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Thanks both of you, you're so good with trial reports!
GUILTY UK - Lexi Draper, 3, & Scarlett Vaughan, 16 mos, murdered, Skiddaw, Rugby, Jan/Feb 2018 *GUILTY*
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Thanks both of you, you're so good with trial reports!
10:33
Day three
The jury is set to hear more evidence in the trial here at Birmingham Crown Court today.
Last week, Porton was described as behaving like someone who “had lost their goldfish” following the deaths of her daughters by a witness.
The jury was also read messages sent from and to Porton’s mobile phone - including one where she admitted she had left her children alone to have sex with a man inside his van.
You can read more on that here
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Day three
The jury is set to hear more evidence in the trial here at Birmingham Crown Court today.
Last week, Porton was described as behaving like someone who “had lost their goldfish” following the deaths of her daughters by a witness.
The jury was also read messages sent from and to Porton’s mobile phone - including one where she admitted she had left her children alone to have sex with a man inside his van.
You can read more on that here
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
10:41
999 call
Everybody is now in the courtroom, including the jury, and the trial is back underway.
Detective Constable Julie Timerick is back in court today to once again guide the jury through the timetable of events in this case.
The jury begins by hearing a 999 call placed by Porton at around 12.50am on January 15, 2018.
Porton says that Lexi is not breathing and unconscious, before the call operator takes Porton through how to provide CPR.
10:55
CPR on Lexi
The jury can hear Scarlett Vaughan crying in the background as Porton is carrying out CPR on Lexi.
A paramedic then comes on to the phone and Porton is asked to carry on doing compressions for a few minutes until the ambulance crew arrives and the call ends.
The court hears that Lexi Draper was pronounced dead at 1.02am and three minutes later the ambulance control room informed police of the death.
At 1.14am police arrive at Beechwood Court - the property where Porton was living and where Lexi had died.
11:02
'Nothing more they can do'
Messages from Porton’s phone show she sent a text to her sister Karen at 1.11am that morning saying: “Nothing more they can do!!!”
The jury is now being shown CCTV footage from Beechwood Court that shows - at different times - the arrival of police officers and then Karen Porton and her children.
Porton’s father is also seen arriving at the scene.
CCTV footage also shows the body of Lexi being taken from the property.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
999 call
Everybody is now in the courtroom, including the jury, and the trial is back underway.
Detective Constable Julie Timerick is back in court today to once again guide the jury through the timetable of events in this case.
The jury begins by hearing a 999 call placed by Porton at around 12.50am on January 15, 2018.
Porton says that Lexi is not breathing and unconscious, before the call operator takes Porton through how to provide CPR.
10:55
CPR on Lexi
The jury can hear Scarlett Vaughan crying in the background as Porton is carrying out CPR on Lexi.
A paramedic then comes on to the phone and Porton is asked to carry on doing compressions for a few minutes until the ambulance crew arrives and the call ends.
The court hears that Lexi Draper was pronounced dead at 1.02am and three minutes later the ambulance control room informed police of the death.
At 1.14am police arrive at Beechwood Court - the property where Porton was living and where Lexi had died.
11:02
'Nothing more they can do'
Messages from Porton’s phone show she sent a text to her sister Karen at 1.11am that morning saying: “Nothing more they can do!!!”
The jury is now being shown CCTV footage from Beechwood Court that shows - at different times - the arrival of police officers and then Karen Porton and her children.
Porton’s father is also seen arriving at the scene.
CCTV footage also shows the body of Lexi being taken from the property.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
11:04
'RIP my sleeping angel'
On the same day at 10.51am, Porton visited a networking website used by models and photographers.
Information from her phone shows that Porton sent a number of similar messages to people that morning saying that Lexi had passed away.
She also made a post on social media, stating: “RIP my sleeping angel. Will never forget you. Mummy loves you. Can’t believe you’ve gone.”
11:15
Mum on dating website the day after daughters death
On January 16, 2018 - the day after Lexi’s death - Porton was sending messages to somebody via a site called Badoo and told them she was a model.
Porton then told this person: “My little girl just passed away yesterday.”
That evening Porton logged on to the Meetme dating website and accepted 41 friend requests, says Nina Ellin for the prosecution.
At around 8am an arranged meet-up with somebody was put off until a later date, the phone messages show.
11:17
Arranging dates
Also on the evening of January 16, Porton exchanged messages with a man called Leon in which he asked: “You looking for a date then?”
Porton replied: “Yeah see how it goes xx.”
They speak of meeting up and Porton says she will “see if my sister watch my little one”.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
'RIP my sleeping angel'
On the same day at 10.51am, Porton visited a networking website used by models and photographers.
Information from her phone shows that Porton sent a number of similar messages to people that morning saying that Lexi had passed away.
She also made a post on social media, stating: “RIP my sleeping angel. Will never forget you. Mummy loves you. Can’t believe you’ve gone.”
11:15
Mum on dating website the day after daughters death
On January 16, 2018 - the day after Lexi’s death - Porton was sending messages to somebody via a site called Badoo and told them she was a model.
Porton then told this person: “My little girl just passed away yesterday.”
That evening Porton logged on to the Meetme dating website and accepted 41 friend requests, says Nina Ellin for the prosecution.
At around 8am an arranged meet-up with somebody was put off until a later date, the phone messages show.
11:17
Arranging dates
Also on the evening of January 16, Porton exchanged messages with a man called Leon in which he asked: “You looking for a date then?”
Porton replied: “Yeah see how it goes xx.”
They speak of meeting up and Porton says she will “see if my sister watch my little one”.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
11:27
'I'm about to give up'
In messages between Porton and her sister Karen, Porton says: “I’m coping really bad. It’s all a front. Just trying my best for Scarlett otherwise I would give her up.”
Karen asks about Porton “meeting up with lads” and adds: “You’ve just got to look after Scarlett and give her what she needs.”
On January 19, Karen said that Porton was acting the same as she did before Lexi died, to which Porton replied: “If you want me to act in person how I feel, I’m putting a front on. I’m about to give up trying to hold together as much as I possibly can.”
11:36
Help with funeral costs
The court hears that Porton set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral costs for Lexi and shared the link with a number of people.
On January 21, Porton gave her number to three more men via Badoo and messages from her phone show that she asked her sister - who she was living with - if she could have a man visit the property.
Karen said she needed to wait until she had her “own place”.
11:39
Mum: 'I hope Scarlett doesn't go the same way'
The phone information shows that on January 24 Porton spoke with another person via Badoo and told them about Lexi’s death, adding that she hopes Scarlett “doesn’t go the same way to be honest”.
Over the next couple of days Porton gave her number to more men via Badoo and told them about Lexi dying and the GoFundMe page she had set up to help towards funeral costs.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/live-louise-porton-murder-daughters-16514708
'I'm about to give up'
In messages between Porton and her sister Karen, Porton says: “I’m coping really bad. It’s all a front. Just trying my best for Scarlett otherwise I would give her up.”
Karen asks about Porton “meeting up with lads” and adds: “You’ve just got to look after Scarlett and give her what she needs.”
On January 19, Karen said that Porton was acting the same as she did before Lexi died, to which Porton replied: “If you want me to act in person how I feel, I’m putting a front on. I’m about to give up trying to hold together as much as I possibly can.”
11:36
Help with funeral costs
The court hears that Porton set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral costs for Lexi and shared the link with a number of people.
On January 21, Porton gave her number to three more men via Badoo and messages from her phone show that she asked her sister - who she was living with - if she could have a man visit the property.
Karen said she needed to wait until she had her “own place”.
11:39
Mum: 'I hope Scarlett doesn't go the same way'
The phone information shows that on January 24 Porton spoke with another person via Badoo and told them about Lexi’s death, adding that she hopes Scarlett “doesn’t go the same way to be honest”.
Over the next couple of days Porton gave her number to more men via Badoo and told them about Lexi dying and the GoFundMe page she had set up to help towards funeral costs.
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/live-louise-porton-murder-daughters-16514708
12:02
CCTV
Porton was given accommodation at the Rugby Hotel on January 29, 2018, and CCTV shows her arrival there, along with Scarlett.
The following day Porton and he daughter were pictured on CCTV leaving the hotel and a few minutes later Porton began a conversation via Badoo with a man who she went on to tell about Lexi’s death and said the hospital hadn’t yet told her how she had died.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
CCTV
Porton was given accommodation at the Rugby Hotel on January 29, 2018, and CCTV shows her arrival there, along with Scarlett.
The following day Porton and he daughter were pictured on CCTV leaving the hotel and a few minutes later Porton began a conversation via Badoo with a man who she went on to tell about Lexi’s death and said the hospital hadn’t yet told her how she had died.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
12:14
Sexual photos
Having given her number to another man via Badoo, they began chatting through WhatsApp and Porton said that she was living in a hotel but hoped to have a house soon.
She also sent him a link to the GoFundMe page for Lexi’s funeral.
The man - named Waqaar - asks Porton for some pictures of her and she sends him images including six of a sexual nature.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Sexual photos
Having given her number to another man via Badoo, they began chatting through WhatsApp and Porton said that she was living in a hotel but hoped to have a house soon.
She also sent him a link to the GoFundMe page for Lexi’s funeral.
The man - named Waqaar - asks Porton for some pictures of her and she sends him images including six of a sexual nature.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
12:25
Funeral parlour visit
The jury is now being shown CCTV footage of Porton attending a funeral business with Scarlett and her sister Karen on January 30.
Porton can be seen holding Scarlett’s hand as they enter, while Scarlett is then holding the hand of a staff member as they leave.
Later that evening Porton and Scarlett are shown walking hand in hand at an Asda store in Rugby.
The next day - January 31 - Porton and Scarlett enter the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Centre and Scarlett spends some time at the creche.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Funeral parlour visit
The jury is now being shown CCTV footage of Porton attending a funeral business with Scarlett and her sister Karen on January 30.
Porton can be seen holding Scarlett’s hand as they enter, while Scarlett is then holding the hand of a staff member as they leave.
Later that evening Porton and Scarlett are shown walking hand in hand at an Asda store in Rugby.
The next day - January 31 - Porton and Scarlett enter the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Centre and Scarlett spends some time at the creche.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
12:45
Next witness is paramedic
Moving away from the timetable, the prosecution is now calling a witness to give evidence.
Mark Mitchell is a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service who was called to Beechwood Court on January 15, 2018, at just before 1am.
12:49
Lexi on floor by bed
Mr Mitchell says: “We we went through the flat door we called out ‘ambulance’ and a voice from the room said ‘in here’.
“My colleague went though and I followed. As we went through the door we could see the child, who I now know to be Lexi, on the floor by the bed.”
12:56
'Rigor mortis had set in'
Mr Mitchell says Porton was kneeling beside Lexi and she moved so he could kneel next to Lexi.
He says that the child was “blue round the lips, her skin was mottled and when we touched her she was cold”.
He adds: “I went to the head and tried to open her airway but her jaw was stiff and I went to move her head and that was stiff.
“I went to move her arm and that was stiff as well which made me think that rigor mortis had set in.”
12:58
'Dead for some time'
Nina Ellin, for the prosecution, asks what the presence of rigor mortis indicated and the medic replies: “That she (Lexi) died some time ago. It takes some time for rigor mortis to set in.”
When asked if anything could be done to help Lexi, Mr Mitchell says: “No. It would have been fruitless t try and resuscitate her at this point.”
It was Mr Mitchell who pronounced Lexi dead at the scene.
13:02
Mum 'burst into tears'
When asked where Porton was during his time in the flat, the paramedic says she was in the room with them and adds: “Once we made the decision not to resuscitate I stood up and spoke to her.
“I said ‘I’m very sorry but I think your daughter is dead and she’s been dead for some time now’.”
Miss Ellin asks how Porton reacted to this and Mr Mitchell says she “burst in to tears” and he tried to comfort her.
He says Porton cried on his shoulder for “probably less then a minute” before leaving the bedroom.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Next witness is paramedic
Moving away from the timetable, the prosecution is now calling a witness to give evidence.
Mark Mitchell is a paramedic with West Midlands Ambulance Service who was called to Beechwood Court on January 15, 2018, at just before 1am.
12:49
Lexi on floor by bed
Mr Mitchell says: “We we went through the flat door we called out ‘ambulance’ and a voice from the room said ‘in here’.
“My colleague went though and I followed. As we went through the door we could see the child, who I now know to be Lexi, on the floor by the bed.”
12:56
'Rigor mortis had set in'
Mr Mitchell says Porton was kneeling beside Lexi and she moved so he could kneel next to Lexi.
He says that the child was “blue round the lips, her skin was mottled and when we touched her she was cold”.
He adds: “I went to the head and tried to open her airway but her jaw was stiff and I went to move her head and that was stiff.
“I went to move her arm and that was stiff as well which made me think that rigor mortis had set in.”
12:58
'Dead for some time'
Nina Ellin, for the prosecution, asks what the presence of rigor mortis indicated and the medic replies: “That she (Lexi) died some time ago. It takes some time for rigor mortis to set in.”
When asked if anything could be done to help Lexi, Mr Mitchell says: “No. It would have been fruitless t try and resuscitate her at this point.”
It was Mr Mitchell who pronounced Lexi dead at the scene.
13:02
Mum 'burst into tears'
When asked where Porton was during his time in the flat, the paramedic says she was in the room with them and adds: “Once we made the decision not to resuscitate I stood up and spoke to her.
“I said ‘I’m very sorry but I think your daughter is dead and she’s been dead for some time now’.”
Miss Ellin asks how Porton reacted to this and Mr Mitchell says she “burst in to tears” and he tried to comfort her.
He says Porton cried on his shoulder for “probably less then a minute” before leaving the bedroom.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
13:14
Hospital admission
The court hears Mr Mitchell asked Porton for some background about what had happened before Lexi was taken ill.
She told him that Lexi had been bathed at about 9pm and she had discovered her in the state she was in when the 999 call was made.
Porton also told Mr Mitchell about Lexi’s recent admission to hospital after suffering “convulsions and a high temperature”.
Mr Mitchell says Porton made a phone call to her sister, who arrived soon after.
13:18
Lexi's body wrapped in blanket
Mr Mitchell says Lexi was wrapped up in blankets and it was he who then carried her body out of Beechwood Court to the ambulance waiting outside.
He then drove the ambulance to University Hospital in Coventry while his colleague, Porton and a police officer were in the back.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Hospital admission
The court hears Mr Mitchell asked Porton for some background about what had happened before Lexi was taken ill.
She told him that Lexi had been bathed at about 9pm and she had discovered her in the state she was in when the 999 call was made.
Porton also told Mr Mitchell about Lexi’s recent admission to hospital after suffering “convulsions and a high temperature”.
Mr Mitchell says Porton made a phone call to her sister, who arrived soon after.
13:18
Lexi's body wrapped in blanket
Mr Mitchell says Lexi was wrapped up in blankets and it was he who then carried her body out of Beechwood Court to the ambulance waiting outside.
He then drove the ambulance to University Hospital in Coventry while his colleague, Porton and a police officer were in the back.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
13:28
Flat was 'noticeably cold'
Under questioning from Porton’s barrister Andrew Smith, Mr Mitchell agreed the flat at Beechwood Court was “noticeably cold” when they arrived.
The medic also says that after Porton had been told Lexi was dead and she had left the bedroom, he next saw her “cuddling” Scarlett in the living room.
13:29
Lunch break
Mr Mitchell has finished giving evidence and the court has broken for lunch.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Flat was 'noticeably cold'
Under questioning from Porton’s barrister Andrew Smith, Mr Mitchell agreed the flat at Beechwood Court was “noticeably cold” when they arrived.
The medic also says that after Porton had been told Lexi was dead and she had left the bedroom, he next saw her “cuddling” Scarlett in the living room.
13:29
Lunch break
Mr Mitchell has finished giving evidence and the court has broken for lunch.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
14:18
Second paramedic giving evidence
We’re back in court following the lunch break and next in the witness box is Tristan Holmes, another medic called to Beechwood Court on January 15 last year.
He was working with the last witness Mr Mitchell that night when they responded to the 999 call regarding Lexi Draper.
His immediate impression of Lexi that she was “motionless, very pale and didn’t appear to be breathing”.
14:26
No signs of life
Nina Ellin asks if there were “any signs of life” from Lexi and Mr Holmes says there wasn’t.
He says the rigor mortis present on Lexi is an “indication to crews not to continue with any kind of life support”.
Mr Holmes says that an ECG reading - a test which measures the electrical activity of the heart - also confirmed no signs of life.
The medic says he was the one who told Louise Porton that Lexi appeared to be dead and Porton “appeared to be upset and crying”.
He adds that his colleague Mark Mitchell “hugged her briefly”.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Second paramedic giving evidence
We’re back in court following the lunch break and next in the witness box is Tristan Holmes, another medic called to Beechwood Court on January 15 last year.
He was working with the last witness Mr Mitchell that night when they responded to the 999 call regarding Lexi Draper.
His immediate impression of Lexi that she was “motionless, very pale and didn’t appear to be breathing”.
14:26
No signs of life
Nina Ellin asks if there were “any signs of life” from Lexi and Mr Holmes says there wasn’t.
He says the rigor mortis present on Lexi is an “indication to crews not to continue with any kind of life support”.
Mr Holmes says that an ECG reading - a test which measures the electrical activity of the heart - also confirmed no signs of life.
The medic says he was the one who told Louise Porton that Lexi appeared to be dead and Porton “appeared to be upset and crying”.
He adds that his colleague Mark Mitchell “hugged her briefly”.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
14:34
Porton 'despondent'
The court hears that Lexi also had “post mortem staining” with Mr Holmes explaining: “The heart is no longer bleeding so blood pools in lower areas. As she (Lexi) was lying on her back her back showed a darker line.”
The paramedic says that there was also “pale phlegm” in Lexi’s mouth.
Mr Holmes then heard another child crying in the flat and found Scarlett inside her cot and picked her up.
He went to find Porton who he says “wasn’t crying” anymore, but did seem “quite despondent”.
Porton eventually took Scarlett from him.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Porton 'despondent'
The court hears that Lexi also had “post mortem staining” with Mr Holmes explaining: “The heart is no longer bleeding so blood pools in lower areas. As she (Lexi) was lying on her back her back showed a darker line.”
The paramedic says that there was also “pale phlegm” in Lexi’s mouth.
Mr Holmes then heard another child crying in the flat and found Scarlett inside her cot and picked her up.
He went to find Porton who he says “wasn’t crying” anymore, but did seem “quite despondent”.
Porton eventually took Scarlett from him.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
14:42
Grandad's grief
Mr Holmes was in the back of the ambulance along with Lexi’s body, Louise Porton and a police officer as they travelled to University Hospital in Walsgrave.
He said that Porton’s father got the chance to see Lexi for the first time in the back of the ambulance before they began driving.
Mr Holmes said: “I remember him seeing Lexi for the first time and being very upset. He had a very large response to it and showed an enormous amount of grief.”
He tells the court that Porton sat in one of the seats facing Lexi in the rear of the ambulance.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Grandad's grief
Mr Holmes was in the back of the ambulance along with Lexi’s body, Louise Porton and a police officer as they travelled to University Hospital in Walsgrave.
He said that Porton’s father got the chance to see Lexi for the first time in the back of the ambulance before they began driving.
Mr Holmes said: “I remember him seeing Lexi for the first time and being very upset. He had a very large response to it and showed an enormous amount of grief.”
He tells the court that Porton sat in one of the seats facing Lexi in the rear of the ambulance.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
14:49
No questions from mum
Mr Holmes says he asked Porton if she had any questions about what was happening while in the back of the ambulance, but she did not.
Andrew Smith QC, defending Porton, states that Porton’s “upset reaction” to being told Lexi was dead was “immediate” - and Mr Holmes agrees.
Mr Smith also repeats that Porton sat in the seat nearest to Lexi inside the ambulance and again the medic agrees.
That concludes his evidence.
14:55
Paramedics 'visibly upset'
Stephen Hargreaves, a paramedic operations manager with West Midlands Ambulance Service, is now giving evidence.
He made the decision to attend the incident at Beechwood Court on January 15, 2018, and heard that the child involved had died via his radio communication before his arrival.
When he arrived he met the crew - Mr Mitchell and Mr Holmes - in a communal hallway and they were “visibly upset”.
He says they explained that resuscitation was “futile” in trying to save Lexi.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
No questions from mum
Mr Holmes says he asked Porton if she had any questions about what was happening while in the back of the ambulance, but she did not.
Andrew Smith QC, defending Porton, states that Porton’s “upset reaction” to being told Lexi was dead was “immediate” - and Mr Holmes agrees.
Mr Smith also repeats that Porton sat in the seat nearest to Lexi inside the ambulance and again the medic agrees.
That concludes his evidence.
14:55
Paramedics 'visibly upset'
Stephen Hargreaves, a paramedic operations manager with West Midlands Ambulance Service, is now giving evidence.
He made the decision to attend the incident at Beechwood Court on January 15, 2018, and heard that the child involved had died via his radio communication before his arrival.
When he arrived he met the crew - Mr Mitchell and Mr Holmes - in a communal hallway and they were “visibly upset”.
He says they explained that resuscitation was “futile” in trying to save Lexi.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
15:00
'Longing glances'
After entering the flat, Mr Hargraves says he saw Louise Porton on a sofa and she was “quite quiet and without emotion at that point”.
Mr Hargreaves also examined Lexi and noticed “hypostasis” - the pooling of blood previously mentioned by Mr Holmes - and that she was “stone cold” to the touch.
Speaking of Porton, he says that she took “some longing glances” towards Lexi during his time inside the flat.
15:08
'Dignified removal'
The jury is told by Mr Hargreaves that he saw Porton’s father - Lexi’s grandfather - arrive at the flat and he was “visually disturbed and very, very upset” at what had happened.
The operations manager says he “assisted Mark Mitchell to prepare Lexi for a dignified removal to the ambulance”.
Mr Smith, defending, asks Mr Hargreaves if his movement was “seamless” through the flat when he first arrived and saw Porton. The witness agrees.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
'Longing glances'
After entering the flat, Mr Hargraves says he saw Louise Porton on a sofa and she was “quite quiet and without emotion at that point”.
Mr Hargreaves also examined Lexi and noticed “hypostasis” - the pooling of blood previously mentioned by Mr Holmes - and that she was “stone cold” to the touch.
Speaking of Porton, he says that she took “some longing glances” towards Lexi during his time inside the flat.
15:08
'Dignified removal'
The jury is told by Mr Hargreaves that he saw Porton’s father - Lexi’s grandfather - arrive at the flat and he was “visually disturbed and very, very upset” at what had happened.
The operations manager says he “assisted Mark Mitchell to prepare Lexi for a dignified removal to the ambulance”.
Mr Smith, defending, asks Mr Hargreaves if his movement was “seamless” through the flat when he first arrived and saw Porton. The witness agrees.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
What in the world does this even suggest?
15:10
Mum crying
Mr Hargreaves says that later on during the incident in the flat he saw Porton crying.
Mr Smith says this was previously described as “sobbing”.
15:10
End of coverage
That ends his evidence and our coverage of the trial today.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Mum crying
Mr Hargreaves says that later on during the incident in the flat he saw Porton crying.
Mr Smith says this was previously described as “sobbing”.
15:10
End of coverage
That ends his evidence and our coverage of the trial today.
Live: Mum accused of murdering daughters on trial
Not sure all this evidence about the mother's reaction/behaviour afterwards is particularly useful, everyone reacts in different ways to grief. When I lost a parent last year (yes, it's not a child, but it was a very sudden death, so a big shock), I was certainly upset, but it wasn't constant, more that tears would come for a minute or so whenever particular thoughts came to me, rest of the time I appeared much more normal. I wasn't arranging dates, sure, but then that's not my normal behaviour; if it was her normal behaviour, then trying to carry on isn't callous or indicative of murder, it's simply a coping mechanism. Mine was continuing to follow news about my favourite video games, like that didn't matter at all at the time, but it was a piece of normality that helped!
I'd be concerned that this evidence could actually harm the case depending on the life experiences of the jury; some would think it automatically means guilt, while others might think like me, and feel all this emphasis on her behaviour suggests a lack of "real" evidence. Hopefully they'll get to something more concrete later on, I'm not really sure what they're trying to achieve with all this, especially as most witnesses say she did show some emotion anyway, so it's not even consistent.
I'd be concerned that this evidence could actually harm the case depending on the life experiences of the jury; some would think it automatically means guilt, while others might think like me, and feel all this emphasis on her behaviour suggests a lack of "real" evidence. Hopefully they'll get to something more concrete later on, I'm not really sure what they're trying to achieve with all this, especially as most witnesses say she did show some emotion anyway, so it's not even consistent.
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She seems like a very unpleasant person but Istill hope they convict her on more than her weird and narcisstic behaviour.
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