense did ask if an ADHD medication Savannah presumably took could have caused seizures. Ward said it did in people susceptible to them.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 14m14 minutes ago

Quick reminder: Jessica Hardin's 911 call had her stating that Savannah had not had seizure before. Savannah's body temp at hospital: 92.3

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 14m14 minutes ago

Ward also testified that the bruises on Savannah's arms were consistent with the firewood she was supposed to have carried.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 13m13 minutes ago

One person near me thought she heard one of the defense lawyers utter an expletive when she said this. Can't confirm.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 13m13 minutes ago

Have to also remember, it's close quarters, so things can be misunderstood.
Judge Ogletree suggested jurors not return to work tomorrow, probably to avoid any contact with trial info.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 12m12 minutes ago

If I heard right, Ogletree is also not going to release the 911 tape or the video at this time
Green testified that Garrard told her in Children's waiting room that Savannah had had a seizure in the home.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 8m8 minutes ago

Few notes on defense attorney Richard Rhea: Approaches every cross-exam with words, "As far as I know, you and I have never met, right?"

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 4m4 minutes ago

Has a friendly, folksy manner. Uses phrases like "sho-nuff" and smiles a lot when talking to witnesses.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 2m2 minutes ago

He's passionate, no question. You watch him and you never doubt he cares about this case.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 3m3 minutes ago

Defense attorney Dani Bone, who handled the opening statement, at times will modulate his voice during conferences so it can be heard.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 4m4 minutes ago

Defense attorney Sam Bone did most of the questioning of Ward. His wife is actually ready to deliver a baby, from what I hear.

 

[Shelby1]

Thank you William for your tweets! I tweeted to you yesterday to say thanks, but I don't know if you got it or not.

 

[Shelby1]

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 39s40 seconds ago

DA Harp was very animated during the conferences, probably with respect to the defense's motion stating misconduct.

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 41s42 seconds ago

Something else I meant to cover. Mention of the Gadsden hospital prompts a reminder that the father of Savannah Hardin filed a lawsuit
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 3m3 minutes ago

It's easy when you get into a courtroom to forget that these attorneys, for state and defense, see each other virtually every day.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 4m4 minutes ago

Deputy DA Carol Griffin is also handling some of the testimony and has the same manner about her.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 4m4 minutes ago

Reid is very polished, very smooth, has a good manner with testimony and is able to get the information digestible.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 5m5 minutes ago

Chief Deputy District Attorney Marcus Reid handled the opening statement and most of the questioning of Dr. Ward.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 5m5 minutes ago

He handled most of the questioning regarding the 911 tape yesterday.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 6m6 minutes ago

DA Harp was very animated during the conferences, probably with respect to the defense's motion stating misconduct.
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[Shelby1]

Don't forget, no trial tomorrow. It resumes Friday.

I might have to be gone Friday....I'm not sure yet......

 

[Queen Bee]

Don't forget, no trial tomorrow. It resumes Friday.

I might have to be gone Friday....I'm not sure yet......

well this just won't do........do i need to write you a note or call someone? because i will

we need you :anguish:

 

[Shelby1]

well this just won't do........do i need to write you a note or call someone? because i will

we need you :anguish:

Believe me, I'm trying not to be......I'll know more tomorrow night. Makes me crazy to be away from a trial that I'm immersed in.

Edited to say....Hmmmm....the note thing might help lol

 

[Shelby1]

I really think the defense has NO defense. All of the medical evidence shows that poor Savannah was run to death. She did NOT drink TOO MUCH water. Sigh.

All IMO, of course.

 

[Queen Bee]

I really think the defense has NO defense. All of the medical evidence shows that poor Savannah was run to death. She did NOT drink TOO MUCH water. Sigh.

All IMO, of course.

i agree............and keep me posted on the note......i'm ready to write :floorlaugh:

:seeya:

 

[Queen Bee]

Day 3 of Joyce Garrard trial: Emotions boil over, prosecutor curses angrily in front of jurors

Updated: Mar 11, 2015 3:27 PM PDT

GADSDEN, Ala. (AP) — Emotions boiled over Wednesday in the capital murder trial of an Alabama woman accused of running her 9-year-old granddaughter to death, with the defense accusing the state of withholding key evidence and a prosecutor cursing angrily in front of jurors.

http://www.abc3340.com/story/283952...efuses-defense-attorneys-request-for-mistrial

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:judge: sounds like it was a throw down!

 

[Steely Dan]

Hi Steely! Hope your are feeling better these days and so glad to see you back. You've been missed around here my friend!

It will be interesting to see how the civil suit plays out. If JG is found guilty of murdering Savannah, I don't know how the hospital can be held liable for her death, especially if incorrect information was given. However, from a personal perspective, I've spent alot of time in the two hospitals in Etowah county the past couple of years and feel my loved ones received more compassionate care at the other hospital. And I birthed babies at both hospitals long ago and preferred the other hospital way back then. GRMC is crowded and twice didn't have a room available and I found the ER very slow. No offense to the health care workers there, as I have friends who work there and they do the best they can in a very busy environment. So MOO!

OT I'm feeling sad today folks. My great aunt and legal guardian from the time I was in my early teens passed away yesterday. What a wonderful woman she was and she lived a full long life! Not even my blood aunt but the wife of my great uncle who was deceased by the time she took me in. She loved kids and looking back, I believe was quite amused by children. She said kids kept her young and she always stayed young at heart! So to honor Eth's and Savannah's memory , I'd like to invite you all to join me in a moment of celebration of two lives who have touched others, Auntie Eth and Savannah Hardin. It warms my heart to think that my beautiful and kind and funny Auntie Eth is probably showering sweet little Savannah with love and hugs and laughs in heaven! Thanks for reading.

Justice for Savannah!

She really sounds like she was a great aunt in more than one way. :hug:

I wanna give a shout out to @billineastala for his tweets and to Shelby1 for posting them!

This cannot be stated enough. Thanks again Shelby1.

 

[Shelby1]

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 49m49 minutes ago

Full disclosure - my wife Donna is covering the trial for @gadsdentimes. She got an invite to talk to Nancy Grace, but she was in court.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 54m54 minutes ago

Nancy Grace is talking about Joyce Garrard trial right now.

 

[Shelby1]

WilliamThornton @billineastala · 21m21 minutes ago

I would also point out that practically every witness who saw something seems to regret that they did not intervene in some way.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 21m21 minutes ago

Their second experience is to try to explain away anything that seems out of the ordinary. "Maybe what I saw isn't what happened."
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 23m23 minutes ago

My experience in other stories is that when people observe something out of the ordinary, their first impulse is to mind their own business.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 24m24 minutes ago

My personal opinion - I don't think you can blame them because none of them apparently were observing these things for very long.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 24m24 minutes ago

I mentioned that several readers have questioned why the neighbors didn't intervene. This also came up on Nancy Grace last night.
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WilliamThornton @billineastala · 25m25 minutes ago

Even though there's no trial today, I did a quick post summing up some of the action. http://www.al.com/news/anniston-gadsden/index.ssf/2015/03/3_quick_takeaways_from_joyce_g.html#incart_river …





Please start from the bottom up on these tweets......my computer is being a jerk today and won't let me copy and paste like it normally does.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

According to William Thornton's tweets there will be no court today. Will resume Monday a 9 am. Judge told jury it was a 'situation out of everyone's control'.

Wonder what's going on?

 

[waltzingmatilda]

Thornton tweeted he was notified at 8 this morning but was asked not to announce til 9 am.

 

[waltzingmatilda]

JG, state and defense were in court except for DA Harp & defense atty Dani Bone.. according to Thornton.

 

[Shelby1]

Wow! I wonder what's up????? I just got home and was ready to get caught up. Hmmmmm....what could it be?

 

[Queen Bee]

:scared: just buzzed in myself........can i not leave you people alone for 1/2 a day without all hell breaking loose? :gaah: :cursing:

well now i'm dying to know what's up............we need a spy :websleuther:

 

[waltzingmatilda]

I dunno, maybe there is a plea deal in the works? I was once chosen to serve on a jury. The jurors sat in the jury room until lunch, then the judge came in and gave admonishments and dismissed us for lunch. After lunch, we reconvened in the jury room where we sat until late afternoon. Then at close to the end of the court day the judge came in and thanked us for our service and announced a plea deal had been reached and we were dismissed. We the jury had no idea what was going on but I was thinking to myself after being in that room the whole day, 'They are copping a plea deal'. And sure nuff that's what happened. I just hope that if this is what is happening, that JG is sentenced to at least 25 years until her current grandchildren are grown before she is released. She is one mean old <modsnip>!

The only other reason I can think of would be court matters the judge must consider in another case, something with either the DT or PT regarding another case, or a member of the DT/PT had a personal emergency.

I guess we will find out on Monday!

BTW It sure was lonely in here this morning, Shelby1 and QueenBee!