I am re-watching the cross of ME, and it occurs to me that the sequence of the wounds is very important to them. I believe they already know the sequence, and are going to use that (either by Jodi's testimony, or in their closing) to bolster their self defense claim. Since we are only making an educated guess to try to figure that out, they have the upper hand in that area. I don't think it has anything to do with the cruelty factor, and what would it have to do with the premeditation?
Why would the defense go to so much trouble in their cross since they acknowledge her guilt? I think they are trying to tailor the testimony to the scenario she has given them - or in the alternative, at least the story they believe will (weather from her or not) will bolster self defense.
I agree with you. I believe they need the gunshot wound to be first to support whatever story they plan to present.
I know it's twisted logic, but I think (posted this yesterday) they might present something like this:
Something happened and Jodi shot him. BUT THIS SHOT WAS NOT FATAL and he was still up and about, thus the defense going on about people walking around with an arrow in their head, etc. Then he came after her and tried to kill her, so she grabbed the knife in the bedroom and started stabbing him.
Someone responded saying this would not be legally possible as a self defense claim if she admitted to first shooting him, but why not? If the defense can say she shot him b/c she was afraid (or not) but that it was NOT A FATAL WOUND, (which is what Flores said in his investigative report!), then why couldn't the subsequent fatal stabs/slashes be claimed to be in self-defense.
What else could she possibly say to claim self-defense?