GUILTY CA - Tori Vienneau, 22, & Dean Springstube, 10 mos, murdered, Bonita, 26 July 2006 #2

  • #381
God bless you dayna...
 
  • #382
http://find.signonsandiego.com/?q=Dennis+Potts&Submit=Go!

A link to several news stories. I think most of them have been posted before but with the trial going on, thought it would be helpful to new comers to have them all in one place.

Thanks to Tom'sGirl for links to updates on the trial.
 
  • #383
  • #384
Man accused of killing infant son, baby's mother testifies

By Dana Littlefield

Union-Tribune Staff Writer

7:53 p.m. September 1, 2009

*snips
A Bonita man accused of killing his infant son and the baby's mother three years ago testified Tuesday that some Internet searches he performed before their deaths “look bad,” but don't mean he's guilty of murder.

Dennis Mickjale Potts told a jury that he conducted the searches in the spring and summer of 2006, using terms including “getting away with murder,” “performing a chokehold” and “getting out of child support.”

* Tuesday was the first time Potts had spoken about the case in San Diego Superior Court. When questioned by his lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, Potts said he was surprised to learn that he might be a father, but did not contemplate killing Vienneau or the baby.

* He said he was interested in topics related to death, including euthanasia, because of his father's health battles. He also developed an interest in mixed-martial arts and the various submission holds used in televised cage-fighting matches

* “The whole paternity thing came at a kind of a rough time,” Potts told the jury Tuesday. He said he had no job at the time and that his relationship with his longtime girlfriend was getting serious. The two are now engaged.
 
  • #385
Thanks TomsGirl! does this mean the prosecution has completed their testimony? Sounds like they have.......... I can't help but admit I am as anxious for this to get to the jury as I was awaiting the trial. And I know I'll be just as anxious (and impatient) for the jury to come back with their decision. Waiting how many years for this to get to trial has been a so long.....

From the article in TomsGirls above post.

But Potts said he was researching topics for a school paper he was considering for a community college writing course, one of the credits he needed to transfer to a four-year university.

I didn't think a paper was ever actually written for any college course on this subject. He was 'considering' it.... ya ya ya... weak, very very weak Kerry Armstrong. Any evidence Dennis even REGISTERED for that course? :rolleyes:

He said he was interested in topics related to death, including euthanasia, because of his father's health battles.


Dennis's father certainly didn't appear terminally ill when he answered the door for the reporter and stated Dennis was home the evening Tori was killed. Is his father in the court room? Was he wheeled in on a stretcher and with a breathing tube? :rolleyes:

I hope Kerry Armstrong is reading this thread, because I would like him to know his client doesn't have a dream to get away with this one! He has a better chance of winning millions in the lotto. You're welcome to pass that along to your client Mr. Armstrong. In fact, please do!


:furious: :furious: :furious:
 
  • #386
snip
Thanks TomsGirl! does this mean the prosecution has completed their testimony?
I really don't know Cubby. Hopefully I'll hear more about this week at a later date.
 
  • #387
Man Accused Of Killing Son, Baby's Mom, Takes Stand

POSTED: 5:16 pm PDT September 2, 2009

UPDATED: 5:27 pm PDT September 2, 2009

On Wednesday, Potts took the stand in his own defense. "I've never lied about lying," he said. However, Dennis Potts admitted that he told a long list of lies following the murders of his ex-girlfriend and their infant son but he said he had a reason.

"I lied to police to cover up an infidelity and to cover up something that could by viewed as morally wrong, by falsifying a paternity test," said Potts

The trial will resume Tuesday.
 
  • #388
As of Wed. the defense has rested their case and the prosecution is now calling rebuttal witnesses on Tuesday. Closing arguments will be on Tuesday afternoon and then the case goes to the jury.
 
  • #389
Thank you Tom'sgirl, I really appreciate all the updates and news links you have provided. :blowkiss:

I guess this means we may have a verdict friday depending on how long the jury takes to make a decision.
 
  • #390
POSTED: 3:01 pm PDT September 8, 2009
UPDATED: 3:10 pm PDT September 8, 2009


SAN DIEGO -- A Bonita man strangled the mother of his child, and then killed his 10-month-old son, after she threatened to take him to court over the child's paternity, a prosecutor said Tuesday in urging jurors to return a murder verdict.

A defense attorney, meanwhile, told the panel that will decide 25-year-old Dennis Potts' fate that the prosecution had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Deputy District Attorney Per Hellstrom said in his closing argument that Tori Vienneau was killed on July 26, 2006, on a night she and Potts had dinner plans.

Cont'd here
 
  • #391
Jurors begin their first full day of deliberations tomorrow, Wednesday, September 09, 2009
 
  • #392
From the article posted in #372

Potts' palm print on the door jam of the room where the baby was hung in his crib could have been put there weeks before, because the defendant had been to Vienneau's apartment three or four times, Armstrong argued.

This is one point I have questions regarding. I do not ever recall reading that Dennis Potts had EVER been inside this apartment prior to Tori and Deans murder. I wish I knew if any of Tori's roommates confirmed DP visiting the apartment weeks earlier... or was this just speculation the defense tossed out there without any proof.

And now we wait.... I don't know what I am gonna do if the jury comes back with a not guilty. I know I am going to cry either way. On pins and needles here. If I am feeling this nervousness in my stomach as a stranger following this story, I can only imagine how Dayna, Roy, family and friends feel right now. All of Tori and Deans family and friends are in my prayers today.
:praying:
 
  • #393
  • #394
How long is this gonna take? Is it good or bad news based on how long the jury takes to make a decision..... As a Cub fan, I'm accustom to patience, but this is different. I want this for Tori, Dean, Dayna and fam... more than I want a Cubs World series in the next millenium, forget about centuries.
 
  • #395
SAN DIEGO - Jurors went home Wednesday without reaching a verdict in the trial of a Bonita man accused of strangling the mother of his child and killing his 10-month-old son after she threatened to bring a paternity case.

Dennis Potts, 25, faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted of murdering 22-year-old Tori Vienneau and their child, Dean Springstube.

Jurors will return to the courtroom of Judge Bernard Revak on Thursday for a third day of deliberations.
 
  • #396
I had such a special feeling that today would be the dayas it is an odd day 09-09-09. I am keeping 2 candles lit over-night for Tori and Dean. Justice will be served.


~Long-time lurker-follower of this horrible tradgedy!!!:blowkiss:
 
  • #397
As per an email I received:

THE VERDICT IS IN and will be read at 1:30 this afternoon, 9/10/09 at 330 west broadway department 27
 
  • #398
As per an email I received:

THE VERDICT IS IN and will be read at 1:30 this afternoon, 9/10/09 at 330 west broadway department 27

Info now posted/verified:
SAN DIEGO - Jurors announced late Thursday morning they have reached a verdict in the trial of a Bonita man accused of strangling the mother of his child and killing his 10-month-old son after she threatened to bring a paternity case.

Jurors will return to the courtroom of Judge Bernard Revak at 1:30 p.m. to announce their verdict in the case..

http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/story/Potts-verdict-San-Diego-Bonita/MxeEy2kcn0G6VNhxRJ3PlA.cspx
 
  • #399
  • #400
It's been a long 3 years but at last Tori and Dean received the justice they deserved. Life in prison is going to be a very long time for Dennis Potts, that is if he manages to live his normal life span. I hope that they place him in general population.

Dana, Roy & all the others who loved Tori & Dean so deeply, I hope that this verdict can give you some peace in your hearts.

Tori & Dean have touched the hearts of people all over the world. I know that I am speaking for others too in saying that I will never forget them.

I would also like to tell you Dana that I admire & respect you. You are an amazing woman and I hope if I ever have to face anything as painfull as this that I can do it with the grace and strength that you have.

You know how to reach me, I will always be there for you.

 

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