CO - Shanann Watts (34), Celeste"Cece" (3) and Bella (4), Frederick, 13 Aug 2018 *Arrest* #18

[mtnlites]

Agreed.

I'm not a lawyer so this may be a dumb question, but what do the defense lawyers do in a situation like this- where their client immediately created a "confession" that makes no sense? B/c now they're stuck with this ridiculous scenario. It seems to me CW has painted them in a corner, no?

I don't see how it will be possible for them to make a defense case out of his claim. Do they look for ways to just try to create some type of reasonable doubt? I just can't imagine what they're going to do to try to prove him innocent of the girls' murders. Maybe at this point they're just trying to get him to do a plea deal?

Yeah, they basically just have to poke holes in the prosecution's case and raise doubt. Defense doesn't have to prove that SW killed the girls, they just have to reframe the evidence that points to him doing it.

 

[nwmouse]

Agreed.

I'm not a lawyer so this may be a dumb question, but what do the defense lawyers do in a situation like this- where their client immediately created a "confession" that makes no sense? B/c now they're stuck with this ridiculous scenario. It seems to me CW has painted them in a corner, no?

I don't see how it will be possible for them to make a defense case out of his claim. Do they look for ways to just try to create some type of reasonable doubt? I just can't imagine what they're going to do to try to prove him innocent of the girls' murders. Maybe at this point they're just trying to get him to do a plea deal?

Perhaps the defense will try to paint CW as a mentally and verbally "abused" husband who "snapped" when he saw SW on the baby monitor, and in addition was under financial pressure??? MOO.

 

[Thepoet]

Agreed.

I'm not a lawyer so this may be a dumb question, but what do the defense lawyers do in a situation like this- where their client immediately created a "confession" that makes no sense? B/c now they're stuck with this ridiculous scenario. It seems to me CW has painted them in a corner, no?

I don't see how it will be possible for them to make a defense case out of his claim. Do they look for ways to just try to create some type of reasonable doubt? I just can't imagine what they're going to do to try to prove him innocent of the girls' murders. Maybe at this point they're just trying to get him to do a plea deal?

I'd love to see an answer to your question. IMHO the defense is stuck with his confession AND with a mountain of evidence the prosecution has obtained. Not to mention, where he put his daughters is going to sicken even the most jaded!

 

[dgfred]

Go the O.J. route... question everything LE did but whatever happens don't let the jury dwell on the actual evidence.

 

[dgfred]

The defense is never stuck with a confession when their client is a known liar.

 

[MassGuy]

Agreed.

I'm not a lawyer so this may be a dumb question, but what do the defense lawyers do in a situation like this- where their client immediately created a "confession" that makes no sense? B/c now they're stuck with this ridiculous scenario. It seems to me CW has painted them in a corner, no?

I don't see how it will be possible for them to make a defense case out of his claim. Do they look for ways to just try to create some type of reasonable doubt? I just can't imagine what they're going to do to try to prove him innocent of the girls' murders. Maybe at this point they're just trying to get him to do a plea deal?

I’m not a lawyer but I see three options here:
1. Stick with this ridiculous story.
2. Some sort of temporary insanity defense.
3. Plea

There simply aren’t any viable options that offer much hope for him. I’m more than ok with that!

 

[nwmouse]

Go the O.J. route... question everything LE did but whatever happens don't let the jury dwell on the actual evidence.

I think the OJ route will fall along the wayside when the jury sees his two little girls.

 

[MindHunter13]

For MerryB and PommyMommy,

Since I hate to give any diagnosis without formal assessment, I can comfortable say that I don’t really see signs of narcissism. I more so see signs of someone who is knowingly telling a lie and is hoping he is telling it convincingly enough for it to be believed.

There are many different cues I picked up on while watching the interview. Subtle moments where C.W. appeared to suppress a smile or smirk, others where he appeared to be thinking more than would be reasonable for facts that should have been readily available. There were other little ‘tells” but overall:

I would have to say that there is nothing overtly present to suggest extreme emotional disturbance but that is only assessed by viewing the video interviews and reading what he has publicly stated. There is no possible (nor legal) way I could offer an actual diagnosis without having performed an actual evaluation on C.W. for myself.

Please feel free to ask any questions!

 

[Seattle1]

Agreed.

I'm not a lawyer so this may be a dumb question, but what do the defense lawyers do in a situation like this- where their client immediately created a "confession" that makes no sense? B/c now they're stuck with this ridiculous scenario. It seems to me CW has painted them in a corner, no?

I don't see how it will be possible for them to make a defense case out of his claim. Do they look for ways to just try to create some type of reasonable doubt? I just can't imagine what they're going to do to try to prove him innocent of the girls' murders. Maybe at this point they're just trying to get him to do a plea deal?

We've heard it before: "My client is a liar and a cad, but that doesn't make him a murderer....." Or they'll say his confession was coerced. "They wouldn't let me talk to my Dad unless I said this..." It will be a real show in my opinion...

 

[mtnlites]

Go the O.J. route... question everything LE did but whatever happens don't let the jury dwell on the actual evidence.

Or go the CA route and throw everything but the kitchen sink at the jury and confuse the heck out of them.

 

[Colorado303]

Not sure if this has been discussed previously, but my thoughts today are on SW's shallow grave and on the bed sheet that was found

JMO - my thoughts are what really got him was the neighbor's security cam that showed that SW and the girls never left the house that day and that no one had been to the house. In one of the interviews, CW did speculate they could have left by the back door, where there were no security cams. But with a 6 foot tall fence in back with no gate, LE would not buy that theory. JMO.

JMO - I don't think CW realized the neighbor's security cam recorded the front of his house. I think after that was pointed out to him by LE, he brought up the "emotional conversation" to try to steer LE into thinking SW and the girls may have left on their own and just disappeared.

I think CW’s plan was to dispose of the bodies where no-one would ever find them and claim SW ran off with the girls, probably w/a fictitious lover. But because SW’s plane was late he had to stash her body someplace quick. May have intended to come back for SW and probably figured the girls would never be found in the tanks.

I believe this because in one of her Interviews NA said in their first phone conversation w/CW when she realized SW was missing, Chris made a point of telling that they were separating, and as I recall in his earliest interview he seemed to allude that she may have run off. Later interviews he focused more on hoping they were safe and maybe someone took them—After he realized his “hypothesis” that she left from the back door (and climbed the fence w/2 small girls) wouldn’t fly because the security bar was down on the sliding glass door and could only be placed like that by someone inside.

He’s no genius but somehow managed to function as an adult so I can’t imagine he didn’t know he needed to stage the scene when he got home. I think he had every intention of coming home, getting rid of the stuff in the trash, disposing of her purse/keys/phone and removing some of SW and the girls personal items so it would look like she hastily packed. Maybe even text something to himself from her phone saying I’m outta here — buh-bye. And/or buying a burner and texting “is he gone? I’ll pick you guys up down the street. Can’t wait to be with you and the girls” to her phone. Lots of things that could have muddied the waters.

Amazing to think how it might have played out so differently if the plane had been on time, NA wasn’t relentless and Frederick cops weren’t on the ball.

I hope that miraculous streak continues and there’s damning forensic evidence that pins this demon to the wall.

 

[dgfred]

Nah... Nicole and Ron looked and suffered badly too.

 

[The Saint]

The oil tank cameras are probably for the company taIn the nks. But a rancher wouldn't need a camera on his tanks unless he suspects theft or something.

But usually those ranchers know how many gallons were delivered and how many gallons used and when to make their next scheduled purchase.

Its usually clockwork with them ranchers and cameras aren't needed unless they know someone is out there stealing oil out of their tanks. And Cw knew this as well.

In the video taken by the couple driving around trying to find the crime scene tanks, it looked like the 2 ranches that border each other (Cervi Ranch and G. Ranch), have entrances that are controlled by a keycard (like a college or business parking lot) or a chained gate w/ a padlock.

 

[MassGuy]

I think the OJ route will fall along the wayside when the jury sees his two little girls.

The fact that he dumped the kids in oil, will be a huge emotional coup for the prosecution. The jury will certainly be riled by this fact, as there’s simply no glossing over that.

 

[nwmouse]

I’m not a lawyer but I see three options here:
1. Stick with this ridiculous story.
2. Some sort of temporary insanity defense.
3. Plea

There simply aren’t any viable options that offer much hope for him. I’m more than ok with that!

Perhaps the defense will say the Thrive patches caused him to go temporarily insane due to the ingredients. They'll put Thrive on the stand and say the patches are dangerous and caused CW to do the unthinkable deeds?? JUST MOO.

 

[MerryB]

I know it isn't the point but the new AP said that she called it off after she realized he was just in it for the sex. I would've called it off when I learned thst his idea of wooing me consisted of chicken tenders and an indoor playcenter.

Um, does she not know the purpose of Tinder?

 

[The Saint]

I believe it's a cattle ranch.

If you are talking Cervi Ranch, it has cattle (some are run by the neighboring G. Ranch as the owners are friends), horses, rodeos and weddings.

 

[mtnlites]

For MerryB and PommyMommy,

Since I hate to give any diagnosis without formal assessment, I can comfortable say that I don’t really see signs of narcissism. I more so see signs of someone who is knowingly telling a lie and is hoping he is telling it convincingly enough for it to be believed.

There are many different cues I picked up on while watching the interview. Subtle moments where C.W. appeared to suppress a smile or smirk, others where he appeared to be thinking more than would be reasonable for facts that should have been readily available. There were other little ‘tells” but overall:

I would have to say that there is nothing overtly present to suggest extreme emotional disturbance but that is only assessed by viewing the video interviews and reading what he has publicly stated. There is no possible (nor legal) way I could offer an actual diagnosis without having performed an actual evaluation on C.W. for myself.

Please feel free to ask any questions!

I REALLY appreciate not only your professional input but the fact that you're honest about the limitations that internet diagnosing offers. So many people have branded CW & SW "bi-polar, " borderline personality disorder", etc based on little more than a social media page and some interviews. As a former therapist, I generally didn't diagnose until I'd met with the client on several occasions and had them undergo various evaluations. I value both your insight AND your ethics.

 

[MassGuy]

Perhaps the defense will say the Thrive patches caused him to go temporarily insane due to the ingredients. They'll put Thrive on the stand and say the patches are dangerous and caused CW to do the unthinkable deeds?? JUST MOO.

I’ve seen stranger things. “The Ambien defense” for one. Although that seems far more believable than these patches.

 

[BUF]

I bet we see a shell of him in November. He will wittle away to nothing and look weak and meek at trial.

Yep, and clean shaven with a dark suit and nerdy glasses.

That's okay though. I'm sure the prosecution will get in photos and videos of him during this time....and past and present affair partners along with friends of SW & CW will confirm it.