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

[Layla123]

As fascinating and interesting as crime stories are to some of us, not everyone is as interested. There will be those who have heard of the case, but not looked into it enough or had the interest to form an actual opinion.

This is part of why we are able have unbiased jurors in our system hearing cases all day every day.
imo

I’m not so sure. A lot of people have been wrongly convicted over the years, but I know it’s not perfect, but it’s the best there is.

 

[DexterMorgan]

For whatever it’s worth, AB had a forensics expert on who said there may be oil residue from finger and palm prints on the girls necks, and the super glue fusion technique may just lift them off and preserve them. Might happen.

And where would his palm prints be?

 

[tmar]

I would even say that it is not an uncommon or suspicious behavior... most the time when my son had cought a common cold we would visit his doctor since he suffered a lung infection earlier this year. We both stayed in the hospital for over a week. He felt very bad. And yes, now I'm a little overprotective but that doesn't mean I'm already mentally ill and would inflict serious harm on my child. I just don't want to miss anything because I don't want to experience something similar again. I really don't know why this got brought into this discussion ... I believe a lot of parents are like Shannan and me.

Be on the alert, like SW.
I know of a case, where for example, a 21 year old, came in with a 'bad cold', is discharged home, 24 hours later is dead.
There are many more examples: seek Medical Advice when ill, for all your loved ones.
Sometimes the Diagnosis is incorrect, but you Plod on, seeking further help.

 

[Amonet]

I don’t think so. The motion filed by the prosecution was to seal the autopsy reports. The autopsy (done by a coroner) is cause of death, manner of death, and toxicology (to my knowledge).

Everything else is part of the investigative report and is sealed under HIPAA. That’s not what we’re discussing here. MOO

I don't believe HIPAA extends to autopsy reports in cases like this. Emily Glass' autopsy report was made public. She died by gunshot to the head, the weights of her organs, bruises on her body, even the striae on her belly were included in the autopsy report that was made public.

I think Jon Benet Ramsey's autopsy report was before HIPAA? But the autopsy of a little girl was made public, including details of her genitalia and possible signs of sexual abuse noted by the ME.

We are not just talking about case and manner of death, we're talking about a full body post-mortem examination by a medical examiner/coroner.

It's not the same as the notes that are made during the autopsy, it doesn't include things like "after doing a Y-incision I found ..." But there's no privacy for the deceased in it.

 

[tmar]

Well there's a lot more in an autopsy report than COD. But I would venture to guess that most people reading the news and autopsy reports would conclude that SW strangled his family and the few that didn't conclude that would not be the types the prosecution wants on the jury.

OOPS Gitana, I think you mean CW.
Have another coffee.

 

[Johnny1181]

Sorry if this is a silly question.

If CW decided he wanted to tell the truth and not go through a jury trial, would his defense team encourage him to rather go through trial and be found guilty or innocent by jury?

Does a defense team ever advise a client to plead guilty and avoid a jury trial (in a possible DP case) because the case is so riddled with the defendant's guilt that its pointless going to trial and will just incur more pain and suffering?

I don't think this is a silly question.

Another question for our attorneys,"piggy backing" off this, do defense attorneys want to hear directly from their client that they are guilty if they are? Does this impact their defense in a trial if the attorney knows they are guilty but is presenting otherwise?

Hope this question makes sense.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

I’m not so sure. A lot of people have been wrongly convicted over the years, but I know it’s not perfect, but it’s the best there is.

This is exactly the reason why I still have one *ss cheek on the fence. Until I know more I can’t jump off .

 

[Layla123]

And where would his palm prints be?

God, I don’t know. Maybe on the shoulders, beneath the neck, or maybe on the upper chest, beneath them the neck? AB’s expert didn’t say.

 

[nwmouse]

I don't think this is a silly question.

Another question for our attorneys,"piggy backing" off this, do defense attorneys want to hear directly from their client that they are guilty if they are? Does this impact their defense in a trial if the attorney knows they are guilty but is presenting otherwise?

Hope this question makes sense.

Thanks Johnny1181, you expressed this far more eloquently than I did!

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Not *wanting* it released isn’t enough - it’s assumed to be public unless there’s a really good reason to seal it... so someone (media or even a member of the public) can make the request, custodian still has to argue why it shouldn’t be released.

Are any lawyers here able to locate Colorado case law within the past 4 years where the autopsy results were not released? Under what circumstances? That might help us understand what the Tipping Point is.

 

[MassGuy]

This is exactly the reason why I still have one *ss cheek on the fence. Until I know more I can’t jump off .

Sure, there have definitely been plenty of wrongful convictions. But not one of those cases involved the suspect doing anything like this.

I can say that with a great deal of confidence, as not only cannot I not find precedent, but it also defies all logic.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Are any lawyers here able to locate Colorado case law within the past 4 years where the autopsy results were not released? Under what circumstances? That might help us understand what the Tipping Point is.

@Amandaaa - didn’t you say you couldn't find one?

 

[Tippy Lynn]

Sure, there have definitely been plenty of wrongful convictions. But not one of those cases involved the suspect doing anything like this.

I can say that with a great deal of confidence, as not only cannot I not find precedent, but it defies all logic.

I’ve never heard of a case like this.

 

[MsBetsy]

I think anyone who has heard will have an opinion. It’s only natural.

I think that depends largely on how much and exactly what they have heard.

 

[Johnny1181]

Thanks Johnny1181, you expressed this far more eloquently than I did!

Oh your question is worded perfectly as is! I'm curious to hear the answer!

 

[MassGuy]

I’ve never heard of a case like this.

There’s a reason for that. His scenario, simply does not happen. Not with what he did after the fact.

 

[mickey2942]

I don't see a defense attorney assisting CW to acquiesce here. Whether it would be in his best interest or not. Perhaps, CW is convinced that a jury will be open minded to his tale of woe.

He would be better served by taking a plea, if one is offered.

 

[MsBetsy]

OOPS Gitana, I think you mean CW.
Have another coffee.

I think I did the same thing once. At least we all know who she means.

 

[Tippy Lynn]

There’s a reason for that. His scenario, simply does not happen. Not with what he did after the fact.

Agreed, but I have “what if” going on in my head. Even though I know it’s highly unlikely.

 

[MerryB]

I don't believe HIPAA extends to autopsy reports in cases like this. Emily Glass' autopsy report was made public. She died by gunshot to the head, the weights of her organs, bruises on her body, even the striae on her belly were included in the autopsy report that was made public.

I think Jon Benet Ramsey's autopsy report was before HIPAA? But the autopsy of a little girl was made public, including details of her genitalia and possible signs of sexual abuse noted by the ME.

We are not just talking about case and manner of death, we're talking about a full body post-mortem examination by a medical examiner/coroner.

It's not the same as the notes that are made during the autopsy, it doesn't include things like "after doing a Y-incision I found ..." But there's no privacy for the deceased in it.

I was referring to the investigative report, not the autopsy.