Cesar Laurean's Trial

[LaLaw2000]

McNeil throwing Christina out there as having been able to do the murder.

 

[panthera]

McNeil: defense believes that Maria suddenly shows up at Cesar's house on 12/14. Bringing up Maria's reputation for not telling the truth. Deception, troubled, depressed young lady. Prozac found in her car. Why would she go to Cesar's house? Ongoing disagreement with her mother about what to do with the baby. On 12/14, she had discussion w/ her mother about 3pm. Seemed depressed, distraught. Goes to the bank, takes out $700., wrote note left in Durham's house. Buys bus ticket. Had continued to tell mother untruth about pregnancy, i.e. bed rest, etc whereas it was not the case. What was her emotional state when she got to Cesar's house, who did she confront? Testimony by neighbor seeing 3 vehicles at house. What did she want when she got to Cesar's house? How did her car get to the bus station? Maria told bus agent about relationship not working out. Who was that? Cesar or the father of the child who didn't want further involvement with her? State wants jury to believe there was only one person who could have killed Maria. Asking if the mother of his child (Christina) wouldn't be upset about the rape allegations. Asserting that the crowbar wasn't so heavy that a female Marine couldn't have wielded it in a fit of rage; same training between men & women. Bringing up Christina having attorney. Going over DNA on crowbar; victim and one unknown contributor; defendant excluded. DNA belonging to Christina not sent to lab until July 2010; no conclusion reached by coud not be excluded. If Cesar had wiped crowbar no DNA would be there.

 

[snowshuze]

Yada yada yada, he didn't paint over the blood very well either....

 

[panthera]

McNeil: only 19 days before trial state discovers her DNA cannot be excluded. Back to timeline on 12/14. Bringing up testimony that Maria was seen at Christmas party around 6:30pm; Christina picked up child at 5:20pm. Who did Maria confront at the house? Jury must ask themselves are they entirely convinced Cesar struck the fatal blow. Another question jury must ask is if it was with premeditation and malice? Going over premeditation and what it means.

 

[snowshuze]

Yep, I'm thinking verdict today. This is very weak, IMO.

 

[panthera]

McNeil: why did Maria go to Cesar's house? No evidence he'd contacted her. What was she asking for or demanding? Far too many questions still unanswered. The actions afterward indicate panic not deliberation. More than one person here had motive and opportunity. Going over again we don't know exactly when murder occurred. Bringing up now felony murder charge against Cesar. Does anyone think this case is about robbery with a deadly weapon? Saying state brought this charge to secure LWOP; two options with same punishment. Case is not about robbery. Cesar had PIN number; implies consent. Can state prove perp took card by threatening with deadly weapon and then didn't use card for ten days? No connection of events. No juror should surrender his/her honest conviction because of opinion of other jurors.

 

[snowshuze]

How the heck are we gonna KNOW when there's a verdict?

TSG's gonna have to go camp out @ the courthouse, lol.

 

[snowshuze]

Another break, then Mr Hudson will wrap it up.

 

[panthera]

McNeil concludes asking jury to find Cesar not guilty if they can't prove premeditation or felony murder. Recess until 11:30am.

 

[panthera]

How the heck are we gonna KNOW when there's a verdict?

They usually have about an hour to get everyone back into the courtroom with most trials so I hope there would be some "bulletin" on wral's site.

 

[raisincharlie]

Did I miss it ? Did McNeil have any excuse for why Laurean fled to Mexico...and not Christina ? Thanks all for the updates !

 

[Marine wife]

I dont think that the jury is going to be gone long on this one...defence attorney didnt really do a good job, the prosecuter's case is very strong.

 

[snowshuze]

Did I miss it ? Did McNeil have any excuse for why Laurean fled to Mexico...and not Christina ? Thanks all for the updates !

He didn't touch on THAT.

 

[raisincharlie]

He didn't touch on THAT.

"Flee to Mexico and hide like a rat"

 

[panthera]

DA Hudson: Maria would love to tell you what happened on 12/14, unfortunately she can't because Cesar took this crowbar.....she'd love to be here with her family. A great Marine, maybe one day but not on Jan. 11 when he deserted his country during a time of war. He abandoned his wife, child, the Marine Corps, his country. We have to rely on circumstantial evidence. Follow the instructions of the law regarding circumstantial evidence; put the pieces together and the overwhelming guilt of the defendant. What happened on Jan. 11 that would cause the defendant to flee his country, his wife to go to her commander, the sheriff's office and cooperate that leads to their home and the grave of Maria?

 

[snowshuze]

Elvis has left the building.

 

[panthera]

DA Hudson: who had the motive? Talking about bus ticket agent. He sold Maria a ticket to El Paso, she told him she was pregnant by someone on base, she believed he (baby father) would to Mexico to be with her. Where have we heard that plan before? Maria is not here to defend herself. What does it matter that she lied? Cesar was married, he was her boss, he had sex with her. Did Cesar stand bold as a lion on Jan. 11 or did he flee? Why would he abandon his wife & child, look what a mess he left his wife. Left her to explain a dead woman's body in their back yard. They talk about what a bad person Maria is. The coward struck a pregnant woman in the back of her head with a crowbar. Bringing up why Christina wasn't charged because they can't find any evidence she's done anything; objection. She's never been charged with the murder in this case. Look at all the evidence in this case. Going over what circumstantial evidence is comparing it to strands of a rope; all pieces put together make strong rope you can't break.

 

[panthera]

DA Hudson: going over Maria's events on 12/14. Continual contact with her mother yet no contact after that afternoon. Says Ortega was mistaken about seeing Maria at the Christmas party. Hundreds of Marines asked if they'd seen her. Why would Maria go to the party after leaving note of desertion at Durham's house? No one saw Maria that night because she was dead. No one saw defendant that night either. Bringing on alleged rape; not on trial for rape. What matters is his motive. If the baby is born and Cesar is the father he has problems. If he had consensual sex he is faced with adultery. Defendant had plan to convince Maria to go to Mexico, go UA. Plan worked until something happened at his home. Body hidden somewhere at the home for two days, garage or outside somewhere. Paranoid about removing body from house. Cesar digs hole.........

Coverage cut out at 11:51 am. :furious:

 

[snowshuze]

Oh noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
No video.

 

[LaLaw2000]

GGGGRRRRR! Live feed has ended. So much for the promise of gavel to gavel coverage!