Deceased/Not Found IL - Yingying Zhang, 26, Urbana, 9 June 2017 #10 *Still Missing*

[kittythehare]

juror update




The juror will be allowed to continue. The final line she heard before leaving court dealt with Zhang's mother being upset about not being a grandmother. The juror's own daughter is apparently dealing with a high-risk pregnancy. Both prosecution and defense agreed she can stay on(MM)

 

[tresir2012]

It’s difficult and drawn out, but essentially the motion I think you’re referencing pertains to how the Judge finally instructs the Jury to conduct voting: the Defense essentially wants them to be asked to consider all the evidence/testimony and vote their conscience or strongest belief (hoping that at least ONE juror will vote against the DP); the Prosecution wants the Judge to instruct jurors to debate/discuss among themselves in a specific effort to reach a unanimous decision — the Defense does NOT want a unanimous decision urged (knowing that would most likely be for DP) -- the Defense is hoping that if the jury doesn't understand the importance of unanimity than they won't bother to seek it.

But surely the judge will point out the importance of that so they do know right? However, it only takes one person in that jury to be against the DP in principle and that option would be gone. Was it a pre selection jury question, I wonder? Eg. Are you for or against the principle of a death penalty.

 

[tresir2012]

1. hat juror is being taken for individual questioning with the judge. His clerk confirmed she was crying as she left court. Federal defender Elizabeth Pollock said she's never seen a juror act like that before and has "serious questions" about her ability to be fair and impartial
   
   0 replies1 retweet0 likes
   
   Show this thread
2. 
   Matt Masterson‏ @ByMattMasterson 20m20 minutes ago
   U.S District Court Judge James Shadid immediately called for a brief recess to let the juror collect herself. We'll pick back up shortly.

You can be fair and impartial and still have feelings. That defence attorney is used to listening to brutal testimony and impact statements, the jurors aren't. Even her immovable client was crying and it was his fault.

 

[kittythehare]

Ronggao Zhang: "To tell you the truth, from the month of June until today, we basically have not rested." Says his wife is severely depressed. "I do not know how to live the remainder of my life," he says @WCIA3

pecial FBI Agent Andrew Huckstadt called to the stand. Video clips played of BC recorded bragging about killing Zhang to Terra Bullis. @WCIA3

(AE)

 

[kittythehare]

Later we hear a recorded call between BC and his wife while he was in jail in summer 2017. He talks about the recording Bullis made. "Think of what the news is going to do with that," he says, speaking of it being played during his trial. "I'm not gonna look good." @AE

BC asserts his innocence in recorded calls to his wife and parents, calling the accusations "political". "If she was dead anywhere near Champaign-Urbana, we would know about it by now." @WCIA3

this though..

On June 19th, 2019 (you read that right), call between BC and his ex-wife was recorded. It was the day Terra Bullis was scheduled to testify. "I hope she f***ing passes out up there," MZ says, "...and has to be carried out of the courtroom on a stretcher unconscious." @WCIA3

wowzers.

 

[kittythehare]

and this

Christensen tried to contain laughter when Zortman said they'd need a "plus-size stretcher". He told her now was not the time for him to be commenting about it


We're expecting to hear from Brendt's father-- Michael Christensen- tomorrow morning, right after federal prosecutors are expected to formally rest their case @WCIA3

all above from aaron eades, typing with single finger cos cat on me

 

[LadyL]

Later we hear a recorded call between BC and his wife while he was in jail in summer 2017. He talks about the recording Bullis made. "Think of what the news is going to do with that," he says, speaking of it being played during his trial. "I'm not gonna look good." @AE

BC asserts his innocence in recorded calls to his wife and parents, calling the accusations "political". "If she was dead anywhere near Champaign-Urbana, we would know about it by now." @WCIA3

this though..

On June 19th, 2019 (you read that right), call between BC and his ex-wife was recorded. It was the day Terra Bullis was scheduled to testify. "I hope she f***ing passes out up there," MZ says, "...and has to be carried out of the courtroom on a stretcher unconscious." @WCIA3

wowzers.

[bbm]

what the !@#$%^&*
there goes any sympathy I had for MZ
she should be thanking TB IMO!

 

[LadyL]

and this

Christensen tried to contain laughter when Zortman said they'd need a "plus-size stretcher". He told her now was not the time for him to be commenting about it


We're expecting to hear from Brendt's father-- Michael Christensen- tomorrow morning, right after federal prosecutors are expected to formally rest their case @WCIA3

all above from aaron eades, typing with single finger cos cat on me

[bbm]

what a nasty !@#$%^&*

 

[kittythehare]

now we shall see what Ben thinks

all about the juror

1. The judge met with the juror, Miller and Pollock, asked if she was OK now and could be fair, and she returned to the jury. (3/9)
   
   1 reply0 retweets0 likes
   
   Show this thread
2. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 4m4 minutes ago
   Assistant US Atty Eugene Miller also noted that it was the first time he'd participated in the capital sentencing of a person who murdered the daughter of the person testifying. (2/9)
   
   1 reply0 retweets0 likes
   
   Show this thread
3. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 4m4 minutes ago
   The juror who ran out was crying, and the defense thought it was one whose daughter currently has a high-risk pregnancy. The defense said she couldn't be fair and asked for some remedy. Pollock said it was the first time she'd seen that happen. (1/9)
   

 

[kaen]

1. CIA.com Retweeted
   Aaron Eades‏Verified account @WCIA3Eades 4m4 minutes ago
   Christensen tried to contain laughter when Zortman said they'd need a "plus-size stretcher". He told her now was not the time for him to be commenting about it @WCIA3
   
   0 replies1 retweet0 likes
   
2. WCIA.com Retweeted
   Aaron Eades‏Verified account @WCIA3Eades 4m4 minutes ago
   On June 19th, 2019 (you read that right), call between BC and his ex-wife was recorded. It was the day Terra Bullis was scheduled to testify. "I hope she f***ing passes out up there," MZ says, "...and has to be carried out of the courtroom on a stretcher unconscious." @WCIA3
   
   0 replies2 retweets1 like
   
3. WCIA.com Retweeted
   Aaron Eades‏Verified account @WCIA3Eades 7m7 minutes ago
   BC asserts his innocence in recorded calls to his wife and parents, calling the accusations "political". "If she was dead anywhere near Champaign-Urbana, we would know about it by now." @WCIA3
   
   0 replies1 retweet0 likes
   

She is pretty awful. He is as well. The ex was trying to look so professional........ She might have to change her name again.

 

[kittythehare]

1. aid he's not able to concentrate and recently fell down the stairs. "I do not know how to live the remainder of my life," he said. "Yingying... she's my pride and also my everything." (9/9)
   
   0 replies0 retweets0 likes
   
   Show this thread
2. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 6m6 minutes ago
   Her father also finished up his testimony, talking about how he and his wife have not been able to sleep well since she went missing. (8/9)
   
   1 reply0 retweets0 likes
   
   Show this thread
3. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 6m6 minutes ago
   "Our entire family does not know how to carry on," she said. Said it was hard to go on from one day to the next. (7/9)
   
   1 reply0 retweets0 likes
   
   Show this thread
4. 
   Ben Zigterman‏ @bzigterman 6m6 minutes ago
   Asked about the impact of her loss, her mother said, "It is really, really painful. It is really, really hard. It is so, so difficult." (6/9)
   

 

[Webthrush]

and this

Christensen tried to contain laughter when Zortman said they'd need a "plus-size stretcher". He told her now was not the time for him to be commenting about it
We're expecting to hear from Brendt's father-- Michael Christensen- tomorrow morning, right after federal prosecutors are expected to formally rest their case @WCIA3
all above from aaron eades, typing with single finger cos cat on me

bold added...
we heard about reports of emotions of several people today -- was there any reporting of emotion or expression at all on the part of BC's father? ...can't imagine what he thinks he'll say tomorrow that could move the jury.
...originally, they said this penalty phase might last as long as 2 wks., but sounds like it will likely end much sooner than that.

 

[kittythehare]

bold added...
we heard about reports of emotions of several people today -- was there any reporting of emotion or expression at all on the part of BC's father? ...can't imagine what he thinks he'll say tomorrow that could move the jury.
...originally, they said this penalty phase might last as long as 2 wks., but sounds like it will likely end much sooner than that.

Sadly, there is almost zero reporting on atmosphere within the courthouse.
All we're getting is words, the bare minimum.

 

[altojack]

Jeez. She's sheltered him and covered things up, now what will happen to MZ, hmm?

More than that I cannot say, not tonight. Im in a right state of emotions. I'm already a grandma and got another due early December. I've just been sobbing, knowing what that special emotional feeling feels like when your grandchild arrives.

 

[kittythehare]

Ben Zigterman on Twitter

Image of YY's family leaving court today.

 

[kittythehare]

Jeez. She's sheltered him and covered things up, now what will happen to MZ, hmm?

More than that I cannot say, not tonight. Im in a right state of emotions. I'm already a grandma and got another due early December. I've just been sobbing, knowing what that special emotional feeling feels like when your grandchild arrives.

Massive congratulations on grandchildren 'altojack.

Re the first part of your post-
I reckon she's screwed now.

 

[LadyL]

thank you @kittythehare for posting the tweets

 

[dm92]

Later we hear a recorded call between BC and his wife while he was in jail in summer 2017. He talks about the recording Bullis made. "Think of what the news is going to do with that," he says, speaking of it being played during his trial. "I'm not gonna look good." @AE

BC asserts his innocence in recorded calls to his wife and parents, calling the accusations "political". "If she was dead anywhere near Champaign-Urbana, we would know about it by now." @WCIA3

this though..

On June 19th, 2019 (you read that right), call between BC and his ex-wife was recorded. It was the day Terra Bullis was scheduled to testify. "I hope she f***ing passes out up there," MZ says, "...and has to be carried out of the courtroom on a stretcher unconscious." @WCIA3

wowzers.

Holy crap.

I lose more and more sympathy for Michelle every time she opens her mouth. I think she is delusional at best, and at worst, it may be that she wishes her husband had gotten away with it.....

 

[kittythehare]

FBI Agent Andrew Huckstadt returned to the stand this afternoon, and the prosecution played many of the gruesome tapes made the evening of the campus vigil, such as when he laughed while talking about how he killed Ms. Zhang.

They also played tapes of him in jail making calls asserting his innocence and casting doubt on the government's case against him. (2/14)

uly 3, 2017, four days after he was arrested, with his wife: "All I can say is I'm innocent." "They're desperate. That's why I'm here." (3/14)

7/17/17 with his dad: "The charges depend on if they know what happened to her." (4/14)

8/26/17 with his mom: "It's all circumstantial." "I didn't do it." (5/14)

9/2/17 with his wife: the recording is "probably going to be played during trial. … I'm not gonna look good." "I'm innocent. I didn't do anything wrong." (6/14)

9/5/17 with his mom: questions whether they can prove he kidnapped her, as the footage only shows her entering his car on her own. "If she was dead, she'd be found." "I don't understand what they think I did." (7/14)

10/3/17 with his mom: "I didn't do it" (8/14)

11/12/17 with his dad: "This seems like 99.9% chance political." (9/14)

6/9/19 with his now ex-wife, the day his ex-girlfriend testified during the trial: his wife says she hopes she "passes out up there" and is "carried away in a stretcher." (10/14)

Christensen repeatedly says he can't comment, but says if he could, he would make a joke. (11/1

His wife catches on, and says they'd need a "really big stretcher, a plus-size stretcher." (12/14)

Assistant Federal Defender Pollock agreed that his wife "sounded fairly nasty" in that clip and wanted to play a less nasty one, but Judge Shadid said it would make more sense during their case. (13/14)

The defense's case starts tomorrow, with testimony from Christensen's father (14/14)


all above from Ben.

 

[kittythehare]

Christensen Breaks Down During Emotional Testimony from Yingying Zhang’s Family

As he looked down at a photo of his daughter, Yingying, just before she left for the U.S. – the last time he saw her alive – Ronggao Zhang could not contain himself. He turned away, inhaled sharply and began crying on the witness stand