JURORS START DELIBERATIONS * AND THEY ASK QUESTIONS * WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
AND THEY’RE OFF…
Jurors started their deliberations of Ross Harris’ fate around 9:30 in the morning after lawyers gathered the 1150 pieces of evidence to send to them.
Almost immediately they started asking questions of Judge Mary Staley Clark;
Jurors started their deliberations of Ross Harris’ fate around 9:30 in the morning after lawyers gathered the 1150 pieces of evidence to send to them.
Almost immediately they started asking questions of Judge Mary Staley Clark;
- Could she define “wanton?” This was used in the law the Judge read to jurors involving (in two cases) malice. The Judge answered that this was not a legal term, so they were on their own. (wan·ton ˈwänt(ə)n/adjective 1. (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked. "sheer wanton vandalism")
- What does this question mean? Well that is unclear, but it is clear it means they were working quickly going down the list of charges.
- Could she provide a transcript of Ross Harris’ interview with Detective Phil Stoddard? The answer was if they wanted to see the interview they needed to watch the video. They later said they wanted to.
- What does this mean? There are a whole lot of issues involving this interview. Harris appears distraught at times, mostly calm throughout the interview, and combative with Stoddard when told he would face criminal charges.
- Harris also paused, then failed to mention to Stoddard he came back to his SUV during lunch (when Cooper was still strapped inside).
- Legal Analyst Esther Panitch: “This was a turning point in the case, when Harris appeared calm discussing the death of his son.”
- Could they see the doll made to represent Cooper in his car seat? Prosecutors had the doll made to use in pictures and animation of what he would have looked like inches behind Harris in the rear-facing car seat. But it never appeared in court, and wasn’t introduced as evidence. The answer was; no.
- What does this mean? Legal Analyst Panitch believes the jurors might have wanted to see if you could miss Cooper in the back seat while driving.
EARLY DAY
Election Day meant jurors only deliberated until noon. They will be back at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday when they will -- at their request -- watch the Harris / Stoddard interview which runs about 90 minutes.
Election Day meant jurors only deliberated until noon. They will be back at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday when they will -- at their request -- watch the Harris / Stoddard interview which runs about 90 minutes.
HOW LONG WILL THE JURY DELIBERATE?
Just
Don’t
Ask
WHAT ARE THE DELIBERATING ON?
There are eight counts in the indictment. There are NO “lesser included” offenses being considered.
All of the murder counts face essentially the same sentence.
Follow the bouncing ball;
Just
Don’t
Ask
WHAT ARE THE DELIBERATING ON?
There are eight counts in the indictment. There are NO “lesser included” offenses being considered.
- Malice Murder
- Felony Murder
- Felony Murder
- Cruelty to Children (1st Degree)
- Cruelty to Children (2nd Degree)
- Criminal Att. Commit a Felony
- Dissemination of Harmful Material to a Minor
- Dissemination of Harmful Material to a Minor
All of the murder counts face essentially the same sentence.
Follow the bouncing ball;
- Count 2 depends upon Count 4
- Count 3 depends upon Count 5
- Legal Analyst Panitch believes if jurors find enough to convict on 4 and 2, then they should have enough to find guilt on 1.