Defense Atty up saying his opening will be very short . .. jurors may not like EJ, he is asking them to focus on the elements charged. Not much of a dispute . . .defense agrees with much if not all of the evidence presented . . . no dispute about the fights, EJ wanted to give Gabriel up for adoption and Logan didn't, no dispute TPS wanted to adopt and forged documents to adopt. No dispute about the timeline of events . . . Dec 18 - 19 2009, EJ left AZ and took Gabriel to Texas. She was entitled to take Gabriel anywhere she wanted . . . no violation of any orders on those dates. On 12/20/09 there was an order entered EJ was ordered to return Gabriel to Logan. EJ was in Texas on that date and failed to give Gabriel to Logan - no dispute. 12/26/09 last date EJ was with Gabriel @ hotel in Texas. There will be no resolution of where Gabriel is in this case. Gabriel's whereabouts . . . 800 lb Gorilla in this case will not be resolved. Just not allowed to speculate about that issue .. . cannot be any partof this case.
12/27/09 - EJ was @ Tornado (?) bus station . she bought 1 bus ticket . . . Gabriel was not with her . . . no dispute about the text EJ sent to Logan saying she killed Gabriel sent 11:53 am. There was a telephone conversation recorded by Logan that gave detail to Logan . . . no dispute from defense. Bus left after texts sent and phone calls made. . . EJ starts her journey to Florida. EJ found in Miami Beach FL . . . . no evidence of baby Gabriel. EJ spoke to police . . . says she didn't kill Gabriel . . . gave him to a couple in a park in San Antonio TX . . . not an issue in this case.
Other pieces of evidence in this case. . . . was she a good mom? other pieces evidence . . was she a good girlfriend to Logan ? Did she say mean things? Did she lie to Logan . . . this case isn't about whether you like EJ or not . . . doesn't matter to the defense atty. Focus on crimes charged as the jurors jobs. Asking jurors not to be distracted . .. . there will be lots of distractions. There will be emotions in this case . . .this isn't about emotions or speculations. Tells jurors they have a duty not to be emotional in this case. Lawyers will complete story . . . witnesses will testify along those lines. Defense is not concerned about those issues or witnesses . . . only one thing elements/evidence in this crime. There may be no questions at all to the witnesses or very few questions. Do not speculate about current status or whereabouts of Gabriel Johnson. Not a case whether you like EJ . .. . when he comes back in closing . . .which will be much longer than opening statements. focus on elements on crimes charged . . . walk thru each element of each crime. each element of each crime. Nothing more or less than that.