Wrongful death trial begins. Trial coverage and discussion

[Lezah]

Thankyou😊

 

[Tortoise]

It speaks volumes about the defence that they worked so hard to keep the jury from seeing Rebecca's handwriting.

 

[Inparadise]

I have a few questions, why was Adam even in Coronado ? Did he even see Max ? Did he even see Jonah ? It makes no sense. When was the last time Jonah and Adam had seen each other before this happened ? If Adam was there for support of his brother he would have been at the hospital not the mansion.

I believe that the last time Adam and Jonah saw each other prior to July, 2011 was at ES's Bar Mitzvah.

 

[bourne]

Hi Bourne, I did go over there today at about 1:30 (court usually breaks for lunch approx 1200-130) and there were about 15-20 seats still avail. If you go, when you walk in the courtroom door, try to sit to the left so you can see the screen that they use to project photos, etc. Bailiff will ask you to turn off your phone (not just put it on silence).

Thanks Sillypants! I will try to go soon.

 

[Myvice]

Thank you all so much for all the updates! Justice for Rebecca!

 

[ZoriahNZ]

Wow, so if her bound ankles were connected to the bindings on her wrists, causing her legs to be forced into a partially bent position, how the heck did this woman manage to get herself out on the balcony and launch herself over the railing if she couldn't even stand up properly let alone walk!!?

 

[Seattle1]

So did only her driver's license signature get into evidence (and I saw it was objected to even), or did other samples of her handwriting get in, like those shown above?

The court room video by KUSI shows what appears to be an "application" hand printed by RZ indicating employment and address outside USA (i.e., Germany).
http://www.kusi.com/testimony-continues-in-coronado-mansion-wrongful-death-case/

 

[Lezah]

It speaks volumes about the defence that they worked so hard to keep the jury from seeing Rebecca's handwriting.

The defense objected to virtually everything it seems! Four expert witnesses from what I can see...including Dr Wecht...

You can see why the costs are so enormous for the family, having to respond and fight all the objections...before they even got to court!...which is why every cent on the fundraiser is so important.

The family will likely be paying a very high hourly rate for the DNA witness who sat on the bench outside court for 7 hours yesterday - and couldn’t testify because of the defenses arguments against the previous expert witness.

 

[Tricia]

Hey Everyone,

Mr. Greer texted me this morning and apologized all over the place. He asked if we could do the interview later today.

I said yes of course and told him the last thing he should be worrying about is our interview.

Keith Greer is a great guy IMO.

I'll keep you posted.

Tricia

 

[Lezah]

Wow, so if her bound ankles were connected to the bindings on her wrists, causing her legs to be forced into a partially bent position, how the heck did this woman manage to get herself out on the balcony and launch herself over the railing if she couldn't even stand up properly let alone walk!!?

...exactly....

Think about it.. if the bindings were put on by RZ to prevent her ‘changing her mind’ about suicide as is claimed, why are they slack? It defeats the objective.
However, if the wrist and ankles bindings were strapped together, she would be held in a kneeling position. After death, when these bindings were cut ( parted at the connection) it would explain the slackening found by the police.

Look at the end of the rope visible on some of the crime scene photos ( it’s a bit distressing looking at these I know, but pay attention to the cuts, they are as significant as the knots.

Look too at the rope hanging from the balcony, the cut. Does it look like it was hacked through with a 100 pound weight on the end of it? Cut any rope with a weight and it frays dramatically. It doesn’t appear to be the case here...I wish cynic could work his or her magic on the photos of the ends of the ropes so we could see better...

 

[Lezah]

Hi Bourne, I did go over there today at about 1:30 (court usually breaks for lunch approx 1200-130) and there were about 15-20 seats still avail. If you go, when you walk in the courtroom door, try to sit to the left so you can see the screen that they use to project photos, etc. Bailiff will ask you to turn off your phone (not just put it on silence).

Thanks so much. Is the courtroom in the main building? Is it easy to find?

 

[Lezah]

Hey Everyone,

Mr. Greer texted me this morning and apologized all over the place. He asked if we could do the interview later today.

I said yes of course and told him the last thing he should be worrying about is our interview.

Keith Greer is a great guy IMO.

I'll keep you posted.

Tricia

Thanks so much for keeping us all updated

 

[Tortoise]

photos of the knot expert at trial. It is a mannequin - I was a bit shocked at first glance!

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...eath-rebecca-zahau-20180307-photogallery.html

 

[Peaceful]

As more information comes out every day all I keep thinking is this "suicide" case was tainted by more than just incompetence. It seems like a blatant ignore the facts and cover it up to me. The hatred displayed toward Rebecca this entire 7 years has been repulsive. Those responsible will not escape ultimate justice. I just hope we all get to see that justice take them down, one by one.

 

[MzOpinion8d]

I believe that the last time Adam and Jonah saw each other prior to July, 2011 was at ES's Bar Mitzvah.

Which would have been how long before?

 

[Imp]

photos of the knot expert at trial. It is a mannequin - I was a bit shocked at first glance!

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...eath-rebecca-zahau-20180307-photogallery.html

Yeah, those are pretty disturbing. I can't help thinking how horrific some of the evidence is for the Zahaus.

The mannequin's legs are also bent. I confess I never considered RZ's leg and wrist ropes were connected. Sickening.

 

[MzOpinion8d]

photos of the knot expert at trial. It is a mannequin - I was a bit shocked at first glance!

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com...eath-rebecca-zahau-20180307-photogallery.html

And a mannequin that was treated more respectfully than Rebecca herself on the day of her death, sadly.

 

[Tortoise]

I can't think of one reason she would have been gripping the knife by the blade with both hands behind her back if she was able to slip her hand out of the binding as the investigators claimed.

 

[Inparadise]

Which would have been how long before?

I don't recall the exact date, but it was earlier in 2011 at Temple Chai in Scottsdale.

 

[minorone]

Do we know how sharp the knife was that was used to cut the rope into pieces & was the knife tested to see how easy it would have been to cut the rope into the pieces needed to tie her up. Anytime I have cut a rope there are bits of fibers & debris from the cutting. Were any rope fibers found on the premises from the ropes being cut into pieces.

I think rope ends are usually fused with a match or candles to prevent the ends from untwisting and fraying.