GUILTY FL - Carlie Brucia, 11, Sarasota, 1 February 2004

[j2mirish]

Well, at least his attorney showed up for the verdict....

cha--ching !!

 

[chicoliving]

True, some people don't do that. Have you noticed how demure Geragos was on Larry King a few weeks ago? Sort of like testing the water. I think no jumped up and presented him in a good light and that is why we haven't heard from him since.

Smith's attorney seems to be OK as far as defense attorney's go. I believe his arguments will be good in the penalty phase. I don't think they will work but his intelligence and commitment are obvious.

I watched only a few minutes....I just couldn't stand to listen to his voice, it brought back all the bs he had done thru out CDMSP trial.

At least this attorney has some DP cases under his belt and wasn't so showy during the trial. I don't think all the drugs in the world that this has done will outweigh what he did to Carlie. She was a baby, 11 years old. He should get the DP just for telling his brother it was rough sex. Blech

 

[concernedperson]

I watched only a few minutes....I just couldn't stand to listen to his voice, it brought back all the bs he had done thru out CDMSP trial.

At least this attorney has some DP cases under his belt and wasn't so showy during the trial. I don't think all the drugs in the world that this has done will outweigh what he did to Carlie. She was a baby, 11 years old. He should get the DP just for telling his brother it was rough sex. Blech

I agree. The Smith attorney will do what he can to save his life but I don't think it will work. This wasn't impaired enough he was acting on impulse. Like most killers do. He said I thought she was older...WTF? Did that make a difference in killing someone? I hope Florida fries him as soon as practicable.

 

[j2mirish]

I agree. The Smith attorney will do what he can to save his life but I don't think it will work. This wasn't impaired enough he was acting on impulse. Like most killers do. He said I thought she was older...WTF? Did that make a difference in killing someone? I hope Florida fries him as soon as practicable.

Amen....

 

[IdahoMom]

I watched only a few minutes....I just couldn't stand to listen to his voice, it brought back all the bs he had done thru out CDMSP trial.

At least this attorney has some DP cases under his belt and wasn't so showy during the trial. I don't think all the drugs in the world that this has done will outweigh what he did to Carlie. She was a baby, 11 years old. He should get the DP just for telling his brother it was rough sex. Blech

I wholeheartedly agree. He is a worthless .

Thank God for this sensible jury!

 

[Jeana (DP)]

The defense attorney didn't do a closing. That's unheard of. He may have a good reputation, but I think he made a big mistake. He may not have had a lot to work with, but I think he should have opened his mouth. I'm not sure what sort of sob stories the guy has in the works to try and save this SOB's life, but I'm dying to see what this defense attorney will do next.

 

[j2mirish]

The defense attorney didn't do a closing. That's unheard of. He may have a good reputation, but I think he made a big mistake. He may not have had a lot to work with, but I think he should have opened his mouth. I'm not sure what sort of sob stories the guy has in the works to try and save this SOB's life, but I'm dying to see what this defense attorney will do next.

I am very anxious to hear what he says too- the only thing he can try, imo, is the high on drugs scenario.....but it will fly like a pig with the jury :boohoo:

 

[mysteriew]

More than a year after the abduction of her 11-year-old daughter was captured on a grainy video tape, Susan Schorpen wept softly as the juror read the verdict: Joseph Smith, a mechanic with a long criminal record, was guilty of murder.

"Thank you," she said quietly before jurors left the courtroom.

Jurors planned to reconvene Nov. 28 to sentence Smith, 39, who could receive the death penalty. His attorney, Adam Tebrugge, said he would argue for a life sentence without parole.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-11-18-florida-murder_x.htm?csp=34

Attorney General Charlie Crist filed an emergency motion Thursday to stay a Second District Court of Appeal ruling in favor of plaintiffs who wish to view crime scene and autopsy photos and videotapes of Carlie Brucia. The court overturned the original ruling of the trial court which prohibited access to the photographs and tapes.
http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/111705AutopsyPhotos.html

The mother of a slain Florida girl says she has "some bitterness" toward the criminal justice system because the killer was still free despite a probation violation.

She says the incident should never have happened because the man she calls "this animal" shouldn't have been on the street.

Schorpen says sex offenders can't be rehabilitated and should never be released from prison.
http://www.wkrc.com/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=3CD5E71F-1603-4990-A46F-5411B0C68E1B

 

[j2mirish]

Drug use to figure in penalty phase

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Link to story about victim impact statements:

SARASOTA, Fla. — Joseph Smith wiped tears from his eyes as the parents of the 11-year-old girl he raped and murdered described for jurors Monday what life has been like without the energetic, straight-A student who usually walked around smiling and singing.

Joseph Brucia and Susan Schorpen, who separated when Carlie Brucia was 3 months old, were among six witnesses prosecutors called to testify during the penalty phase of Joseph Smith's capital murder trial.

The defense called four witnesses who spoke about Smith in loving tones, portraying him as a devoted father, competent auto mechanic, a loving God son, a lover of animals.

Prosecutors are trying to convince the jury — the same panel that convicted Smith of rape, kidnapping and murder on Nov. 17 — that the crimes were so heinous and cruel that they warrant a death sentence for the 39-year-old defendant.


http://www.courttv.com/trials/brucia/112805_sentencing_ctv.html

 

[j2mirish]

Link to story about victim impact statements:

SARASOTA, Fla. — Joseph Smith wiped tears from his eyes as the parents of the 11-year-old girl he raped and murdered described for jurors Monday what life has been like without the energetic, straight-A student who usually walked around smiling and singing.

Joseph Brucia and Susan Schorpen, who separated when Carlie Brucia was 3 months old, were among six witnesses prosecutors called to testify during the penalty phase of Joseph Smith's capital murder trial.

The defense called four witnesses who spoke about Smith in loving tones, portraying him as a devoted father, competent auto mechanic, a loving God son, a lover of animals.

Prosecutors are trying to convince the jury — the same panel that convicted Smith of rape, kidnapping and murder on Nov. 17 — that the crimes were so heinous and cruel that they warrant a death sentence for the 39-year-old defendant.


http://www.courttv.com/trials/brucia/112805_sentencing_ctv.html

did anybody see the ex girl friend the defense put on the stand>> it was when she was 14 thru 18 years old back in the early 80's--- lives in ny...cant someone tell me the point of that one?:doh:

 

[Jeana (DP)]

No, I'm sorry I didn't. I fail to see, however, how the defense can have the AUDACITY to put someone on the witness stand who would say that this man who brutally raped and then murdered a little girl loved animals. That, to me, is the epitome of depravity. I mean, yeah, he may rape and murder little girls, but he loved animals, so he can't be all bad.

 

[SadieMae]

I just watched in bits and pieces, but what really got me was showing his baby pictures...WTF! He's entitled to his character witnesses or whatever, but some of the people put on for his behalf I found were totally irrelevant!

 

[concernedperson]

It is really wrong that the victim's family wasn't allowed to speak without time limits and person limits. And in the multitudes. But the perp's family could bring out a whole lot including baby pictures. This just proves we have a long way to go for getting victim's rights out there.The laws and the judges are inconsistent and the perps seem to be winning. It is not right. This was an eleven year old girl and frankly, I don't care if it was a 37 year old prostitute. Victims deserve the right to a fair trial and punishment if someone murdered them. I don't care that they are drug addicts, at some point, you have to accept responsibilty for your actions.What about the victims? Don't they count?

 

[j2mirish]

It is really wrong that the victim's family wasn't allowed to speak without time limits and person limits. And in the multitudes. But the perp's family could bring out a whole lot including baby pictures. This just proves we have a long way to go for getting victim's rights out there.The laws and the judges are inconsistent and the perps seem to be winning. It is not right. This was an eleven year old girl and frankly, I don't care if it was a 37 year old prostitute. Victims deserve the right to a fair trial and punishment if someone murdered them. I don't care that they are drug addicts, at some point, you have to accept responsibilty for your actions.What about the victims? Don't they count?

cp- I thought the same thing too- I could not believe how the judge made the victims family and friends READ their statements, and they went thru each one before the jury heard them to edit what he thought was PERTINENT....he also limited how many people could give a statement....I simply did not understand-- then the girlfriend from 15 years ago is allowed on the stand to show pictures of them at a zoo, with animals....and prom pictures...the only thing I can say is all the 's people who got up and talked, were SO shut down when the PA got up on cross---

 

[j2mirish]

No, I'm sorry I didn't. I fail to see, however, how the defense can have the AUDACITY to put someone on the witness stand who would say that this man who brutally raped and then murdered a little girl loved animals. That, to me, is the epitome of depravity. I mean, yeah, he may rape and murder little girls, but he loved animals, so he can't be all bad.

Here is another thing I just dont understand- help me out here, Jeana----
Why as a defense attorney in this case, would you try to put people on the stand on his behalf, speaking about what a good dad he was?? The people who have been on the stand have been so pittiful, I cannot for the life of me, understand why this 20 yr plus, public defender....would really even bother-- it has been almost comical--But I really dont understand why he would try to show that the was a caring father.....when he has been convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a child-------- :furious: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :furious:

 

[concernedperson]

I believe at this point there are no mitigating circumstances and he will get the death penalty. Not even his mother was called to the stand. So, this is a good day for justice. Then the family can put up all the info they want to about Carlie and what a tragic loss it has been for them. Bless you Carlie.

 

[Details]

I loved the probation officer who said he had expressed a desire to get off drugs and straighten up his life.... duh, every single convict out there says that, to appear sympathetic to the police and everyone in the legal system! But he didn't ever enter a program, and that says what he really wanted.

 

[concernedperson]

I loved the probation officer who said he had expressed a desire to get off drugs and straighten up his life.... duh, every single convict out there says that, to appear sympathetic to the police and everyone in the legal system! But he didn't ever enter a program, and that says what he really wanted.

Also, it should be remembered that he had a very large book with every offender/addict program in the state and he never asked for help.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Here is another thing I just dont understand- help me out here, Jeana----
Why as a defense attorney in this case, would you try to put people on the stand on his behalf, speaking about what a good dad he was?? The people who have been on the stand have been so pittiful, I cannot for the life of me, understand why this 20 yr plus, public defender....would really even bother-- it has been almost comical--But I really dont understand why he would try to show that the was a caring father.....when he has been convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a child-------- :furious: :furious: :banghead: :furious: :furious:

They're going for sympathy, not for him, but for the children. Trying to try and make the jury believe that he could still be a father from prison and that it would be a shame for his children to have to not have him around even from prision.