OH - Annabelle Richardson, newborn, found in shallow grave, Carlisle, 7 May 2017 #2

[fred&edna]

I think the judge limited expert's testimony because the detectives were not on trial here.

While defense may not have liked their interview tactics, I don't believe they could accuse them of wrong doing or coercion pursuant to an experts report, but only present general statistics and/or case study info Reid method.

Investigator had previously confirmed Reid method used during interrogation by one or the other detectives.

MOO

Gotcha! Makes sense. Thank you!

 

[AllyBeeUK]

Thanks .... you answered some questions and doubts I had of myself.

I've gone back and forth a million times, it's a tough one.

 

[lonetraveler]

Not a silly question, I've asked this previously. I have been informed a majority verdict is required.

Actually it has to be a unanimous.

 

[iluvmua]

Skylar either killed her a little bit or not at all.

Which is it?

 

[Hope4More]

...if they can't prove baby was born alive, I don't see how she could be convicted of endangerment. A woman has bodily autonomy whilst pregnant, not seeking care, taking vitamins etc is not a crime. If they can't prove baby was born alive then they would potentially be holding a woman criminally responsible for a still birth and that is a dangerous precedent IMO.

I wonder about that. On one hand, that to be endangered, Skylar's baby first had to have been alive seems obvious and logical.

On the other hand, I think it would be reasonable for a juror to conclude that although Skylar believed her baby was likely stillborn, she wasn't entirely sure. The State IMO didn't prove the baby was born alive beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense presented evidence strong enough to raise that doubt, but....?

Wonder if the jury can convict on the endangerment count if they conclude Skylar didn't know for sure, that's what is key, and that her not seeking help constituted endangerment. Really don't know if the jury has that latitude.

 

[MyBelle]

I’m sure that’s because she was starving herself not to look so pregnant. Moo

She not only was starving herself, she was also starving the baby. I think some are unaware of how important nutrition is during pregnancy. Pregnant women are encouraged to eat healthy AND also take pre-natal vitamins. Those with eating disorders face a higher risk of complications including still birth.

JMO

https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/pregnancy-and-eating-disorders/

 

[Daytocincy]

As usual, what actually happened is unknowable, and what the jury must base their verdicts on is simply whether or not the State met it's burden of proof on each charge.

From that perspective, I'm betting the jury won't convict Skylar on either the murder or negligent homicide charges. The only evidence the State presented that the baby was born alive came from Skylar's "confession," and the odds are that one or more jurors believe her confession (such as it was) was coerced.

I don't believe it likely this jury will be OK with having her walk. Even if the jury isn't unanimous one way or another about whether the baby was stillborn or Skylar killed her accidentally or by not seeking help, I can imagine them reaching a consensus that it was Skylar's legal obligation to seek help, and that she should be held responsible for her failure to do so.

Although I feel a great deal of compassion for Skylar, believe the baby was stillborn, and understand why she didn't feel she could ask for her parents' help, I agree that she should have, and that she should be convicted on the child endangerment charge.

I agree completely with your assessment.

 

[AllyBeeUK]

Actually it has to be a unanimous.

I have already edited the post.

I wonder about that. On one hand, that to be endangered, Skylar's baby first had to have been alive seems obvious and logical.

On the other hand, I think it would be reasonable for a juror to conclude that although Skylar believed her baby was likely stillborn, she wasn't entirely sure. The State IMO didn't prove the baby was born alive beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense presented evidence strong enough to raise that doubt, but....?

Wonder if the jury can convict on the endangerment count if they conclude Skylar didn't know for sure, that's what is key, and that her not seeking help constituted endangerment. Really don't know if the jury has that latitude.

That's an interesting perspective that I hadn't thought of. I'm still inclined to think that it is a dangerous precedent for future cases and the jury will be aware of that. Even if baby was stillborn, she still should have called for help. I can try and understand why she didn't but there really is no getting away from that.

 

[Hope4More]

I think the judge limited expert's testimony because the detectives were not on trial here.

While defense may not have liked their interview tactics, I don't believe they could accuse them of wrong doing or coercion pursuant to an experts report, but only present general statistics and/or case study info Reid method.

Investigator had previously confirmed Reid method used during interrogation by one or the other detectives.

MOO

Thanks. I understand. And the obvious sunk in too. Eliciting from a witness that Skylar was especially vulnerable to the interrogation tactics employed wouldn't necessitate raising issues about the tactics or the detectives employing them.

This just wasn't an witness qualified to testify on that, and the defense, for whatever reason, steered clear of calling a psych expert witness who could.

 

[Boodles]

#SkylarRichardson's dad, Scott, testified in her murder trial today. During his testimony one of Skylar's defense attorneys asked, "What's the biggest regret in your life, Scott?"

"Not having an attorney for the second interrogation."

John Bedell on Twitter

Unbelievable. Not that his grandchild died. Then again, in the interrogation room, he cared not one iota about a dead baby. “What a mess you’ve made...the Dr prescribed BC pills?...” etc., etc.

This must be a huge hassle for him and costing him a pretty penny for attorneys fees.

No one seems to have sorrow about the baby....

 

[gitana1]

Her mother didn't suggest adoption, she made it clear if she had a baby it was all on her shoulders alone. Yeah, no parent would look forward to a teenager having a baby but most teenagers don't have text convos like Kim did with Skylar, those just made me shudder.

100%. Unreal. I felt she was putting undue fear of God into Skylar. She didn't even give her the option of adoption. I mean I know we are viewing this with the understanding that Skylar was indeed pregnant at the time. But even if her mom didn't know, to say her life would be ruined and over? I don't think it's reasonable. Reasonable would be to say this would be life altering. Either she would be raising a child or go through the pain of giving up a child.

 

[cherrymeg]

Skylar either killed her a little bit or not at all.

Which is it?

The baby could have died because of neglect both before and after birth. Prenatal care usually spans the length of the pregnancy or at least most of it. If your first visit to a doctor is 11 days before you give birth at home on your own, a healthy fetus or baby would be a miracle. Not bleeding to death while giving birth or getting an infection is even more surprising. She didn't call out for help when she might have suspected she was in labor. She didn't do things to ensure a safe delivery for both her and the baby. Could those actions have led to the baby's death or been a factor? Possibly. I don't think she intentionally killed her baby. I think a stillbirth is very possible. If it wasn't complications during labor, or fetal issues, delivering a baby into a toilet has risks. Had she had prenatal care maybe the outcome would have been different but that is hard to prove.

 

[iluvmua]

If I were on the jury, I would convict her on all counts.

Per her own words on the tapes the baby was NOT stillborn.

That right there in a nutshell is her entire defense.

This is JMO

 

[iluvmua]

The baby could have died because of neglect both before and after birth. Prenatal care usually spans the length of the pregnancy or at least most of it. If your first visit to a doctor is 11 days before you give birth at home on your own, a healthy fetus or baby would be a miracle. Not bleeding to death while giving birth or getting an infection is even more surprising. She didn't call out for help when she might have suspected she was in labor. She didn't do things to ensure a safe delivery for both her and the baby. Could those actions have led to the baby's death or been a factor? Possibly. I don't think she intentionally killed her baby. I think a stillbirth is very possible. If it wasn't complications during labor, or fetal issues, delivering a baby into a toilet has risks. Had she had prenatal care maybe the outcome would have been different but that is hard to prove.

Is she that stupid that she can't pick up a phone and dial 911 ?

Or go wake up her brother Or parents?

 

[Hope4More]

Unbelievable. Not that his grandchild died. Then again, in the interrogation room, he cared not one iota about a dead baby. “What a mess you’ve made...the Dr prescribed BC pills?...” etc., etc.

This must be a huge hassle for him and costing him a pretty penny for attorneys fees.

No one seems to have sorrow about the baby....

Skylar's father was testifying to a jury charged with deciding whether or not his daughter killed her baby. Would you really expect him to say the loss of his granddaughter was his biggest regret?

I'm sure he feels extremely guilty for allowing Skylar to be interviewed again by LE without an attorney. And for good reason. By emphasizing that regret, he is reinforcing for the jury his own belief- and possibly what some jurors believe: that Skylar's confession was coerced.

 

[gitana1]

I don't believe she felt blissful and care free at all. Even if she was guilty I think she would be traumatised by the birth, what she had seen coming out of her body. Childbirth is pretty traumatising, even when you are fully prepared for it, at least mine were. She would be fearful of being caught out. I would be terrified that my mum would suddenly decide to do some gardening, or that my dog would smell something and go digging. She would probably be scared about what was still happening to her body. After my first son I was not at all prepared for how much I would bleed and I couldn't even have imagined the afterpain, it was scary. Even if she planned all this I still don't think she would suddenly feel light as a feather the very next day.

I really don't see how anyone could possibly think they would get away with this. She knew that her doctor at the very least knew she was pregnant, would want to know what had happened to the baby and would ask questions the next time she was there. I just can't see this being a plan carried out with stone cold logic. I've tried to see it from all angles but I just can't get there.



If they can't prove baby was born alive, I don't see how she could be convicted of endangerment. A woman has bodily autonomy whilst pregnant, not seeking care, taking vitamins etc is not a crime. If they can't prove baby was born alive then they would potentially be holding a woman criminally responsible for a still birth and that is a dangerous precedent IMO.

I believe she was ecstatic. If during your whole pregnancy all you wanted was to get rid of it, doing so could indeed make you feel overjoyed. No matter how hard birth was.

Like she said, "“Last night was like the worst ever. But I feel so much better this morning. I’m happy."

 

[gitana1]

Would the jurors need to all agree on a verdict or would they take a majority?
(Sorry if silly question from UK)

They have to all agree.

 

[Hope4More]

I believe she was ecstatic. If during your whole pregnancy all you wanted was to get rid of it, doing so could indeed make you feel overjoyed. No matter how hard birth was.

Like she said, "“Last night was like the worst ever. But I feel so much better this morning. I’m happy."

Think Travis Alexander's journals.

 

[razzledazzle]

Skylar's father was testifying to a jury charged with deciding whether or not his daughter killed her baby. Would you really expect him to say the loss of his granddaughter was his biggest regret?

I'm sure he feels extremely guilty for allowing Skylar to be interviewed again by LE without an attorney. And for good reason. By emphasizing that regret, he is reinforcing for the jury his own belief- and possibly what some jurors believe: that Skylar's confession was coerced.

I agree. IMO that question was asked and his answer rehearsed for that very reason.

If I were asked my biggest regret, it would be that my daughter didn't feel like she could come to me for help. JMO MOO

 

[Tillicum]

I agree. IMO that question was asked and his answer rehearsed for that very reason.

If I were asked my biggest regret, it would be that my daughter didn't feel like she could come to me for help. JMO MOO

I don't think she wanted help. I think she did exactly what she wanted to do once she learned it was too late for an abortion.