The Crown v Gerard Baden-Clay, 7th July - Trial Day 15

[BJsleuth]

He said they went on to discuss intimate details of where the accused had sex with his mistress in the days that followed.

“There had been, despite Ms Ritchie’s best intentions, confrontational questioning of Gerard Baden-Clay on the 18th and follow-up questions on the 19th of that affair,” Mr Byrne said.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...-1226979525605

BBM: Didn't GBC state under cross examinatiion that he and Allison did NOT discuss the affair on 19 April?

So it wasn't meant to be a Q&A session, just for Allison to tell Gerrard how she felt?

 

[PlainJaneDoe]

Good morning! :coffee:

 

[Milisi]

BBM.

I'm sorry but I don't recall reading this in the evidence. Why would dad be telling her to be nice to mum because she is sick? This worries me a bit.

...
Yes, I get what you are saying... Hhmm

 

[Her Honour]

I only just discovered that the name Todd means 'fox' or clever and wily! Her Honour knows her stuff!

Haha FD, only because my first love was a Todd AND a fox :blushing:

Perhaps we got some contracted version of that 'what kind of mother' bit (i.e. what mother so devoted to her children would miss a minute or some such); if not, that really was quite inflammatory, especially to working and otherwise busy mothers. And perfecting the hair was in furtherance of looking good at the conference, for several reasons, including but not limited to representing a struggling agency which (as I think Freya said) had a chronically distracted principal!

 

[Snails]

I was so heartened to read your post LadyBird after a very frustrating day in court today. Sadly I didn't manage to meet up with other WS members for various reasons, but somehow ended up in the main court, much to my disbelief. I got there at 8.00am and there weren't as many people there as I'd imagined. I'd fully intended to go to the Banco Room, but got my little yellow ticket and had a seat for the day. So if any of you are considering going in tomorrow, I suggest you do!

I was gobsmacked at how long the defense barrister went on for - all day! :gaah: I'd fully expected to see the prosecution present their summary, as well as Justice Byrne all in the one day. Some parts were downright boring, others plainly misleading. I left feeling despondent and very let down and incredibly sad at the image portrayed of Allison. I have to say, whoever is paying for Gerrred's defense, he did a good job today with not a lot to work with.:facepalm: Who is paying for his defense, I'm not sure.

I know the WS code of practice doesn't allow what I enjoyed most about being in court today, which is observing the players - the barristers, the accused, his family and the deceased's family. I wasn't disappointed in that regard but left with concern how much the jury really know (not a quarter of what we do) and we're left trusting in their common sense and power of rational deduction for the outcome. I could say more about their demeanour but don't think that's allowed here.

Due to my disappointment today, not only the content but with only a third of what I went in to hear being covered, I am left with no alternative but now will HAVE TO go in again tomorrow and take another day's leave off work! I really want to hear Fuller give his summary, but more than that am keen to hear Justice Byrne give his summary and direction to the jury. I've always thought this will dictate the way the verdict ultimately goes.

It's been such a long road for all the family members involved, and those of us who've followed it closely for over two years. One thing that has really struck me on this journey though, is the effect Allison has had on so so many people. Friendships have been forged across Australia as a result of this tragedy, and people in similar circumstances or who relate to her for whatever reason have come together. This was brought up today in court by members of Allison's own family who are salt-of-the-earth and very unassuming, and are incredulous that people have been so moved by her death. This I believe is Allison's legacy, no matter what the outcome of the trial.

Great post Anemone and couldn't agree more with your thoughts. I was in the Banco Courtroom and there was a "sense" that is hard to put into words. I am planning on returning tomorrow morning as I really want to hear Todd Fullers closing statements.

 

[Cattail]

I just could not understand how Byrne for the DT could get away with saying a lot of things I read today on breaks at work that to me were thin in substance/evidence at best. For example that Allison drowned? Was that not shown to be untrue? I also caught that he said to the jury in effect, don't be swayed by the media hype. Where on one hand that sounds fair enough, on the other hand depending on delivery that my be seen as condescending to a jury member. JMO

You all have wonderful posts - a lot to read through tonight! I must say much I appreciate your sincere and well considered points, good job ALL

As I have Said previously....Let's hope the Todd-ster can bring it home well as he, to my way of thinking, speaks on Allison's behalf, and all power to his arm !

I know Doc explained the diatom testing and that there was no proof of drowning.

When I read the autopsy report I wonder if the careful wording below allows the defence to suggest drowning is possible as it is not conclusively ruled out?

"it would be very difficult to find signs of drowning in this case due to the degree of decomposition."

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30810&d=1363404040

 

[escabeche]

I understand that your pedometer works out your walking speed, but how far do you usually walk and for how long? I don't even know whether 14km or so is considered a very long walk/too far for someone to cover in one hit, or would some cover that distance in an average daily walk?

I walk for exercise, generally 6-8km per weekday and it takes me around 1 hour. On the weekends I go for longer walks, between 12-15km which takes me around 2 hours. My route has quite a few hills, some very steep. I also have a dodgy ankle which occasionally slows me down.

If Allison walked regularly, and had done for some time, I don't think 14km would be considered an especially long walk. If I had the time I would walk that far daily and not think twice about it. I'd expect it would take her a similar amount of time as me and that she could easily cover 14km in 2-2.5 hours.

However a friend of mine (younger, slimmer with good ankles) walks 4km on the flat most days and thinks a good time is less than 1 hour. So it appears to be quite variable... I'm not sure anyone could say what was a normal length and time for Allison except for Allison herself.

 

[JK673]

I walk for exercise, generally 6-8km per weekday and it takes me around 1 hour. On the weekends I go for longer walks, between 12-15km which takes me around 2 hours. My route has quite a few hills, some very steep. I also have a dodgy ankle.

If Allison walked regularly, and had done for some time, I don't think 14km would be considered an especially long walk. I'd expect her times would be similar to mine and that she could easily cover 14km in around 2.5 hours.

However a friend of mine (younger, slimmer with good ankles) walks 4km on the flat most days and thinks a good time is less than 1 hour. So it appears to be quite variable...

But along a badly lit road with no footpath??? Walking on the road???

 

[Aliwonders]

I am thinking about Allison sitting and thinking alone in the lounge about how ripped off she was...getting more and more depressed. But Mrs Ritchie set boundries for these sessions. It is a common thing for counsellors to tell people to set boundries on their thinking time. Now when Gerard and Allison had their talk Allison stopped it when the time was up. She didn't continue. Some of the questions in her book were not answered. She was following Mrs Ricthies instructions. So I think she would have stopped herself from spending a lot of time mulling over the issues.

 

[Cattail]

I walk for exercise, generally 6-8km per weekday and it takes me around 1 hour. On the weekends I go for longer walks, between 12-15km which takes me around 2 hours. My route has quite a few hills, some very steep. I also have a dodgy ankle.

If Allison walked regularly, and had done for some time, I don't think 14km would be considered an especially long walk. If I had the time I would walk that far daily and not think twice about it. I'd expect her times would be similar to mine and that she could easily cover 14km in around 2.5 hours.

However a friend of mine (younger, slimmer with good ankles) walks 4km on the flat most days and thinks a good time is less than 1 hour. So it appears to be quite variable...

I think if you are walking 8kms in an hour you are faster than the average bear

 

[sosocurious]

I can see why Byrne did not give an opening statement.

 

[possumheart]

I think if you are walking 8kms in an hour you are faster than the average bear

13km = 2hr for me

 

[toe]

I walk 5.5km every morning and it takes 1hr.

 

[Whirligig]

But along a badly lit road with no footpath??? Walking on the road???

She would have been seen by someone driving along Mt Crosby Road for sure. It's a dark stretch, and you would have to walk close to or on the road, especially at night. There is not much traffic at night, but it's a long road, and at some point, if Allison had walked along that road, someone would have seen her.

 

[escabeche]

I think if you are walking 8kms in an hour you are faster than the average bear

Call me esca-bear :dance:

I just edited my above post and will also edit this to say exercise walking speeds and what everyone thinks is 'normal' is clearly quite variable... the only person who could've told us what was 'normal' for Allison is likely Allison herself...

 

[heloise]

A lot of people, in the early days, regular walkers in the local (Brookfield) area, said they had never seen Allison walking around there - ever. ? Her best friend also testified she was not a regular walker.

 

[HoolyDooly]

OMG the sky is purple today! I'm being open and candid. Why don't you believe me!!!

Yep and there goes a pink flying pig.

MOO MOO OR OINK OINK TGY ? :floorlaugh:

 

[Inspector]

I am thinking about Allison sitting and thinking alone in the lounge about how ripped off she was...getting more and more depressed. But Mrs Ritchie set boundries for these sessions. It is a common thing for counsellors to tell people to set boundries on their thinking time. Now when Gerard and Allison had their talk Allison stopped it when the time was up. She didn't continue. Some of the questions in her book were not answered. She was following Mrs Ricthies instructions. So I think she would have stopped herself from spending a lot of time mulling over the issues.

Personally, I would not have been dissuaded by a lack of commitment/interest from my other half. If s/he decided they were not on board with our family, I would have gladly kicked them to the curb, and dealt with the massive personal and financial repercussions. Our children our our greatest gift IMO, and anything that doesn't honour this or threatens them is bad news. To hear A's name dragged throughout the mud and questioned in her faultless love for her kids irks me beyond belief. I don't believe A suicided for a second. I also don't believe she desperately wanted a son. To hear a normal mum's love called into question and victim blame is truly beyond belief (except that it's actually happening in real time) : (

 

[Her Honour]

You have totally misunderstood what I was trying to get at. Excuse me for not explaining it properly. I do not view Byrne and gbc in the same way. Suppose you cant please everyone in how you word things

Sorry for getting fired up I re-read your post and it was really just the final line which stirred me up.

We agree that parts of today were hard to hear, let alone deliver.

 

[Freya1977]

I think if you are walking 8kms in an hour you are faster than the average bear

Oh I think so! I go 5km/hour on the treadmill and that's brisk enough for me!