GUILTY NC - Kathy Taft, 62, Raleigh, 6 March 2010 - #6

[gracielee]

IIRC, on the first day of the trial, prior to opening statements, Judge G asked JW if he was medicated, can't recall the exact words now, sorry. JW's attorney said something to the effect of 'he took something for a headache today.' All of this was in respect to 'if JW *understood* that his attorney was going to admit he'd committed the crime in his opening statement, and the judge wanted to know if JW understood and agreed with this plan. JW replied, had an exchange with the judge that he was aware & understood the ramifications of his attorney admitting he'd raped and beaten KT. It would be my expectation that if JW was on anything but 'something for a headache' it would have been disclosed at that time, no??

 

[NCB]

:grouphug: darling. I believe JW is of course heavily medicated right now, and also overcome with the knowledge that he really, really, really should have listened to his AA sponsor. Believe me you guys, my sponsors says JUMP, I just ask how high. :what:

Thanks a bunch--and hat is off to you for working the program (is that the lingo?)!! :woohoo:
My dad wasn't able to take that step, and it has always broken my heart. When I sought help, and participated in ACOA, it was viewed as a betrayal. I was told to never contact him again. I have so much respect for people who can face their demons--no matter their form. It takes a strong character. That is interesting info about the dynamic that develops with your sponsor. Thanks for sharing!

 

[seattlechiquita]

Thanks a bunch--and hat is off to you for working the program (is that the lingo?)!! :woohoo:
My dad wasn't able to take that step, and it has always broken my heart. When I sought help, and participated in ACOA, it was viewed as a betrayal. I was told to never contact him again. I have so much respect for people who can face their demons--no matter their form. It takes a strong character. That is interesting info about the dynamic that develops with your sponsor. Thanks for sharing!

ACOA is good stuff. I feel horrible dad wasn't able to surrender. Hell, I sometimes feel horrible for JW too. But at the end, while we are not responsible for having alcoholism, we are damn responsible for our recovery. Love to you sweetie pie, rock on :rocker:

 

[Madeleine74]

Dear Doctor, BACK OFF the microphone! Geez.

That loud popping sound is abrasive to everyone, including the viewing audience. I've been in that courtroom when witnesses hit or pop the mic and it makes you jump a bit.

 

[gracielee]

IMO, the same could be said for any pedophile, child abuser, rapist, murderer, etc. They drink, drug, and do their deed.....

 

[seattlechiquita]

IIRC, on the first day of the trial, prior to opening statements, Judge G asked JW if he was medicated, can't recall the exact words now, sorry. JW's attorney said something to the effect of 'he took something for a headache today.' All of this was in respect to 'if JW *understood* that his attorney was going to admit he'd committed the crime in his opening statement, and the judge wanted to know if JW understood and agreed with this plan. JW replied, had an exchange with the judge that he was aware & understood the ramifications of his attorney admitting he'd raped and beaten KT. It would be my expectation that if JW was on anything but 'something for a headache' it would have been disclosed at that time, no??

Good question. I wonder whether current medical care has evidentiary or procedural value -- but it would be interesting if this one claims "Well, now I was too stoned with the lithium so I couldn't assist in mu own defense".:banghead:

 

[Madeleine74]

All of these various diagnoses, mental illness, etc. are the reasons for JW's downward spiral but...

None of them provide a valid excuse that will get JW a not guilty verdict.

It may save his life, but this case isn't really a good DP case anyway. Compare it to cases like the Petit murders or Danielle Van Dam, which were and are good DP cases (i.e. worst of the worst).

This whole trial is a waste of time simply because there was no need for it. If JW agreed to plead guilty for a LWOP sentence (I heard the defense did try for this a year+ ago) the state should have accepted that and not gone forward with this as a DP case. It doesn't warrant it, IMO, and I'm pretty hard core when it comes to crime, so this is not coming from a place of a bleeding heart.

 

[gracielee]

All of these various diagnoses, mental illness, etc. are the reasons for JW's downward spiral but...

None of them provide a valid excuse that will get JW a not guilty verdict.

It may save his life, but this case isn't really a good DP case anyway. Compare it to cases like the Petit murders or Danielle Van Dam, which were and are good DP cases (i.e. worst of the worst).

Agree, I wouldn't have gone for death were I the DA. As you said, 'the worst of the worst'.

 

[seattlechiquita]

All of these various diagnoses, mental illness, etc. are the reasons for JW's downward spiral but...

None of them provide a valid excuse that will get JW a not guilty verdict.

It may save his life, but this case isn't really a good DP case anyway. Compare it to cases like the Petit murders or Danielle Van Dam, which were and are good DP cases (i.e. worst of the worst).

This whole trial is a waste of time simply because there was no need for it. If JW agreed to plead guilty for a LWOP sentence (I heard the defense did try for this a year+ ago) the state should have accepted that and not gone forward with this as a DP case. It doesn't warrant it, IMO, and I'm pretty hard core when it comes to crime, so this is not coming from a place of bleeding heart.

Funny you said that--- I was thinking that on my way to campus this morning. I do not see all elements for DP. Did the DT really tried to go for a plea and the state didn't go for it? Man, that was a mistake. I just don't see the jury going for the DP. Push me a little, and I don't see them going for 1st degree premeditated murder.

 

[gracielee]

Just listening to the Dr. speak right now, 'the ability to premeditate', the thought flashed through me that they are going for 'second degree murder'. Now THAT would be a travesty of justice IMO. He'd have the ability to get out someday.

 

[NCB]

ACOA is good stuff. I feel horrible dad wasn't able to surrender. Hell, I sometimes feel horrible for JW too. But at the end, while we are not responsible for having alcoholism, we are damn responsible for our recovery. Love to you sweetie pie, rock on :rocker:

Thanks--right back at ya. I agree with you. I miss my dad like crazy. He was my easy parent. Alcohol was never identified as an issue until after I ran away and their marriage imploded. Growing up was a mess--just like it was for many--and, so it seems, for JW. However, I would hazard a guess that some here could tell stories that would make JW's childhood sound pretty good by comparison. Why do some go off the rails and some don't? I certainly don't have the answer.

 

[seattlechiquita]

Just listening to the Dr. speak right now, 'the ability to premeditate', the thought flashed through me that they are going for 'second degree murder'. Now THAT would be a travesty of justice IMO. He'd have the ability to get out someday.

I am almost convinced that is exactly what they will get. 2nd degree.

 

[Madeleine74]

Someone on that news-related site that allows comments after articles, posted that Kathy Taft was friends with DA Willouby's wife and it's the DA's "personal vendetta" that propelled him forward on this DP aspect. The same person said KT was not supportive of the DP and the Taft family was not pushing for it and that (allegedly) JW's team tried to go for a LWOP plea over a year ago.

I have no idea if any of that is true or not. It's what I read.

Is KT's murder getting special prosecutorial pushing because of who she was and how well-connected she was? I sure hope not!

 

[Madeleine74]

THANK YOU Judge G for getting the doc to back off the mic.

My ears are much happier.

 

[NCB]

All of these various diagnoses, mental illness, etc. are the reasons for JW's downward spiral but...

None of them provide a valid excuse that will get JW a not guilty verdict.

It may save his life, but this case isn't really a good DP case anyway. Compare it to cases like the Petit murders or Danielle Van Dam, which were and are good DP cases (i.e. worst of the worst).

This whole trial is a waste of time simply because there was no need for it. If JW agreed to plead guilty for a LWOP sentence (I heard the defense did try for this a year+ ago) the state should have accepted that and not gone forward with this as a DP case. It doesn't warrant it, IMO, and I'm pretty hard core when it comes to crime, so this is not coming from a place of a bleeding heart.

Yeah, I would be very surprised at this point if they came back with the DP. The State's case was shorter than I imagined, and I feel JW is being painted as a "real" person far more than KT was during the State's case in chief.

 

[NCB]

A rock the size of a small melon? Those must have been some big pockets!

 

[Madeleine74]

Yeah, I would be very surprised at this point if they came back with the DP. The State's case was shorter than I imagined, and I feel JW is being painted as a "real" person far more than KT was during the State's case in chief.

That's how it works when a defendant's life is on the line. The murder of a person is already wrong so attention turns to proving the facts of the crime more than talking about the worth of the person. All the defense has to work with is trying to make the killer seem like a decent human when he's not busy raping and killing. :-/

 

[NCB]

That's how it works when a defendant's life is on the line. The murder of a person is already wrong so attention turns to proving the facts of the crime more than talking about the worth of the person. All the defense has to work with is trying to make the killer seem like a decent human when he's not busy raping and killing. :-/

Well, of course he's a decent human being, Maddie--he wears sweater vests! Sheesh--are you not following??!!

 

[seattlechiquita]

Dog update: BF said no, unless ex cannot place him with a family. So we are still waiting to see what gives. I'm actually warming up to the idea. I remember the dog and he is a funny guy.

 

[NCB]

Weimaraners are stunning dogs. I have zero experience with them, but here's a "could you live with me?" quiz for the breed:

http://www.weimrescue.org/quiz/