VERDICT WATCH Closing Arguments- Chase Merritt Charged W/Murder of Joseph, Summer, Gianni and Joe Jr McStay

[wary]

Hung, I don't know who this benefits, probably no one.

Hung jury benefits the prosecution. Chase gets to sit in jail where he belongs. Defense either has to figure out another smoke-and-mirrors defense, or be even more thoroughly demolished by the prosecution, next time around. I doubt that the judge would let the defense go on and on about DK and Tracy Ricobene next time around.

 

[Tortoise]

Showing motive - erase the debt and not to be sidelined from business.

Get rid of Joe and keep the business.

65% to 15%

 

[Chelly]

Had some doubts in trial's early months about this prosecution team. However, Imes is putting forth a comprehensive closing. Easy to comprehend and certainly not boring.

 

[MissJames]

"Who benefited from these murders?" Certainly not Chase Merritt.

He did benefit because he owed a lot of money . He was losing his job either way.
RAGE is often a motivator & this was a particularly brutal murder.
Summer’s JAW was broken . Chase hated the way she talked to her husband . He knew she didn’t like him & probably blamed her for his problems with Joey.
Manipulating con men always need someone else to blame.

 

[Tortoise]

Telling the detectives his rent won't get paid, juxtaposed with a page of casino withdrawals.

 

[smr]

Correct. I was addressing your statement about easier ways to stay out of prison.

Well I was replying to la2cabo. Please check.

 

[smr]

He did benefit because he owed a lot of money . He was losing his job either way.
RAGE is often a motivator & this was a particularly brutal murder.
Summer’s JAW was broken . Chase hated the way she talked to her husband . He knew she didn’t like him & probably blamed her for his problems with Joey.
Manipulating con men always need someone else to blame.

Confirmation bias, again.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

So you think someone would torture and murder a family of 4 in order to be "out of prison for quite some time"? There's got to be an easier, better way.

Someone should have told Merritt that before he murdered them all.

imo

 

[Chelly]

CM was an enraged man, desperate for money to fuel his gambling addiction.

 

[Texas Red]

Hung jury benefits the prosecution. Chase gets to sit in jail where he belongs. Defense either has to figure out another smoke-and-mirrors defense, or be even more thoroughly demolished by the prosecution, next time around. I doubt that the judge would let the defense go on and on about DK and Tracy Ricobene next time around.

Unless CM is allowed to bond out, but I believe we've already debated this.

 

[Force Ten]

Past criminal history, especially non-violent, has no role in deciding guilt/no-guilt.

It does for me, and many others thinks so as well.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

That was an awesome closing!!!!

imo

 

[Chelly]

Defense will begin its closing after 5 min break.

 

[smr]

"What you have, ladies and gentlemen, is an overwhelming convincing circumstantial evidence..."
LOL if it's really that convincing, you would not have to add that word "convincing".

 

[geevee]

Well done, Mr. Imes!

 

[Bernina]

It does for me, and many others thinks so as well.

Ditto.

 

[geevee]

Defense will begin its closing after 5 min break.

They sure don't want the jury to go home pondering everything Imes said, best to cloudy the waters while they have the chance. Not sure what good it'll do them though, they can't very well point at DK anymore. Not with a shred of credibility, anyway.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Me too!

I'm not! I have full faith these jurors are all reasonable minded people. Imes laid it all out for them very succinctly and clear.

IMO

 

[Tortoise]

"What you have, ladies and gentlemen, is an overwhelming convincing circumstantial evidence..."
LOL if it's really that convincing, you would not have to add that word "convincing".

I share your interest in the spoken word.

 

[Texas Red]

"What you have, ladies and gentlemen, is an overwhelming convincing circumstantial evidence..."
LOL if it's really that convincing, you would not have to add that word "convincing".

The judge asked the defense if they'd like to start their closing tomorrow, they declined, smart move.