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

[Boodles]

Oh no - all three of the defense attorneys are going to speak during closing argument. All except Conner are sooooooooooo boring and redundant. I hope Buddy tells them to net it out, although he hasn't reeled them in thus far.

 

[seattlechiquita]

ok so they will concede guilt as to 2nd degree murder and rape.

 

[Madeleine74]

This is the friendliest charge conference meeting I've seen (not that I've seen that many). It appears the lead defense guy likes Mr. Saacks. He is downright sweet, for lack of a better word. And I notice that judge G is more relaxed and nice to the defense (again, my only comparison is from how this all went down in the Cooper case). What a difference when there isn't a bunch of whining, foot stomping, and finger pointing. All sides are working together.

 

[seattlechiquita]

32 years old. Man, that is effed up.

 

[seattlechiquita]

Uh... why is the judge questioning JW?

 

[seattlechiquita]

Never mind, I think I get it.

 

[seattlechiquita]

Can felony murder be 2nd degree murder? If so, here's my guess:

Guilty of 2nd degree felony murder
Guilty of rape (in whichever degree he's charged with)

 

[Madeleine74]

If he's found guilty of rape then felony murder rule applies and he would be convicted of first degree murder under that statute:

Felony Murder Rule - States that any death which occurs during the commission or attempt to commit certain felonies, which include arson, rape or other sexual offenses, burglary, robbery or kidnapping, is first-degree murder and all participants in the felony can be held equally culpable, including those who did no harm, had no weapon, and did not intend to hurt anyone. Intent does not have to be proved for anything but the underlying felony. Even if, during the commission of the underlying felony, death occurs from fright -- a heart attack for instance, it is still first-degree murder.

 

[Boodles]

I don't see how this ends up with anything less than felony murder. He raped her and he killed her in conjunction with the commission of the rape. That's felony murder which is first degree murder.

Am I missing something? They admit it - what's the open question? I'm confused!

 

[seattlechiquita]

I don't see how this ends up with anything less than felony murder. He raped her and he killed her in conjunction with the commission of the rape. That's felony murder which is first degree murder.

Am I missing something? They admit it - what's the open question? I'm confused!

That's why I got all confused. If they are going to admit to rape, they are shooting themselves in the foot aren't they? :waitasec:

 

[NCB]

Well, I was watching full screen during the time JW was answering JG. I have to tell you, I was creeped out because (to me) he seemed pretty normal and quite lucid. It was kinda scary. JY and BC gave me the willies, and I took some comfort in thinking my weirdo-dar would have gone off if I had crossed paths with either of them. However, I didn't really get that feeling from JW. Am I slipping?

 

[NCEast]

Laid down all afternoon, just don't feel good at all. It doesn't appear I've missed much though. I don't think I'll be able to pick our cucumbers from the garden this summer though. < very weak similie/smile >

I laid down during what I thought was going to be their lunch break and didn't wake until a few minutes after 4. And what I watched from then on was the same old, same old housekeeping preparations things.
Hope you feel better Glee!

 

[seattlechiquita]

Well, I was watching full screen during the time JW was answering JG. I have to tell you, I was creeped out because (to me) he seemed pretty normal and quite lucid. It was kinda scary. JY and BC gave me the willies, and I took some comfort in thinking my weirdo-dar would have gone off if I had crossed paths with either of them. However, I didn't really get that feeling from JW. Am I slipping?

You are not. When he was answering the questions and said his age, I truly felt sad. What a waste.

 

[Madeleine74]

Well, I was watching full screen during the time JW was answering JG. I have to tell you, I was creeped out because (to me) he seemed pretty normal and quite lucid. It was kinda scary. JY and BC gave me the willies, and I took some comfort in thinking my weirdo-dar would have gone off if I had crossed paths with either of them. However, I didn't really get that feeling from JW. Am I slipping?

Even a broken clock is right twice a day, which means even JW can appear normal at times.

Also consider that

A. He's on lithium
B. He's not on any other recreational drugs
C. He's not drunk
D. He's been bathed and cleaned up and is dressed nicely.
E. He is lucid (except for when he affects that catatonic state when the jury is present)

And also, he's not doing much more than saying, "yes sir, no sir."

 

[Boodles]

It was kinda interesting that he actually spoke today, asking if he could get there early tomorrow to be able to talk to his attorneys after he sleeps on all of this (what they will concede to during closing) tonight.

NCB, he seemed pretty normal to me and I hate to say it, but kind of timid and possibly.. no, I won't say it...this afternoon. Previously, I thought if I saw him at court and had to get into an elevator with him, I would run screaming out of fear. Today I got a different sense. But that's what makes him so SCARY!

 

[NCB]

This is the friendliest charge conference meeting I've seen (not that I've seen that many). It appears the lead defense guy likes Mr. Saacks. He is downright sweet, for lack of a better word. And I notice that judge G is more relaxed and nice to the defense (again, my only comparison is from how this all went down in the Cooper case). What a difference when there isn't a bunch of whining, foot stomping, and finger pointing. All sides are working together.

Night and day difference--you are right.

 

[NCB]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day, which means even JW can appear normal at times.

Thanks for the clarification, there, Maddie... LOL :floorlaugh:
I did a big belly laugh when I read it w/o the bit after the comma and said, "Well, gee, Maddie, uh, thanks, I think--I guess this was my time?!?!" LOL

I think he's on a good mix of meds now, but, as I wrote a couple of days ago, I did not believe his faux catatonic state then, and I believe his lucidity has been demonstrated today, regardless of the brevity of his statements.

 

[borndem]

no...but without the little banter about this and that, makeup and cucumber recipes, this forum is sure gonna be sleepin', just like that jailer across from JW, IMHO.:rocker:

Amen, Sistah! We can always work in banter... We'll make it fit, don't git in a snit!

I would really like to raise a glass (of Pepsi, speaking fer myself only) or two with whoever could, at the good ol' Glenwood Grill after this trial is over -- if we can find enuff of us to sit around a table. I don't wanna drink alone. It's an intimate little place, good food (not just burgers & vegetarians are welcome), quiet, casual (jeans, shorts or a suit), clean, great service, reasonable prices, and not hard to find. Just think about it, peeps...

 

[NCB]

It was kinda interesting that he actually spoke today, asking if he could get there early tomorrow to be able to talk to his attorneys after he sleeps on all of this (what they will concede to during closing) tonight.

NCB, he seemed pretty normal to me and I hate to say it, but kind of timid and possibly.. no, I won't say it...this afternoon. Previously, I thought if I saw him at court and had to get into an elevator with him, I would run screaming out of fear. Today I got a different sense. But that's what makes him so SCARY!

Yup, Boodles, scared me and I'm fearless...

Seriously, he was frightening--especially since we KNOW he did what he did to KT. I talk to people all the time and strike up conversations with strangers. I can't say this guy would have sent off alarm bells based on his current state. Of course, as Maddie pointed out, he's currently sober and well medicated.

 

[NCB]

Amen, Sistah! We can always work in banter... We'll make it fit, don't git in a snit!

I would really like to raise a glass (of Pepsi, speaking fer myself only) or two with whoever could, at the good ol' Glenwood Grill after this trial is over -- if we can find enuff of us to sit around a table. I don't wanna drink alone. It's an intimate little place, good food (not just burgers & vegetarians are welcome), quiet, casual (jeans, shorts or a suit), clean, great service, reasonable prices, and not hard to find. Just think about it, peeps...

I'm in! :woohoo: