OH - Pike Co - 8 in Rhoden Family Murdered Over Custody Issue - 4 Members Wagner Family Arrested #80

[Seattle1]

In comparison to Ohio, pursuant to a change in law passed in 2020, England and Wales allowed cameras in the Crown Court for the first time on 28 July 2022.

But the coverage is restricted to the judge handing down a sentence and explaining the reasons for it, with a time delay to avoid broadcasting any violent or abusive reaction. Viewers get to see inside the courtroom for around 30 minutes, but the cameras is fixed firmly on the judge with no view of the defendant, victims, jurors, lawyers, or witnesses.

I'm thinking that we can do away with these opt-out hearings and shield defendants such as Jake by adopting the practice where defendants can be fitted with head wigs similar to British Judges and Lawyers. And you can silence the civil rights complaints with facts from common law, adopted by the United States, that the purpose of wearing a wig was to reinforce the idea of anonymity. It's basically the same concept as "the law is blind."

The law should be "blind" to race, ethnicity, social standing, net worth, Instagram followers, political affiliations, and your prison status-- snitch or not a snitch! Problem solved -- no more opt-out hearings. JK

 

[altojack]

JMO, there's some legit reason why the prosecution and court want to keep him off camera. I don't think its a frivolous decision.

BW still has his trial to come. Is it possible that Prosecutors want to keep JW out of the spotlight and gag him so to speak? They won't want BWs team to hear what JW is saying. Perhaps. JMO

 

[joe jones]

AC is doing lots of scratching with her pen as she crosses off things on her papers, GW is doing lots of writing and sharing it with his attorney, I wonder which attorney will cross examine JW

 

[Pru2U]

I looked it up:

Southern District of OH gets $50 day, ($250/wk) paid at the end of service.

For comparison, minimum wage in OH is $9.30 HR or $372/wk based on 40 HR wk

Normally, I wouldn't mention it but we have learned that's a low jobs/ high poverty area in OH. Just look at the courthouse.

Frequently Asked Questions About Juror Service | Southern District of Ohio | United States District Court

www.ohsd.uscourts.gov

 

[Pru2U]

BW still has his trial to come. Is it possible that Prosecutors want to keep JW out of the spotlight and gag him so to speak? They won't want BWs team to hear what JW is saying. Perhaps. JMO

They want to keep JW alive to testify.

 

[dgfred]

Hey Seattle... I thought the wigs were to make them look 'distinguished' and smart. Haha

 

[justtrish]

BW still has his trial to come. Is it possible that Prosecutors want to keep JW out of the spotlight and gag him so to speak? They won't want BWs team to hear what JW is saying. Perhaps. JMO

I think this makes sense.

 

[arielilane]

Stepping away for now, will be back later.

 

[Betty P]

Only one confessed that I recall, but don't quote me on that. Can't recall shoe-print evidence it's been awhile.

Yes, it was 2 shoeprints in blood at the crime scene. In the basement, next to the body of Herb Clutter, whose throat had been slit.

The one boot print at the scene was recognized as being from a "Cat's Paw" boot. A prisoner who had been a cellmate of Dick Hickock called LE and told them he used to work for the Clutters. He had told Dick Hickock they were rich and that Herb Clutter kept a safe full of cash in his office. He told police they might want to look at Hickock as a suspect.

Hickock and Smith had gone to Mexico after the murders. They planned to go to Las Vegas (?) next. Perry Smith shipped a box with some of his possessions to delivery to the Las Vegas post office so he could pick it up when he got there. The box contained Smith's boots that had made the prints at the crime scene. Kansas police put out a bulletin about Hickock and Smith. Post Office saw it, recognized Smith's name and called KBI. Smith was arrested when he came to pick up the package. KBI told them they were being held on parole violations. They drove them back to Kansas in separate cars. Both eventually confessed, but blamed the other for doing the shooting. Both actually did.

There might have also been ballistic evidence.

 

[joe jones]

They have managed to keep alive all high-profile defendants, co accused throughout the years JW is nothing special, the defendants who murdered Channon Christain and Christopher Newsome were extremely high profile but they were kept alive for trial and are still alive after their heinous crimes, Joe McEnroe who murdered 6 members of one family at the behest of his GF was kept alive to testify and is still alive

The belief that very high-profile prisoners are in danger in prison is not a reality anymore, they are extremely well protected pre and post their convictions,

Chris Watts is a prime example, he is in general population, and if there was a high-profile defendant who one would think would be in danger it would be him, but from all accounts I have read he is thriving in prison, with his new girlfriends and his family still convinced he will one day be free, even after his confessions IMO

 

[pittsburghgirl]

Media last ditch...can we have audio...judge nope...again JW is the concern, his having to change midstream in the midst of his testimony, all about JW's rights, feelings and safety

I heard only a piece of this, but continuing with JW as they began minimizes fairness issues regarding his testimony, e.g., would he be more guarded under cross examination if the rules changed in midstream. I think a lot of this discussion is about how to avoid a mistrial by hindering the defense on cross of Jake. They aren't saying that word, but that's a factor.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

After reading the Order and forming my own opinion, it seems clear that that the judge is defying the order. MOO

"unless a hearing is held on the issue and the court "finds that (1) there exists a reasonable and substantial basis for believing that public access could harm or endanger the fairness of the adjudication, (2) the potential for harm outweighs the benefits of public access, and (3) there are no reasonable alternatives to closure."

This is just what happened today, a hearing on the issue, which concluded "the fairness of the adjudication" could be endangered, and "the potential for harm outweighs" the media desire to air video and audio. And the judge has 7 days to get clarification. So he is not defying the order.

 

[pittsburghgirl]

It's all the court has to work with right now. Until they have hearings, they can't allow any witness to testify who has opted out.

And it's about not changing the rules just as the defense is getting ready to cross-examine.

What is interesting is that this ruling will probably require all law enforcement people to be on video and audio unless they are undercover.

 

[LMDlong]

Had to step away . Nothing on, anyone know if they are on break?

 

[Betty P]

Yeah but they could come and go freely too. Or runners would come in and get notes from one reporter in court and give them to another to write up. The justice system has to utilize technology. It needs to allow real time transcription to online...no camera or audio if opt-out but tablets on wifi. Then it's like the public's right to witness testimony and proceedings in this day and age is being taken seriously. AJMO

In Capote's case, I think he had note taking assistance from Harper Lee, but I don't recall reading about reporters coming and going as they wished. I recall reading about some trials where reporters had to wait until there was a recess, then running out the courtroom doors to get one of the payphones in the hallway so they could call in their stories. Some would pay someone to hold the pay phone line open for them. Other reporters would have to run to the nearest payphones across the street, at a drug store, etc. They usually staked them out in advance.

 

[Betty P]

Had to step away . Nothing on, anyone know if they are on break?

Still looks live on WCPO feed

The Week As It Happened

www.wcpo.com

 

[LMDlong]

Still looks live on WCPO feed

The Week As It Happened

www.wcpo.com

Thanks will try that news feed.

 

[Betty P]

And it's about not changing the rules just as the defense is getting ready to cross-examine.

What is interesting is that this ruling will probably require all law enforcement people to be on video and audio unless they are undercover.

As long as the judge holds a hearing first. As they said this morning, the whole issue of having a hearing for every witness who opts out is going to be a real burden on the courts going forward. They're going to need to find a better way of doing this.

 

[CIA Team Member]

Had to step away . Nothing on, anyone know if they are on break?

Still live on L&C.

 

[sunshineray]

I heard only a piece of this, but continuing with JW as they began minimizes fairness issues regarding his testimony, e.g., would he be more guarded under cross examination if the rules changed in midstream. I think a lot of this discussion is about how to avoid a mistrial by hindering the defense on cross of Jake. They aren't saying that word, but that's a factor.

And I hear what you're saying, I do. I believe though that he's a grown man, freely confessed killer...he knows what his deal is, who he needs to satisfy with his testimony to insure his life and his family members lives. The camera being on him and audio being recorded is in no way hindering him fulfilling his agreement. The defense is going to come at him VERY HARD, the same way, either way. Having it recorded matters not to that happening. That the camera is recirding him or others in that courtroom us the same thing. He's an adult (not a juvenile like the precedent case was all about) and just needs to act like one and get on with it. AJMO