GUILTY UT - Michele MacNeill, 50, found dead in bathtub, Pleasant Grove, 11 April 2007 - #2

[TorisMom003]

The Defense may have outsmarted itself w/ its objection of direct testimony from Ada.

While not a lot of new information was brought forward, there is a strong emotional component to a 7 year old's reply, "I don't want to talk about it." to every question about her father that the police officer presented to her. It was present to those of us who listened and it surely was more powerful for those in the courtroom who listened and observed.

Was the interview with Ada also videotaped? If so, then the jury also got to see Ada and how she reacted physically when asked those questions about not only Michele but also Martin. Then there was the, what sounded like, furious coloring when the interviewer left the room.

 

[minor4th]

Was the interview with Ada also videotaped? If so, then the jury also got to see Ada and how she reacted physically when asked those questions about not only Michele but also Martin. Then there was the, what sounded like, furious coloring when the interviewer left the room.

Yes, I think it was videotaped and that is what was played in court. But the media was not allowed to show Ada.

 

[Ina Cognito]

If the defense were smart they'd call a psychologist to explain a child's reaction to upsetting questions. I think he's guilty as hell but Ada's deflection of questions can simply mean she was upset and as she said didn't want to talk about it. He father is obviously implicated to her, no way she does not know that and thinking of him at that time in her mind may have made her very conflicted as she knew her sisters were angry and she may have felt it wrong to answer in a positive manner.

 

[ohoh]

Oh my, felt so bad for that child.

 

[minor4th]

If the defense were smart they'd call a psychologist to explain a child's reaction to upsetting questions. I think he's guilty as hell but Ada's deflection of questions can simply mean she was upset and as she said didn't want to talk about it. He father is obviously implicated to her, no way she does not know that and thinking of him at that time in her mind may have made her very conflicted as she knew her sisters were angry and she may have felt it wrong to answer in a positive manner.

I was just thinking the same thing. My earlier post I said it could mean she has very bad feelings about her dad that she doesn't understand. But thinking more about it, it could also mean that she has positive feelings towards her dad that she is afraid to express because she doesn't want to upset those who provide her with the necessities of life.

ETA: It is very, very easy to indoctrinate a child that age, even unintentionally.

 

[Italy]

So I'm even more convinced of Martin's guilt after listening to Ada's interview. It is pretty clear that he tried to make her think that Michele was only trying to wet her hair - even though the tub was half full (who turned off the water when the tub got half full if Michele was unconscious?), and even though Michele was all the way in the tub.

Excellent point - Who turned the water off?

I'm surprised the police officer did not ask if there was water running into the tub at the time Ada discovered her mother in the tub. Altho reason suggests that Ada would have mentioned it if that had been the case.

 

[Idaho Lynx]

Martin is one hard hearted dad (grandfather). Karma is going to bite his bottom.

 

[Bravo]

I think they have all they need from Ada. I'm happy this poor little girl doesn't have to go thru testifying.

 

[minor4th]

I think they have all they need from Ada. I'm happy this poor little girl doesn't have to go thru testifying.

Me too. I think the judge was masterful in his ruling on this.

 

[Ina Cognito]

Right, the best way for her to not feel those emotions is simply not to go there. A child that age has a feeling of right and wrong. Even the question of "did mom and dad argue?" She deflected, she knows it's wrong to fight and even if they did she didn't want to tell that to someone as it's "wrong." Severe conflict here in her mind. The defense screaming taint over and over was misdirective, they should have used the word influenced. I'm not sure Alexis or anyone intentionally influenced Ada but children are very observant. Just Ada knowing that Alexis and all the others and her Aunts were mad at her Dad and disliked him will make her question that part of her that loves him....oh this poor little girl. I hope at 12 now she is better able to cope with this.

 

[Bravo]

Just a comment but there is no way a woman who has had a facelift is going to hang her head over the tub to wash her hair. IMO the less painful way would be with her head facing up and someone helping. Wouldn't the stitching get wet also if one is bent forward over the tub? It would be very painful to hang her head after all that surgery. That alone doesn't add up. IMO.

 

[Chelly]

Ada clearly believed Michelle was her Mom. I wonder if she was ever told that Vanessa is her birth mother.

 

[Zuri]

I really, really hate to say this but there are aspects about Ada's answers that do indicate that she has been "coached" or led to give particular answers. That's not to say it's not true, but I do think those around her did influence her - maybe inadvertently.

I know my children would often repeat things they heard me say when they were that young. I think it would be very difficult for a 6 year old to process and understand what she saw in that instant. So how does an interviewer know whether the recollections a child has are actually factual or assimilated with discussions she has maybe been privy to or within earshot of hearing? I would imagine that is tough for LE and Attorneys, psychologists, parents etc. how does one know the difference?

 

[Ina Cognito]

Ada clearly believed Michelle was her Mom. I wonder if she was ever told that Vanessa is her birth mother.

I'm sure she has been. With the high profile of this trial there is too good a chance someone else would tell her or she would find out. Best way to handle it would be honesty with the child.

 

[Harmony 2]

How Michele MacNeill died seems to be somewhat of a mystery, even to medical examiners. The Utah medical examiner's office has never ruled Michele MacNeill's death a homicide.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55057159-78/macneill-willis-death-michele.html.csp

question for minor4th:
Could the varying opinions of the medical examiners and the fact her death was never ruled a homicide be considered as reasonable doubt by the jury?

TIA :seeya:

 

[minor4th]

I'm really stunned that they are done with her.

She was not going to give them anything, and most of the information about Gypsy can come in through other witnesses.

 

[GaveltoGavel]

Just a comment but there is no way a woman who has had a facelift is going to hang her head over the tub to wash her hair. IMO the less painful way would be with her head facing up and someone helping. Wouldn't the stitching get wet also if one is bent forward over the tub? It would be very painful to hang her head after all that surgery. That alone doesn't add up. IMO.

I have a tub like this and facelift or no facelift either way would be most uncomfortable if not painful. Just by chance she did, well she would have had to have done a whole body flip to land the way she was found.

 

[Italy]

Just a comment but there is no way a woman who has had a facelift is going to hang her head over the tub to wash her hair. IMO the less painful way would be with her head facing up and someone helping. Wouldn't the stitching get wet also if one is bent forward over the tub? It would be very painful to hang her head after all that surgery. That alone doesn't add up. IMO.

Excellent point. You are so right.

 

[minor4th]

I know my children would often repeat things they heard me say when they were that young. I think it would be very difficult for a 6 year old to process and understand what she saw in that instant. So how does an interviewer know whether the recollections a child has are actually factual or assimilated with discussions she has maybe been privy to or within earshot of hearing? I would imagine that is tough for LE and Attorneys, psychologists, parents etc. how does one know the difference?

When the interview takes place a year after the event, there's no way to know what is authentic and what is something the kid picked up on from others. I think one can pretty well assume that there has been some influence and assimilation when the child's only exposure has been from people who have very strong opinions and they're all unified.

 

[seattlechiquita]

Listening to testimony again.