GUILTY FL - April Barber, 27, shot to death on beach, St Johns County, 17 Aug 2002

[kato]

Well, Unger was found guilty so hopefully we'll get another guilty one soon.

These morons don't learn! They all think they'll be smarter than the wife/girlfriend killer that was busted before them.

 

[CordovaMom]

I love Vinnie Politan -- he wondered where the blanket was if Justin and April were going to have sex on the beach. He took a lot of playful ribbing from Lisa Bloom, Jean Casarez and guest about that. I would have loved to been there to see him blush.

 

[nanandjim]

I love Vinnie Politan -- he wondered where the blanket was if Justin and April were going to have sex on the beach. He took a lot of playful ribbing from Lisa Bloom, Jean Casarez and guest about that. I would have loved to been there to see him blush.

I surely hope that the prosecution mentioned that the beach sand consisted of sharp shells or that the jury is familiar with this beach. You are not going to get me to believe that they were going to have sex at that beach or on the hard boardwalk that night. Justin takes everyone for an idiot.

 

[nanandjim]

NanandJim -- the jury didn't hear about the break ins, at April's house the only thing taken during the break in was a stun gun. I do wonder if the stun gun was used on April to immobilize her, thus no sign of struggle, there were "punctate" wounds found on her neck or upper body somewhere I believe. Is it possible the punctate wounds were from a stun gun?

You know, I also thought that it was Justin who broke into her home and stole some items. Perhaps, he did use the stun gun on her. I wonder when the break-in occurred (how much in advance of the actual murder).

 

[CordovaMom]

The jury requested to hear testimony from three expert witnesses, Dr. Stiner (Medical examiner from St. John's county), Alexander Jason (defense death scene reconstructionist ), Jerry Findley (bloodstain spatter expert for the prosecution). Sounds like they're hung up on blood stain evidence etc.

 

[christine2448]

The jury requested to hear testimony from three expert witnesses, Dr. Stiner (Medical examiner from St. John's county), Alexander Jason (defense death scene reconstructionist ), Jerry Findley (bloodstain spatter expert for the prosecution). Sounds like they're hung up on blood stain evidence etc.

Interesting

 

[nanandjim]

Okay, if it is proven that she was almost drowned (which she was, IMO), does this mean that Justin has to be the murderer? April was immediately paralyzed from the shot to the head. So, she couldn't have taken in any seashells or water after the shot. This means that this happened before the shot. Justin said nothing about April almost drowning, did he??

Here's an interesting article concerning April's boss at the time of her death.
http://www.okgazette.com/news/templates/news.asp?articleid=634&zoneid=3

 

[CordovaMom]

I'm going to play devil's advocate here, but what if she was shot while in the water, didn't die instantly, fell facedown, was alive for a few minutes and actually was able to take in enough water to be a victim of near drowning? Medical examiner said that breathing would stop in minutes or seconds as a result of the gunshot wound April received. I think that the prosecution is all hung up on their theory that Justin shot her at the boardwalk, that may be their downfall. But I think they're trying to prove he lied about the sequence of events and the location on the beach where she was shot. If the jury decides to believe Alexander Jason, the defense reconstructionist, on this point, then the prosecution is in trouble.

 

[CordovaMom]

Jurists took lots of notes during read back of Dr. Stiner's testimony. Specifically took notes on the blood, abrasions, and foam evidence per Jean Ceasaraz (I always spell her name wrong). The jury is at lunch, read back of Alexander Jason and Jerry Findley testimony to resume after lunch.

 

[CordovaMom]

Court room is filling up.....attorneys are on their way to the court room --- one juror showed up this morning in shirt and tie --- court tv is speculating on a verdict being reached.

 

[JDB]

Court room is filling up.....attorneys are on their way to the court room --- one juror showed up this morning in shirt and tie --- court tv is speculating on a verdict being reached.

Dang it I knew I should have stayed home today. Gawd I hope the convict this guy.

 

[kato]

Court room is filling up.....attorneys are on their way to the court room --- one juror showed up this morning in shirt and tie --- court tv is speculating on a verdict being reached.

Please keep us worker bees updated. TIA

 

[nanandjim]

...Gawd I hope the convict this guy.

I do, too. This guy thinks that he is clever. Let's hope that the jurors show him that he is not.

 

[christine2448]

Please keep us worker bees updated. TIA

Yeah, please let us know what's goin' on...thanks for the updates everyone! TGIF!!!!

 

[izzyB]

i had to run some errands when they first said the court room was filling up. a half hour later i am back and find out that the jurors are on a smoke break. so i guess that means no verdict yet?

i have to go out again so keeping my fingers crossed that nothing is decided within the next half-hour LOL.

really, i do not care when the jury comes back, just so long as they do their best with the evidence. of course i think he is guilty, but i unfortunately have more evidence of that than the judge allowed the jury to have.

 

[CordovaMom]

No verdict yet, attorneys were in the court room but are not now. People have gathered in the court room --- both families. We will get a 15 minutes heads up that a verdict has been reached when a verdict is handed down, as of now no verdict, jurors just came back from a smoke break.

 

[CordovaMom]

Jury came into the court room --- every one rose, jurors were then escorted out -- very odd

 

[CordovaMom]

Jury has just entered the court room again......something is up -- all family is present

 

[kato]

Jury has just entered the court room again......something is up -- all family is present

Thank you, thank you. Keep the info. coming.

 

[CordovaMom]

LOL -- jury just ordered lunch -- go to lunch people!!