On the last thread, there was a lot of discussion about the Hughes' emails to and from TA. I rewatched the testimony by Chris and Skye Hughes as well. I am confused as to why they would respond to Nurmi's emails that were obviously a fishing expedition. If they were truly Travis' friends, why did they speak to JA about Travis causing him to tell them they had crossed the line? Why would they believe Nurmi's insinuations that TA was a pedophile and respond?
Of all the things in this trial, this has me most concerned. Could their emails be enough to derail the conviction of JA? I know we are only hearing them characterized and not quoted, but will their words characterized by ALV be the coup de gras for the defense.
Well, I will not say that the emails can't have an impact on the case, especially if [and that's a big if] they say what they are characterized as, so far. However, let's evaluate the worst possible scenario, that the emails do in fact show that Skye and Chris told JA that Travis was a "womanizer," or something to that effect, and there is also evidence that they believed the "forged" letters of pedophilia.
Assuming all that gets to the jury, it still doesn't show that Travis was physically abusive to JA or anyone else. It also does not erase the testimony from Deanna and Mimi who said that Travis was never physically abusive. Nor does it erase any of the mountains of premeditation evidence that points ONLY to 1st degree murder.
As far as the "pedo" letters go...well, if they believed them then it only shows that they were duped. Imagine if someone called you and said, "Hey, you know that [insert a very close friend of yours] is a pedophile right? You would likely respond, "There's no way." But, if that same person told you, "Would it change your mind if we have letters, handwritten by your friend, that admits to being a pedophile?" I think any rational person would say, "Well, if that is true, then I guess I would have to believe it." You might not expect that those letters were actually not true. I don't think that kind of exchange would indicate anything about Chris and Skye somehow believing that they had suspicions, or were not surprised, or anything other than just being confronted with what "appeared" to be strong evidence.
IMO, all this will be flushed out and stamped out in rebuttal. Chris and Skye can certainly offer context that will dispel the "worst case scenario" that we can all imagine concerning these emails. I trust that JM will bring it all home in the end. :rocker::twocents: