The Sidebar - Ross Harris Trial

[alwaysonmymind]

So he was sort of set in the position he would have been while seated in his car seat?


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Yes.


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[Maisiebelle]

Poor baby [emoji20]


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[Jinkasaurus]

Let's say that Ross had an elderly parent who was going through a health crisis, and he was extremely distracted by that - calling, texting family members, going back and forth to hospital, etc .... and then he left Cooper in the car.

Would the judgment against him be less because he was distracted for a "good" reason, rather than a "bad" reason- sexting other women? Either way he would still be responsible for not taking appropriate care of the child, but I think it would affect some of the opinions toward him.

I find myself wondering if the state wanted to use RH as an example to others, and when they found the sexting, that gave them a reason to bump the charges up to intentional.

 

[alwaysonmymind]

Let's say that Ross had an elderly parent who was going through a health crisis, and he was extremely distracted by that - calling, texting family members, going back and forth to hospital, etc .... and then he left Cooper in the car.

Would the judgment against him be less because he was distracted for a "good" reason, rather than a "bad" reason- sexting other women? Either way he would still be responsible for not taking appropriate care of the child, but I think it would affect some of the opinions toward him.

I find myself wondering if the state wanted to use RH as an example to others, and when they found the sexting, that gave them a reason to bump the charges up to intentional.

I really can't answer this because I believe he intentionally left Cooper in the car.


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[matou]

I think he had a sexting addiction, like an addiction to drugs. So does that mean he is less culpable than a drug-addict or alcoholic?

 

[LaLaw2000]

Just catching up here...............
I am certainly not a Justin Ross Harris backer! I think he is 100% guilty of having planned to do this to Cooper and carried out his plan. I'm just not sure he planned this by himself. No way could I serve on this jury because I'd made up my mind a few days after it happened. Anything I have learned since then has only bolstered that belief. I feel as strongly of this as I did the guilt of Casey Anthony, Jodie Arias, and many, many others.

The jurors are seeing pictures of that baby that baby that we will never see, thankfully. This has got to be such a hard case for them. I have faith in the jurors to follow the evidence presented to them and come to the right conclusion.

I have never seen so many pro- defense and anti-prosecutor people in some of the comments on social media.

I just want justice for Cooper!

 

[arkansasmimi]

I think it's important to consider how putrid his son would have smelled. Decomposition would have been vastly accelerated in a hot car and the stench would singe your nostrils like none other.
I can't imagine him driving anywhere without immediately knowing something was so wrong, he'd search his car before driving off from work.
We're talking a smell that would have been horrific upon first opening the car door.

This has been a question I also was wondering about. On the AJC podcast that is also talked about. Episode 2 http://breakdown.myajc.com/episode/episode-2/ The reporter spoke to 2 different Medical Examiners. One was Dr. Joe Burtin (unsure of spelling) He is now a private consultant. Has done over 10,000 autopsies, and Dr. Donald Ray. Both said was too early for the "smell of death" that Stoddard stated he smelled. Also there was no feces in Cooper diaper per autopsy report. Both Dr's said was too early for the smell.

JMHO. These were very interesting podcasts.

 

[arkansasmimi]

After listening to all 4 podcasts, JMHO I think it probable that RH could go to jail but unsure as to which charge. (I have to see if I can find what all his current charges are total). From last podcast #4 it was prior to the trial getting moved 300 miles away. So lots could have happened from then to present. The charges in Cooper case, the guests say, were strategically done so that if doesn't get one will get the other. The charges on the sexually explicit stuff possible 58 year sentence.

JMHO One thing that was interesting. It is stated on podcast by guest, IF RH met a 16 year old and had sex, in GA the consent age is 16 and it would have been legal. But the going over the internent/texting under 18 is a crime.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Oh, and I have another question. What is the significance of Ross Harris's hearing loss in one ear. Is the defense suggesting that because of that he could not hear Connor (talking, singing, crying, or whatever) in the carseat that was inches away from his head?

JMHO the signigance is that it is his Right Ear which is on side nearest to the carseat. IIRC he total deaf in that ear. JMHO that does make a difference to a point. I also wonder if had radio on. Lots of noises in car even with out a 22 mo old back there. *just making a comment not excusing anything or anyone.

 

[ReadyorNot]

Taking Cooper to CFA wasn't an every day thing, but neither was it at all "rare." Ross took him there, iirc, 3-5 times a month.

Whether Ross was heading towards late or not, a toddler has to eat, and by the accounts I've read (accuracy not verified), being late wasn't unusual for Ross.

I agree with you about the effort involved in taking a toddler out to eat them back into a car...there's nothing automatic about that process, and it requires paying at least a minimum amount of attention.

It seems that Harris was texting/sexting late the night before, in the morning before he left CFA, and as soon as he arrived at work. Not difficult to believe, IMO, that he in fact wasn't paying much attention to Cooper at any time that morning, that his mind went to online GF's the moment he buckled himself up, and that it's entirely possible he lied about kissing Cooper, etc. out of guilt he did no such thing, just stuffed him in his car seat and went back to thinking about who he would text next.

I think this is in dispute, we know RH ate there 3-5 times per month. I am not sure we know how often if ever he took Cooper with him.

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[arkansasmimi]

I look forward to hearing from Leanne as well. She is a strange bird in my opinion. Her comments at the funeral were very strange. Her comments to Ross were also strange ("did you say too much".)

Did they not state that there were internet searches from the home computer about hot car deaths? I found this news article " Police say that both parents did extensive internet searches on the subject and made comments that seemed suspicious after the child’s death..." http://www.waggonerinsurance.com/2016/02/14/wife-of-man-charged-in-hot-car-death-files-for-divorce/ BBM

So, if true, there is another coincidence. Did they both just click on the same link randomly while killing time online? Will the jury believe that?

JMHO it would depend on WHEN the searches were done. From a Google search looking for the info that was referenced in PC Hearing, I found that Gov Deal had just initiated a campaign mid/end of May 2014 about this very thing. Children left in hot cars.

June 2 2014 https://georgia.gov/blog/2014-06-02/two-words-can-save-lives-look-again

 

[Inthedetails]

OT: For anyone who followed baby Delano's case, the verdict is in. We're waiting on his thread for it to be read in court.

 

[arkansasmimi]

If this turns out to be a lie by LE then IMO a mistrial should be declared. Hopefully it will be cleared up when Leanna is on the stand, plus they should have video/audio evidence of the statements.

And as for Professor Diamond (the professional defense witness who testifies about his theory of "Forgotten Baby Syndrome") - don't underestimate the power of his testimony. He helped get Jayde Poole (Australia) off manslaughter charges; she left her baby in the car after driving 186 yards down the street to pick up fast food.

I hope whoever did the forensic examination of the Harris devices got all the evidence (as opposed to what happened in CA).

Respectfully blolded and snipped. I know I have posted this prior, but this same Expert Witness Dr. David Diamnond, also testified at a hot car death of a 18 month old child left in car by a JUDGE July 2015> He was aquitted in Aug 2016.

Snip http://katv.com/news/local/expert-witness-family-of-naramore-testify-in-hot-car-death-trial
Diamond said there were several factors that relate to the Naramore case. One of the main factors he pointed to was a change in routine. He said there were a number of changes to the Naramore's routine that day.
Wade Naramore's wife normally got Thomas ready, but Wade said he got Thomas ready that morning. Diamond also spoke on the stop at McDonald's for breakfast, because he normally had a breakfast bar and a banana.
Diamond also spoke about possible sleep deprivation, along with stress or distractions.
The prosecution questioned Diamond's expertise in the case, and pointed out that most of his testimony is based off Naramore's description of that day.

On the stand Thursday morning was a neuroscientist who began his testimony talking about "Forgotten Baby Syndrome," saying "it can happen to anyone."

"You see some of the most wonderful parents that leave their children in cars," he testified, adding that the phenomenon increased beginning in the late 90s when child seats moved to the back of vehicles in response to airbag injuries.

He told the courtroom that it's more likely to happen when a parent is sleep deprived or out of their normal routine, explaining further that parts of the brain processing plan making, new information and habit compete with and suppress each other.

The neuroscientist said the strength of the brain's habit function shows when a drink is left on top of the car. As soon as you grab your keys, the familiar process kicks in, he said.

On the day Thomas Naramore died, the neuroscientist said his father's routine of taking his son to daycare was interrupted by a stop at McDonald's. The witness continued by saying that the restart of the habit function took Naramore on to work. http://www.myarklamiss.com/news/local-news/arkansas-judge-found-not-guilty-at-hot-car-death-trial

 

[arkansasmimi]

Taking Cooper to CFA wasn't an every day thing, but neither was it at all "rare." Ross took him there, iirc, 3-5 times a month.

Whether Ross was heading towards late or not, a toddler has to eat, and by the accounts I've read (accuracy not verified), being late wasn't unusual for Ross.

I agree with you about the effort involved in taking a toddler out to eat them back into a car...there's nothing automatic about that process, and it requires paying at least a minimum amount of attention.

It seems that Harris was texting/sexting late the night before, in the morning before he left CFA, and as soon as he arrived at work. Not difficult to believe, IMO, that he in fact wasn't paying much attention to Cooper at any time that morning, that his mind went to online GF's the moment he buckled himself up, and that it's entirely possible he lied about kissing Cooper, etc. out of guilt he did no such thing, just stuffed him in his car seat and went back to thinking about who he would text next.

I think there possibly a damning text or post sometime that morning prior to work also (from podcast) that State will use paraphrasing needing a break. It was late when I listened but it kinda made me go hmm

 

[arkansasmimi]

Here's what Ross himself had to say about the bottle rocket accident that caused him to go deaf in one ear:

"I really can't tell anymore. I think my left ear has compensated for what Im missing in my right ear."

From the same site where the child free search apparently took place (Red*it is not linkable here on WS)

One of RH friend, college alumni and coworker that went to lunch with that day, has also testified that he had to get on RH LEFT ear when he spoke to him. JMHO from researching the PC hearing and Podcast.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Quote Originally Posted by alwaysonmymind View Post
I haven't been able to watch the live coverage and watched this today.

Things that stand out to me:

I caught a glimpse as the prosecutor was showing the jury the photo of Cooper at the scene. Coopers arms were drawn up as if he were riding a pony.

#JusticeforCooper
https://youtu.be/u0tcmdGktaI
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Hmmm, I thought witnesses testified that Cooper's arms were by his side ????

Respectfully Bold and snipped.

James Hawkins gave Cooper CPR "hands clinched"
Brad Schumpert CSI guy, testified that "young child, knees slightly bent, arms to side..."

 

[Hope4More]

I think there possibly a damning text or post sometime that morning prior to work also (from podcast) that State will use paraphrasing needing a break. It was late when I listened but it kinda made me go hmm

He texted that he loved Cooper, but that both of them needed their escapes.

IMO it's not only not incriminating, but almost silly of the DA to try to spin it that way.

Of course parents need an occasional "escape" from their kids, no apologies necessary or required.

The "both" he was referring to almost certain referred to the woman he was texting, not Cooper. He was IMO rationalizing their hooking up/sexting for himself and for her.

Not an admirable way to "escape," but the "escape" had nothing to do with Cooper, unless what he was saying was that even though he loved Cooper he was willing to risk his marriage by hooking up.

 

[arkansasmimi]

I think he had a sexting addiction, like an addiction to drugs. So does that mean he is less culpable than a drug-addict or alcoholic?

For me personally, I want the State to present evidence that "sexting" happened during the time of him allegedly forgetting the child in the car. Otherwise to me that is not relevant to RH leaving him in the car. JMHO the sexting in itself is yuck but I want to know how THAT has some kind of connection with leaving child in car.

 

[matou]

I thought he was on his phone at chick-fil-a, in the car and walking out of the car to his office.

 

[arkansasmimi]

Quote Originally Posted by Hope4More View Post
Taking Cooper to CFA wasn't an every day thing, but neither was it at all "rare." Ross took him there, iirc, 3-5 times a month.

I think this is in dispute, we know RH ate there 3-5 times per month. I am not sure we know how often if ever he took Cooper with him.

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Respectfully snip and bold
From the PC Hearing, JMHO it seems to me that RH went to the CF very routinely. IIRC maybe daily for breakfast and also lunch. Also iirc there was a text message of when last time had taken Cooper there or for breakfast Daddy time, and had been a while. Stoddard was asked if they had the financial reports for RH going there. JMHO the Defense probably has receipts showing how often RH visited that CH and when.