Trial Thread 4/20/2012

[JayFriend]

If you find it online, could you post it please?

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/ToriStafford/2012/04/20/19658796.html

 

[Wondergirl]

"Charity Spitzig, 26, testified that she deposited $400 at 9:47 a.m. in his bank account on April 8, 2009 and another $100 at 2:47 p.m. the same day because Rafferty had asked for it." From the Star article.

This is, IMHO, a smoking gun.

He withdraws cash that he had previously demanded for gas money, while she waits in the car; then he goes directly to Home Depot, where she gets out and he waits in the car. What exactly does a teenaged junkie need at Home Depot? A caulking gun? A light switch cover? Grass seed for that bare patch on the lawn? Why does one of them always wait in the car?

OK, I'm being mean and irrational and am seeing guilt because I've let emotions get the better of me. She stopped to get a pack of gum and a magazine; they have that at Home Depot, yes?

She walks out with a small bag. So naturally, he pops the trunk. Why did he pop the trunk? I'll say that again for effect. A teenaged junkie walks out of Home Depot with a small bag in her hands; he was waiting in the car, and he pops the trunk. Why does he pop the trunk when she's carrying a small bag? I don't recall her leaning in as one might, to say "Pop the trunk."

It's because he knows what the bag contains. He just withdrew money to pay for it. Pre-meditation. His hands were on the wheel, literally and figuratively.

Well said, good post!

 

[matou]

What was MR's demeanor today in court?

 

[Oldsoul2]

I've always believed that escorts are higher paid prostitutes. I'm pretty sure that is what they are.... MOO

Thank you tt...I got a good laugh

 

[SFB73]

Well said, good post!

Not to mention, this would have been the perfect time for MR to do the right thing if he really knew the child was in danger. Didn't they also park so far away from the doors of HD as well?

I was thinking about this the other night, if the seat was removed prior to the abduction, it looks bad for him as well as if it was removed after, the seat could have been removed to keep other people from noticing a child fitting the description of tori out of sight as they travelled the route they took, not knowing when the description of the missing girl would be in the media.

In my opinion, the escort, the long list of girls he dated all really are irrelevant when you get right to the heart of the trial, unless the defense can come up with a bombshell, the jury will return a guilty verdict on the kidnapping charge for sure.

 

[Wondergirl]

This is pretty damning evidence, IMO.

It is another indicator of pre-meditation.

He instant-messaged her early that afternoon for more — this time, he said, for gas. She transferred another $100 to his account.

At 5 p.m., Mr. Rafferty was captured on video at a Guelph gas station, taking money (presumably Ms. Spitzig’s) out of an ATM. A few minutes later, McClintic was in the adjacent Home Depot, captured on video buying, in cash, the murder weapon (a hammer) and the garbage bags that served as a little girl’s shroud.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...n-michael-raffertys-frenetic-sexual-calendar/

 

[Wondergirl]

Thank-you, Christie Blatchford, for saying it so succinctly.

OMG
The horror of it all.

By 7:52 that evening, Tori barely cold in her grave, Mr. Rafferty was texting Patrycja Demides for the first of 10 times that night (they were arguing, she testified, and in mid-breakup); by 10:29 p.m., Mr. Rafferty was texting Ms. Haid to firm up their rendezvous the next day; at 11:31 p.m., he was texting Celina Horvath. (She declined to meet him in person, wise, it turns out, beyond her then 18 years.)

Horrified, Mr. Derstine proclaimed his client was to see that child dead. Really? All the evidence suggests that April 8, 2009 was just another ordinary Michael Rafferty day.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...n-michael-raffertys-frenetic-sexual-calendar/

 

[Oldsoul2]

I am not suggesting anything I was just asking a question as to why the ban was in place. I asked a couple of days ago but it wasnt answered so I thought that maybe it was because there is another trial going on either for them alone or maybe against him. Just really asking why is all

IDK if someone already answered this for you but the ban is in place so the defendant could have a fair trial because 1) TLM already testified in her own trial and they didn't want a tainted jury pool if the media leaked the information to the public. If it was considered an unfair trial, the defense could claim a mistrial and the case would have to be tried all over again. All the information will be published once the trial is over. 2) Canada has different laws regarding media involvement

 

[crystalsleuth]

I find it interesting that many people are automatically deciding that CS is a victim and/or was manipulated by MR.

What if this "partnership" was something that they planned together?

JMO, but I don't feel like there were enough questions asked of her for me to think that she was/wasn't manipulated and/or was/wasn't a victim.

Again, JMO!

 

[Hello_Kitty]

Not to mention, this would have been the perfect time for MR to do the right thing if he really knew the child was in danger. Didn't they also park so far away from the doors of HD as well?

I was thinking about this the other night, if the seat was removed prior to the abduction, it looks bad for him as well as if it was removed after, the seat could have been removed to keep other people from noticing a child fitting the description of tori out of sight as they travelled the route they took, not knowing when the description of the missing girl would be in the media.

In my opinion, the escort, the long list of girls he dated all really are irrelevant when you get right to the heart of the trial, unless the defense can come up with a bombshell, the jury will return a guilty verdict on the kidnapping charge for sure.

Except that TLM said that MTR told her to cut chunks out of the back seat. So if her testimony is true then the back seat was there when TS was kidnapped. However, i think the testimonies on that back seat are very confusing, the witnesses say they saw it at different times, it's possible that he did remove it and put it back in. Perhaps he did want to put a speaker back there but it didn't fit so he put the seat back in.

 

[matou]

Now, the jurors know where he got the money: He was living off the avails of prostitution.

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com...n-michael-raffertys-frenetic-sexual-calendar/

 

[matou]

Was CS cross examined by Derstine? I haven't read through everything yet. TIA

 

[Kamille]

This is pretty damning evidence, IMO.

It is another indicator of pre-meditation.

Yes he knew he was going to buy the percs and what they would cost him (I thought it was $300) and he probably thought the $400 would cover him for the day but something unexpected came up later in the afternoon so he asked for more? Too bad they didn't ask her how often he would do that. Ask for money twice in one day.

MOO

 

[Wondergirl]

I find it interesting that many people are automatically deciding that CS is a victim and/or was manipulated by MR.

What if this "partnership" was something that they planned together?

JMO, but I don't feel like there were enough questions asked of her for me to think that she was/wasn't manipulated and/or was/wasn't a victim.

Again, JMO!

BBM: It was a partnership, she testified to that.

"We discussed me going into the escorting business, which I did, and from there on in any money that I was making would go directly to him.”

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/ToriStafford/2012/04/20/19658796.html

 

[Wondergirl]

Here is the video of Charity. She looked pretty focused and ready to testify, IMO. It took, um, kahoonas, if you ask me, excuse the term, but, JMO!

Escort drops Rafferty bombshell

Last Updated: April 20, 2012 7:35pm

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/raffertytrial/2012/04/20/19660781.html

 

[Kamille]

I find it interesting that many people are automatically deciding that CS is a victim and/or was manipulated by MR.

What if this "partnership" was something that they planned together?

JMO, but I don't feel like there were enough questions asked of her for me to think that she was/wasn't manipulated and/or was/wasn't a victim.

Again, JMO!

Because that is not what she stated on the stand and his defense attorney did not challenge her.

MOO

ETA: She pretty much indicated that she had been used and manipulated by him. And Derstine did not try to cross examine her on that information.

 

[Oldsoul2]

It sure doesn't look like she shied away from the cameras! Other than BA isn't this the first one who's picture was shown?

I didn't see that photo of BA, I'm curious, could you post a link if possible thanks max, also who is the second girl in the video posted above talking to CS outside?

 

[Hello_Kitty]

Was CS cross examined by Derstine? I haven't read through everything yet. TIA

This is the extent of his cross of CS, he asked her if the seat was in the car


AM980.ca‏@AM980_Court
The crown has called Elysia Haid.

Read from bottom to top for Derstine's cross.

8h AM980.ca‏@AM980_Coury

They may not consider character flaws as a reason to convict Rafferty.

8h AM980.ca‏@AM980_Court
He saystheycan consider their evidence when it comes to his actions relation to April 8th, 2009 and Tori Stafford.

AM980.ca‏@AM980_CourtReply
Heeney is telling the jury they may NOT consider Rafferty being "philandering cad" as part of the evidence.




AM980.ca‏@AM980_CourtReply
Derstine has asked about raising a legal issue. The jury has been excused for a few minutes.


9h AM980.ca‏@AM980_Court
Derstine cross examining. Asks about the back seat of Rafferty's car being removed. She says it was in March of 2009. No more questions.

 

[crazyladi]

Here is the video of Charity. She looked pretty focused and ready to testify, IMO. It took, um, kahoonas, if you ask me, excuse the term, but, JMO!

Escort drops Rafferty bombshell

Last Updated: April 20, 2012 7:35pm

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/raffertytrial/2012/04/20/19660781.html

I think Tara was talking to her because she may have wanted to pick her brain about MTR. JMO I know I would do the same.

 

[brighidin]

Damn. A pimp. I did not see that one coming.
I can't believe he manipulated that woman into giving him all the money she made as a sex worker. Wow wow wow.

The judge called him a "cad"? Ugh. Reminds me of the MB judge last year who blamed a rape victim because she was wearing a tank top and makeup. I agree that just his dating history doesn't make him a murder, but this is ridiculous. The Crown isn't bring up all these women to show that he was incapable of being monogamous. Sheesh. Canadian judges - GMAB!

Obviously the argument that TLM manipulated MR, that poor dupe, no longer holds water: he was THE master manipulator.

all imo.