Peterson's ex-girlfriend testifies today

The National Post ^ | 11/12/03 | Julie Smith

[middie]

Hey, how about a radical idea? Let's empanel a jury, allow them to hear the admissible facts (as opposed to speculation, fervently wishing and supposition). Then we have the trial judge instruct that jury on the applicable law they must apply to the facts they've heard and the evidence admitted. After that, we allow the jury to deliberate and, on the solemn oath they've taken to "well and truly decide the constested issues," have them express the truth as closely as it can be found on those facts and the law supplemented by the common sense that the twelve of them brought into the courthouse.

We disgrace our Republic and reject the very liberties our populace has defended and for which many have sacrifice when we condemn and castigate a jury for its collective decision when we think the verdict is erroneous.

Juries and juors try their collective best to honor the oath they swore to before hearing any testimony. Anyone who protests otherwise and unilaterally announces that some publicly notorious defendant is guilty irrespective of the jury's lengthy deliberations has allowed his ego and fervent ideological wishes to replace our Nation's committment to our 200+ year tradition of justice. The state bears the burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person is guilty---the reverse is not true. If the state fails in its task, as they did this week out in Texas with the Durst trial, the jury would be disloyal to their oath if they interposed their personal belief - or abdicated their responsibilites based on the screams of the FR crowd or press. If the state doesn't do its job our Constitution demands adherence to the concept of presumption of not guilty.

[Devil_Anse]

When they looked at Laci's cellphone, which was in her car (supposed to be charging, but apparently not) the battery was out of juice.

[Devil_Anse]

Aha! Results back, and good? YAY!!!!

[Spunky]

"Well, I see a door on that wall in the exterior views of that wall. Just to the right of the window as you walk towards the front door. .... .......... I see what you are saying though, the patio doors in the dining room show as a window in the Modesto Bee layout.

You are right. I see the little black line in the Modbee map now, but they didn't number it and say it was a door.

Now what you are calling the patio doors. Are they the same as the French doors. If so those French Doors are numbered 4-5 off the kitchen/sitting room area. Which is the patio area. I wouldn't think they would have a sliding door or french doors going off the dining room towards the west. There doesn't appear to be a patio there or anything other than a small shed. Oh! wait a minute. I do see a jacuzzi way out there now.

Wow! you were right. If those are doors there they do have a lot of doors in that house.

I would be going crazy wondering if I had them all locked during the daytime, let alone at night.

[fiesti]

But the French doors do not open out onto the same side of the house as the driveway. Why would he be taking her out of those doors, instead of out a door closer to the driveway?


to drown her in the pool????

[Devil_Anse]

Yes, most grand juries hear multiple cases.

With regard to Scott, I don't think the federal grand jury in Fresno was doing anything except probing Laci's disappearance. It was at first thought to be a kidnapping. Kidnapping: federal involvement. JMO.

[Devil_Anse]

That makes perfect sense, Cloe. Thanks.

[Devil_Anse]

He said he hated the thought of being a dad? That's very interesting!

[MEG33]

I think one of his golfing buddies said he dreaded having a baby.

[Devil_Anse]

Well, when I looked at the floorplan, what I thought were the French doors didn't seem to open out directly towards the pool, either.

I was picturing the driveway on the wrong side of the house. I now think that the scrunched-up rug was indeed by a door which would lead directly out to the driveway. Bingo!

There may well have been some involvement with the pool, though, who knows? I heard the cops saw fit to drain it.

[Devil_Anse]

If true, I find that so weird.

I have known, or known of, many young men who were pretty much indifferent to babies--not like women at all. Or they liked babies IN THEORY, but they never actually pictured themselves holding one, etc.

These men would invariably change radically when they had their first child. Suddenly, babies would be a really big thing to them.

So I've seen the indifference, but I don't think I've ever seen a man that absolutely abhorred the thought of having a baby, especially a son. The closest example I can think of is my friend's self-absorbed ex-husband. When people would ask him if he and his wife were planning to have kids, he'd say, "I like being an only child, ha ha." Incidentally, this man was a successful sales rep, and tended towards self-absorption.

[fiesti]

I don't know about California, but in Southeastern Florida (and at least some other parts) nautical/ocean/sealife themes are very popular... I don't know why except perhaps some of the items are easier/cheaper to obtain and more of a visible part of life. IMO, he's too narcissitic(sp) to have contributed to any ideas, help/support, etc. to any domestic affairs...I was surprised to learn that he claimed to have carried the mop bucket.


agreed BUT usually in florida rooms dens and such...babies rooms should be pooh bear and angels etc

[fiesti]

if Laci was decorating Conners room to please Snoot seems it would have been more of a golf theme since his fishing liscense WAS expired

[Devil_Anse]

Heh heh!!

Unfortunately I think his "license" to play golf is also now expired! I hope he's in there so long, he forgets how to even drive a car!

[MEG33]

I am so disappointed that the detective is still on,the DNA rebuttal was on,etc.I missed all afternoon and early evening info so I expected to log on to real newsy new stuff!

[Devil_Anse]

I know, I missed the shows tonight, except for a few minutes of LKL. After reading here, it seems that one emerging question is whether Amber really started taping Scott's calls even before all this happened. I sure would like to read any testimony Brocchini might have given today!

[Sandylapper]

Where in my posting did I ever say the dining room faced the pool?

Sorry, Spunk, didn't mean to imply that you had said it--it was something I read and believed for a long time. Now, I know it's incorrect.

[Devil_Anse]

"You were trying to poison his mind against Scott Peterson," McAllister charged.

Hey. That sounds like a STATEMENT to me. I thought Mr. McAllister was supposed to be asking QUESTIONS?

I hope Distaso said, "Judge, if Mr. McAllister is going to testify, I ask that he be sworn in first."

[Sandylapper]

WHOA, Mags! Interesting day they must have had in court!

[Sandylapper]

I'm sure something about it was in the transcripts, but here's an excerpted portion of LKL on 11/06/03.

KING: "Johnnie, by the way, you know LA courtrooms as well as anyone. Geragos well fit, well suited for this?"

COCHRAN: "He really is. He's very thorough. He's very methodical. He knows what he's doing. And he's the right man, probably, for this particular case. You notice today, he made a motion today, Larry, that the FBI had been surveilling Scott's home and those tapes have not been turned over. It's difficult sometimes to get the FBI involved. And the judge has said if the FBI doesn't turn those tapes over, that there may be -- a motion for dismissal may be granted."