GUILTY FL - Dima Tower, 22, charged for murdering his 2 adoptive parents, North Port, 9 Sept 2023

[Megnut]

Closing arguments starting NOW

 

[arielilane]

Defense did their minimum level of homework on this. This is a disturbed person who can't even function in a courtroom.... is there so much past trauma? Mental defect? Illness? We haven't even been allowed to hear his past history of being troubled in Ukraine?

I am not vouching for his innocence but it seems no one in the room, not even Defense attorney, has delved into this aspect of Dima's psyche. Why are no professionals called? Any background on his past in Ukraine?

If I missed any mention of it pls let me know but IMO his rage didn't just pop up in 1 week... not even 6 months...

I lived in Russia & bordering towns of Russia/Ukraine and Estonia a few years after USSR ended. Even then, many locals wondered so many westerner adopting/taking away children from orphanages- and many told me they wondered if the ones who were most difficult to place within Russia were ones sent overseas.

Im surprised that the defense didnt go with an insanity defense. jmo

 

[arielilane]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1989337896650997772

 

[Megnut]

Final instruction and then deliberations will begin....

 

[arielilane]

I suspect once the case goes to the jury for deliberations we will have a really quick verdict- returning with murder 2.
Its only a guess at this time; and its subject to change.

 

[Megnut]

So the Defense's defense is manslaughter just because?

Defendant took the stand yesterday to say he sat in his car and thought about it before going in...

After killing his father, he went outside, brought his mother back in, delivered a diatribe before killing her too.

Premediation is all over this case.

1000 off ramps ....

This will be a swift verdict.

JMO

 

[arielilane]

SARASOTA, Fla. (Court TV) — A Florida jury is now deliberating the fate of a man accused of brutally murdering his adoptive parents, If convicted of the top counts, Dima Tower faces life in prison or possibly a death sentence.

Tower, 24, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder as well as fleeing from police in the stabbing deaths of Jennifer and Robbie Tower.

FL v. Dima Tower: Adopted Son Murder Trial

UPDATE: Prosecutors say that Dima Tower murdered his adoptive parents before leading officers on a police chase and fleeing into the woods.

www.courttv.com

 

[Weki]

I was watching the defendant's testimony on CourtTV and I was so disgusted by the comments section. So many people feeling sorry for this defendant. Wow. I can't believe how cold and unrepentant he was on the stand. JMO

 

[Megnut]

I suspect once the case goes to the jury for deliberations we will have a really quick verdict- returning with murder 2.
Its only a guess at this time; and its subject to change.

Might be a harder deliberation if he was a child... but he is an adult so at least the jury doesn't have that burden.

I predict LWOP. Prison may suit him. The structure and all. I don't see how he could ever function among the public, sad all around.

Dead parents who only wanted to love him.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

When the judge have the final instruction, before excusing them to the dekiberation room, did I see the jail/court staff escort Dima out of the courtroom? In front of the jury? In ankle shackles? I thought the judge was trying to prevent the jury from seeing that. (I didn't see his feet so maybe the jury couldn't either?)

Need to rewatch that.

ETA re-watched. Jury was dismissed moments before. Judge must have been addressing counsel and not the jury... and then Dima was led out. Whew.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

10:45 am in North Port. My verdict prediction: will the jury stick around for lunch? I'll say yes.

Verdict in under three hours, lunch included.

But under one hour won't surprise me. Not a lot of evidence to go through. Tragic but straightforward case.

JMO

 

[Serononin]

-- Hard testimony to watch. He is a deeply disturbed person. His trust has been shattered.
-- He comes across as combative, a know it all, issues with fear of authority.
-- I am curious about the crying. Not sure that its remorse for his crime or for self.
-- The young man does not appear to have matured at all.
-- Id say his parents were living a hell with him before he killed them.

Only an opinion

I wonder if the crying is necessarily even 'about' anything, or just a manifestation of extreme emotional dysregulation

 

[arielilane]

When the judge have the final instruction, before excusing them to the dekiberation room, did I see the jail/court staff escort Dima out of the courtroom? In front of the jury? In ankle shackles? I thought the judge was trying to prevent the jury from seeing that. (I didn't see his feet so maybe the jury couldn't either?)

Need to rewatch that.

ETA re-watched. Jury was dismissed moments before. Judge must have been addressing counsel and not the jury... and then Dima was led out. Whew.

JMO

Yes, shackled around his feet.

 

[JudyBolton]

A bit surprised this is taking time. Maybe a verdict right after lunch?

 

[Eli9]

Link at top says verdict is in

 

[Eli9]

bringing in the jury

 

[arielilane]

Yes, jury is returning to the courtroom. Verdict is in.

 

[whitelilac]

jurors being brought in

 

[arielilane]

The jury found him guilty of first degree murder of his parents.

Justice for Jennifer and Robbie Tower.

 

[arielilane]

Two min break. Judge wants to thank the jurors. Then discussion about whether sentencing will be scheduled now or later.