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

[Boodles]

I am so bored with all of this I have lost my place.....what are we waiting for? Evidence to be introduced? I have no idea what's going on.

LOL, I don't know what's going on either. They're taking a break, but they just got back from lunch around 2:10...go figure, maybe the attorneys have to do some lawyering stuff.

I don't have a clue what goes on in this sentencing process or how long it takes.

 

[Madeleine74]

Will the Taft family testify? Will they express their wishes? Rumor has it they (or at least their mother) was not supportive of the death penalty. I have no idea if that's true, but will they be asked how they feel about it?

No, what the family feels about the DP is not part of this trial. It's ultimately up to the state to decide the charges to bring. They may have asked the Taft family their opinion when they were considering the charges, but after that it's all on the state.

It could be reversible error for a Taft family member to sit on the stand and give an opinion on the DP.

 

[NCEast]

Not defending JW at all; but as an alcoholic I do carry around a banner that reads: I am NOT responsible for my illness. I am, however, responsible for my recovery.[/QUOTE]

SeaChiq, I am very happy and most proud of you for your recovery. I have had too many alcoholics in my immediate life and know what a horrible disease it is. It is not easy to overcome.

 

[gracielee]

Mzzz. Glee, how are you feeling, little one? Better, or must we swear out a warrant for your arrest & have the High Sheriff take you to the Doc-in-a-Box?

:waitasec:

I'm feeling a little better. Not coughing as much, but extremely weak. I took a shower and actually got dressed, first time I've been in anything other then pajamas for probably five days. But all that wore me out. So I'm back to laying on my bed on the laptop again. The weird thing is, I haven't run a fever. Had I been running a fever I would have gone to the doc, but no fever, what's he gonna do..... I still feel nausious, damn, I never know how to spell that. Hubby is making me some rye toast. I've been living on rye toast & chunky soup over rice. Mostly rice, with a little bland soup to give it some *mush*.

 

[lib's mom]

LOL, I don't know what's going on either. They're taking a break, but they just got back from lunch around 2:10...go figure, maybe the attorneys have to do some lawyering stuff.

I don't have a clue what goes on in this sentencing process or how long it takes.

I think the jury was passing around all those things the DT introduced during KW's testimony when it was so silent right before they went to break.

 

[Madeleine74]

I concur with most of your statement, except the bolded part. No one "turns" into an alcoholic or drug addict. Alcoholism is a disease, and is classified as such. We do not choose it. It is hell on earth. It has nothing to do with whether your parents love you, abuse you, etc.

Not defending JW at all; but as an alcoholic I do carry around a banner that reads: I am NOT responsible for my illness. I am, however, responsible for my recovery.

If someone who has the propensity to become an alcoholic never actually takes that first drink, then they don't succumb to the disease, right? So, taking those first drinks would fall into the realm of choice since there is no specific previous experience. It's like someone whose genetics predispose them to obesity or heart disease. The seeds are there and will sprout if the conditions are met. But those diseases can be successfully thwarted so that they don't take hold. It may be harder and take more effort than those who don't have those predispositions, but there is no rule that everyone with a genetic predisposition will then fall victim to the disease.

At least that's how I see it.

 

[gracielee]

Good point, the defense should have asked that. Mr. W was answering the questions asked of him. However, they are not the guilty ones, as much as someone might like to blame his parents in some way. But with respect gracielee, we don't know that they don't feel compassion toward the Taft family. I believe they do. I wish the defense had asked Mr. W. about that.

Will the Taft family testify? Will they express their wishes? Rumor has it they (or at least their mother) was not supportive of the death penalty. I have no idea if that's true, but will they be asked how they feel about it?

I have never witnessed this process before. It's pretty bizarre. This is the first time JW has looked directly at a witness (his father). Will Jason speak? Is that customary?

Maybe it's just me, but I personally saw/felt that *door* swing wide open when the defense asked Mr. W. about his feelings upon hearing jason was arrested/and it wasn't an 'awful mix up' etc. My natural instinct told me to say something about 'how badly our entire family has felt for the victim here and her children & grandchildren.' 'Although we still love our son, because he is our son, our child, and perhaps we feel we've failed him along the way, yadda yadda yadda, 'we are so shocked, saddened, horrified, etc., by what has happened to the poor taft family.' JMO

 

[NCEast]

I'm feeling a little better. Not coughing as much, but extremely weak. I took a shower and actually got dressed, first time I've been in anything other then pajamas for probably five days. But all that wore me out. So I'm back to laying on my bed on the laptop again. The weird thing is, I haven't run a fever. Had I been running a fever I would have gone to the doc, but no fever, what's he gonna do..... I still feel nausious, damn, I never know how to spell that. Hubby is making me some rye toast. I've been living on rye toast & chunky soup over rice. Mostly rice, with a little bland soup to give it some *mush*.

A little bit of feeling better is good. I hope tomorrow you will feel MUCH better. So sorry you've been this sick......hmmm, nausea. You're not pregnant are you

 

[laces]

I'm feeling a little better. Not coughing as much, but extremely weak. I took a shower and actually got dressed, first time I've been in anything other then pajamas for probably five days. But all that wore me out. So I'm back to laying on my bed on the laptop again. The weird thing is, I haven't run a fever. Had I been running a fever I would have gone to the doc, but no fever, what's he gonna do..... I still feel nausious, damn, I never know how to spell that. Hubby is making me some rye toast. I've been living on rye toast & chunky soup over rice. Mostly rice, with a little bland soup to give it some *mush*.

Sweetie, hope you get rid of this thing. No fever? maybe viral. get well soon, xo.

 

[NCEast]

I think the jury was passing around all those things the DT introduced during KW's testimony when it was so silent right before they went to break.

Thank you so much. I thought it was something to do with evidence but I was completely lost.

 

[Boodles]

So call me a softie, but I felt Mr W's testimony was moving. What hit me is that he still sees the good in his son. He kept looking and connecting with him, and JW was looking at him in return, his first time responding to anything that is going on by making eye contact. That made me want to cry, b/c as NCEast said, that's real unconditional love. JWs death will probably destroy this man, maybe that is the point in his testifying.

I agree with Mad, this isn't a DP case, and as I have said before, it should have been resolved without trial for a LWOP plea. I don't see any point in this DP pursuit; it just exacerbates the pain of everyone involved. I used to be a staunch supporter of the DP, wrote a paper in college supporting it. Now, I think it's archaic, economically ridiculous and psychologically damaging to the victims' and defendant's families. It takes too long, is too expensive and drags everything out over a lifetime of appeals.

Alcoholism and addiction are horrible diseases, as is mental illness (depression). Geez, this is all so tragic. Look how many lives have been ruined.

 

[gracielee]

Jason was lucky in many ways to have had these people as parents. Even though they may still be in denial to a degree, and were enabling him from his first baby steps onward, it's obvious--especially with the father--to see that Jason was loved. It touched me when his dad looked over at Jason and responded "I love Jason unconditionally'. I grew up in a home in which that was not felt, much less stated. And even as old as I am it still hurts deeply.

I felt the same way, NCE. Hugs to you. I don't think I've ever heard either of mine say 'i love you'. And if I had, I'd know it wasn't sincere anyway. Makes one wonder, 'eh? As you said, JW was loved, cared for, dad has memories of him, etc. Some kids seem to have so much, while others just strive to survive. And how they turn out........

 

[NCEast]

I'm feeling a lot of love for this grandmother. I am so sorry that her familie's problems are being aired to the world. She is just precious and I can't imagine how deeply her heart aches for the situation JW is in and what it has done to his family, and her own son.

 

[laces]

Agony to listen to this grandma.

 

[seattlechiquita]

If someone who has the propensity to become an alcoholic never actually takes that first drink, then they don't succumb to the disease, right? So, taking those first drinks would fall into the realm of choice since there is no specific previous experience. It's like someone whose genetics predispose them to obesity or heart disease. The seeds are there and will sprout if the conditions are met. But those diseases can be successfully thwarted so that they don't take hold. It may be harder and take more effort than those who don't have those predispositions, but there is no rule that everyone with a genetic predisposition will then fall victim to the disease.

At least that's how I see it.

I disagree with you, but don't have a need to argue about it. I know what I have lived and experienced. That's good enough for me. Peace.

 

[borndem]

Now, kids, it's 'Time with Gramma Time' --

Laces! Laces! Pass out the insulin & the Foster Grant's to the jury before they pass out from o'd-ing on Sweetness & Light.

<gag>
:cupcake::cupcake::cupcake::cupcake::cake4u::sundae::cake4u::sundae::cake4u::cake4u::cake::sundae::cake::sunshine::sunshine::sunshine::sunshine::sunshine::sunshine:


:justice:

 

[seattlechiquita]

Ooooooh.... cupcake..... nom nom nom

 

[NCEast]

Jason's mom's hair looks especially nice today.

 

[seattlechiquita]

For a second there I thought that was a priest

I was right... priest.

 

[laces]

Now that i'm a grandma, i understand her feelings. My mom used to say, "there but for the grace of God, go I." I know i'm a soft touch. I'm bawling for her.