GUILTY AZ - Daniel Rodriguez, 29, fatally shot by Phoenix PD officer, 5 Oct 2010 #2

[Zuri]

Mehrens didn't last long, hopefully this is his halfway point and the jury will get the case by lunch tomorrow.

:floorlaugh: This is priceless. :floorlaugh:

 

[MeeBee]

LOL, there is absolutely nothing wrong with them taking a dictionary and looking something up (though, again, I am sure he meant look it up in your instructions, as he does, referencing the instructions). Methinks the defense just made a stink about it and the judge had to get that on record.

 

[aa9511]

I'm feeling pretty good about this so far....there is just so much forensic evidence which disputes Chrisman's story. EVEN if they don't believe Vergillo, EVEN then the forensics don't match up with what Chrisman is saying. I think it was smart for Juan to focus on that and not go into a lot of emotional things.

 

[Bernina]

Catch you kids tomorrow!

 

[Zuri]

I'm feeling pretty good about this so far....there is just so much forensic evidence which disputes Chrisman's story. EVEN if they don't believe Vergillo, EVEN then the forensics don't match up with what Chrisman is saying. I think it was smart for Juan to focus on that and not go into a lot of emotional things.

I wonder now what all his fellow cops and PLEA members think? They have heard the evidence correct? Or did they just care about RC and his version of events? Hmmmm

 

[geevee]

I'm feeling pretty good about this so far....there is just so much forensic evidence which disputes Chrisman's story. EVEN if they don't believe Vergillo, EVEN then the forensics don't match up with what Chrisman is saying. I think it was smart for Juan to focus on that and not go into a lot of emotional things.

I do too, I think JM wrapped it up very well, Mehrens will have to pull out the emotional stuff to try to get the jury to ignore the facts and evidence.

 

[MeeBee]

I wonder now what all his fellow cops and PLEA members think? They have heard the evidence correct? Or did they just care about RC and his version of events? Hmmmm

They cared about protecting their brother in blue even if it meant lying for him and covering up his actions. That's cops for you. They think just because they are cops they are above the law. And, sadly, they usually are. Here's hoping this cop gets what he deserves.

 

[Zuri]

They cared about protecting their brother in blue even if it meant lying for him and covering up his actions. That's cops for you. They think just because they are cops they are above the law. And, sadly, they usually are. Here's hoping this cop gets what he deserves.

Actually, the cops I know are exemplary, so I don't know whether these problems are just with this particular police department. The detectives who solved my brother's murder were the cream of the crop as well. One of them is my children's Godfather.

 

[josie1986]

how long do you think they jury will deliberate if they get the case tomorrow lunchtime? im thinking 3days just to be on the safe side

 

[Jewels53]

how long do you think they jury will deliberate if they get the case tomorrow lunchtime? im thinking 3days just to be on the safe side

I think by Thursday, so 2 1/2 days.

 

[MeeBee]

Actually, the cops I know are exemplary, so I don't know whether these problems are just with this particular police department. The detectives who solved my brother's murder were the cream of the crop as well. One of them is my children's Godfather.

I am sure there are great cops out there, case in point, Virgillo. Det. Flores. etc.

But when it comes to cops doing wrong and others covering for them, I have seen too much of it. It has to stop. Why do they feel this need to protect blatant assault and murder just because the person is a cop? Nobody else gets that level of protection from wrong doing. It happens allll the time, even up in Canada (look up Jason Neville). They think they are above the law and above reprieve. Virgillo just didn't play the game and now he's a pariah among his co workers. It's a shame. Integrity is not always high on the list for LE. That's the sad truth.

 

[Zuri]

I think by Thursday, so 2 1/2 days.

I am hoping you are correct. There is a lot of evidence to go through. Hopefully they are not too split when they go into the jury room. How long did it take the Sneiderman jury to come back? 3 days? I can't remember

 

[geevee]

Verdict Wed. afternoon, I think.

 

[MeeBee]

Verdict Wed. afternoon, I think.

Seconding this. The evidence is clear and the jury is close.

 

[geevee]

Croakie ‏@croakerqueen 1h #RichardChrisman Trial - September 9:

(Prosecution Closing Statements):

Part 1: http://youtu.be/L3NnZXFg7iA

Part 2: http://youtu.be/9xITzBOKrpI

Part 3: http://youtu.be/7ddzD8CrNdQ

Part 4 (Defense Closing Statements): http://youtu.be/9kmXYS5sVWA

 

[geevee]

Seconding this. The evidence is clear and the jury is close.

That's my reasoning too.

 

[Zuri]

I really feel badly for Officer Virgillo, regardless of the verdict. The last 3 years had to have weighed heavily on him with being ostracized by a lot of fellow officers. I really hope he and DR will both be vindicated with a Guilty verdict. JMV

 

[geevee]

I really feel badly for Officer Virgillo, regardless of the verdict. The last 3 years had to have weighed heavily on him with being ostracized by a lot of fellow officers. I really hope he and DR will both be vindicated with a Guilty verdict. JMV

Same here, his working life will never be the same again, for these men and women of law enforcement to profess civic service and duty, it sure is a strange way to prove it.

But then some of them dirtied their hands by moving evidence and lying so their true colors have been seen by the world. Whether or not the jury will hold RC accountable, who can tell, it has to be scary to sit in judgement of the police. Esp. when they've been in the courtroom in such heavy numbers throughout the trial, that's intimidating, and they know that.

 

[Zuri]

Same here, his working life will never be the same again, for these men and women of law enforcement to profess civic service and duty, it sure is a strange way to prove it.

But then some of them dirtied their hands by moving evidence and lying so their true colors have been seen by the world. Whether or not the jury will hold RC accountable, who can tell, it has to be scary to sit in judgement of the police. Esp. when they've been in the courtroom in such heavy numbers throughout the trial, that's intimidating, and they know that.

I wonder what will happen to the officers that compromised the scene and investigation. I guess if RC is found guilty, heads may roll. Wouldn't a guilty verdict be a referendum on the PPD?

 

[GarAndTeed]

I am sure there are great cops out there, case in point, Virgillo. Det. Flores. etc.

But when it comes to cops doing wrong and others covering for them, I have seen too much of it. It has to stop. Why do they feel this need to protect blatant assault and murder just because the person is a cop? Nobody else gets that level of protection from wrong doing. It happens allll the time, even up in Canada (look up Jason Neville). They think they are above the law and above reprieve. Virgillo just didn't play the game and now he's a pariah among his co workers. It's a shame. Integrity is not always high on the list for LE. That's the sad truth.

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/17/opinion/killer-cop.html

Absolutely, MeeBee...you & others might find this link relevant. This murder by cop happened just down the street from me. The state Dept. of Criminal Investigation was called in to investigate. I attended the "conclusive" press conference; Mrs. Shaw was sitting outside the room with tears streaming down her face. I felt so helpless; I just went up & hugged her, and told her how sorry I was, and that there were LOTS of us pulling for them. Not one cop or investigator spoke out against the cops involved in the killing, and J. Patrick White (who is a <censored> coward, IMO) refused to convene a grand jury or investigate in any way. I still get teary & outraged when I think of this case. Bravo to Juan for having the guts to prosecute; and bravo to Ofc. Virgillo, as well.

My Opinion Only