a view from the inside: observations from our own court observers #6

[shelley921]

This is an excellent article by Janice Harper. People always think of abuse being done by men on women but women can be violent abusers too. Jodi was a
jealous, obsessed stalker who was capable of anything. Why would any woman drive over a thousand miles to seek out a man that had abused her in the past?
Travis and Jodi were never married, not really in a "relationship" for very long- there was no divorce involved or children or custody troubles & thus no court proceedings.

There were no reports of any abuse ever made and everything shows that she was a willing partner in the sex games.
If Travis had abused her, she certainly would never drive a thousand miles to be abused again. she went there to kill him.

Her defense is an insult to true victims of abuse.
How many men are abused and do not report it as it is not socially acceptable? Perhaps this case will bring male abuse issues to the forefront.

Although we all know Jodi's entire life is a lie, it's disgusting to hear so called "experts" condemn the victim in this case and help drag him through the mud -- especially when it's all based on Jodi's fabricated stories.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/janice-harper/the-burning-bed_b_2981003.html

 

[princesspjs]

I have a fantasy of JM showing her the autopsy photo where TA's head is flexed back so the ME could measure the depth of the neck wound and him asking where that would fit into her precious continuum that places choking on the high end of DV. I want him to make her physically ill, rating the wounds and explaining where each would fall on her invented scale. When she starts to cry on the stand I want him to remind her that each tear is costing the AZ taxpayer about 10 bucks, so pull it together Ms. Expert- you already re-assasinated his character for your Snow White sitting at the defense table now study hard her handy work and tell the jury all about your snow white to wicked witch conversion theory. Is this what it looks like?

This would be perfect. We can actually see the damage that Jodi did when she physically abused Travis. ALV needs to see this since she can't interview Travis to get his thoughts about how much Jodi's abuse hurt him.

In my fantasy, Juan would start off showing Jodi's jacked finger so she can blah blah blah about how this unproven accusation from an admitted liar must be a daily reminder to the abuse that Jodi suffered or whatever idiot theory she may have about it.

Then, out come the autopsy and crime scene photos so ALV can see for herself the real abuse that Travis suffered and discuss each and every wound that was inflicted upon Travis while he fought for his life. I'd like to hear her explanation as to why Jodi escaped that whole incident with nothing more than hurt feelings because Travis said that a 5 year old could hold a camera better than her.

I want to know how ALV excuses Jodi's behavior the day that she slaughtered Travis.

 

[wsreader]

I don't know about jurors, but the talking heads on TV have blasted JM over the SNow White junk and have been very hard on him regarding the style he used with this witness. Really, really negative.

I've heard the negative talk, too. I strongly disagree. I think it was smart of JM to begin with this and it magnifies the ridiculousness of ALV's testimony. He used the word fantastical and that's a perfect description of JA's story. The jurors were left to ponder this all weekend long. Good job JM!!

 

[PASA]

As we exited the courthouse yesterday this is what we were greeted with.
They (media) were waiting for tri-color to emerge from the courtroom.

 

[PASA]

After HH a local news station wanted to interview KCL. He came over to where we were. I took some pics of her being interviewed. Steve Kujz was the reporter, and just as nice as he could be.

 

[biggirl]

PASA, Thank you so much for the pictures. Did Juror#5 exit out the front doors. I was watching a feed of the courtroom after court was adjourned and it looked like one of the court personnel was talking to her and possibly discussing other ways for her to exit. I only say that because they were using arm and body language that looked like the kind you do when you are giving someone directions.

I have watched KCL's interview twice. It is so good. I have sent 2 checks to the family now. (every payday) and they are not big but I think every little bit has to help and if everyone sent what they could afford it might ease their burden. I think KCL said if everyone sent 10 dollars it would soon add up! (financial burden, nothing will ease the burden of losing their brother and having to listen to the defense). Hugs to you and KCL for all you do.

Cannot wait for Monday. JM is doing a great job. I remember how negative the TH's were during the Scott Peterson trial about the prosecution and then had to eat their words when they pulled it all together and the puzzle pieces came together.

 

[PASA]

BBM - I found it completely unprofessional that the DT's note-passing-person (sorry don't know her title) not only burst out laughing but appeared to be ready for that line and was on the verge of laughing for a minute prior.

She's the mitigation specialist. The ratty looking one who sits behind the defense table.

 

[fred_]

ALV just came off stand and approached Samamtha- weird and actually illegal

Have we gotten any more info on this???

 

[PASA]

Pasa were you in court when this happened?

Yes I was. I was busy taking notes looking down. I heard the laughter but I didn't see much from where I was sitting.

More than once there were snickers from the gallery when ALV said something stupid. MOO on the stupid part. No one was laughing at Juan, they are laughing at ALV.

 

[PASA]

PSA Having some real pain issues w/ my hands and arms and I have to use them today for my job this afternoon so I'm gonna stop typing for the rest of the day. Please save any questions here or pm's until I can rest up a bit..then I'll get back to posting..thanks! PASA is here to answer all your questions about court yesterday..she was there all afternoon!

I hope you're not getting the crud. The one I had last week started out with all the bones in my hands, forearms, and feet hurting. Then the chills and fever. It was no fun.

Please take care of yourself, don't worry about the board. It will wait for you.
:hug::hug::hug:

 

[Tulessa]

**THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ADVOCATE AND SHARING WITH US ALL TOO!**
​

ANJ, your work is awesome sweetheart!!

 

[PASA]

Why would anyone get up there and try to figure out where JM is going, just answer his questions. She played the "I am confused card."
Every DT witness responds exactly the same way in an effort to make JM the bad guy. It is so petty and childish! And so transparent!

Her dime-store therapy isn't working on JM or anyone in the courtroom except those at the defense table, apparently.

 

[PASA]

PASA, did you get any visual on the jury when JW and ALV were laughing and smiling? I was completely floored how casual the tone was, w/ ALV going so far as to drop the word "excited." Holy mackerel. :what:

Any read on them as you saw it? TIA.

I watched the jury off and on while taking notes. I didn't see anything that would lead me to believe they are taking seriously any of the testi-bull coming from this witness.

We in the gallery can't see the faces and reactions of counsel, ja, or the witness like you can when watching the feed.

We see them from behind. The courtroom is big and we sit pretty far back.

JW acts like she's at a junior-high party rather than a court of law.

 

[PASA]

My biggest fear is that the judge will be required by law to include the lesser charge of manslaughter. If this jury is divided they may compromise on lesser charges. IIRC in Arizona, manslaughter = 12-15 years. Minus time served she could walk in 5-6 years. :what:

I agree with Mr Pasa...she deserves the DP but maybe she won't get it. There is so much that we know that is not allowed in court. :sigh:

At this point it's Murder 1. LWOP or DP. As heinous as this crime is I don't think it will go to 2nd degree.
If she gets out she will kill again. MOO

 

[PASA]

We love the PASA's!!! Love a good man who is there to support his woman. And PASA well she goes without saying. She's tiny but she packs a punch. And she sneaks up on ya with her humor. Pay attention. lol

LOL! I'm old and fluffy.

 

[PASA]

They were very animated the whole time they sat there. At one point ALV commented on Travis' text and the woman with the dark hair was making a face and shaking her head as if she were disgusted. It was like a party for these two. That was before I knew they were there for ALV. jmo

I'm confused. Do you mean the Mitigation Specialist (term used loosely), or D (don't want to type out name for her to find on google) who sits in the front row with ja's family? Both make faces. She is team ja and her "friend" was a cellmate, or maybe pod-mate of ja's when she was in the county jail.

I saw D shaking her head (from the back) yesterday during testimony. That's why I wondered if you meant her.

 

[PASA]

Oh wait forgot to mention the cherry on the top of yesterday was with PASA and I walking to the car (she walked me to MY car I should say) and we went past the media trucks on the way. At an intersection some lady was waving wildly at us from her car and it's a bit of a sketchy neighborhood so we were both like "uh oh what's that?".

It was Beth Karas! lol Waving and saying hello and we had a little exchange before her light turned green.

Totally cool. We are having so many fortunate experiences being involved with this trial we said to each other.

LOL! I laughed all day thinking about that one. Since it was dark we couldn't tell who it was.

When I first saw the woman waving and talking to us I thought she may be some weirdo. I felt like a weirdo once I realized it was Beth.

I can't let you walk to your car alone after dark. I would worry the rest of the night. Besides we have a chance to have some good convo on the way.

 

[Charterhouse]

Juror number 5 is doing an interview on Az Channel 5. The past few days were tough, she was glad to be on the jury, she did not go there for attention. She wanted to show people that she did not do anything wrong and will tell after the trial. More later

 

[katiecoolady]

Thanks for telling her becuase it's truly unfair. We have to watch reports on Jodi's hair but give no recognition to the fact that the Defense team is approaching the Victims in court. The nerve of that woman. The whole lot of them. The nerve of Nurmi thumbing his nose at the judge. The nerve of Gus trying to battle Juan. The nerve of Dr. Sam not even bringing in proper reports and getting pizzed at Juan. The nerve of ALV bashing Travis as hard as possible, the nerve of her getting her fanny out of her chair to talk to Sam.

I'm just so ticked off and have been so all day about it. :furious: That woman needs to be put up on the screen for her actions. Had you not noted it I wouldn't have known, and that makes me mad. Everyone interested in this case whether they are here or not should know.

What disgusts me is Nurmi's game of charades bringing that motion to the court when he KNEW no jurors saw JM posing for photos ONE time that day IN FRONT of the cameras and embellishing to to be something it was not.

Then this admonishment of this witness who approached a family member coming off the stand (after halting the entire proceedings asking for a "break"--what was the rush Alyce? To get to the family?) happens in chambers.

Not cool. Not cool at all. And I'm getting this out there, believe me.

 

[Nezumi]

over at the mental health and criminal justice blog there is a good article on alyce:

http://kristinarandle.com/blog/jodi...ess-alyce-laviolette-under-scrutiny/#comments

and there is another one about a woman acquitted of killing her husband:

http://kristinarandle.com/blog/alaskan-woman-acquitted-of-killing-husband-as-he-slept/

ALASKAN WOMAN ACQUITTED OF KILLING HUSBAND AS HE SLEPT
In the context of the Jodi Arias case, this story is interesting.

An Alaskan woman, Lisa Donlon, was recently acquitted of shooting and killing her husband as he slept. Lisa alleged that he held her against her will and tortured her for three days. Lisa admits to shooting him six times, once in the head and five times in the back. She then called 911 to report the shooting.

The defense argued that Mr. Donlon raped and tortured his wife for three days, holding her hostage in a 20×20 cabin deep in the Alaskan wilderness.

There were medical records that showed evidence of “scrapes and bruises” but no evidence of the torturing. A nurse, however, testified that Lisa’s injuries were “pattern injuries” meaning that they reflected what she said happened. For instance, Lisa said that she was beaten with a belt and her injuries were consistent with her claims.

Older evidence also supported her domestic violence claims. She had obtained a restraining order against her husband in 1995. At the time of the restraining order, there was evidence that she had sustained injuries from him. According to the restraining order, he was upset about their potential divorce, packed his belongings, including two loaded guns and was attempting to force her to call the police because he wanted to be shot by police officers (“suicide by cop”).

The restraining order (which he was charged with violating) also noted that he had pointed a gun at her chest, forced her out of their home when she was nude (her sons witnessed this event) and choked her until she became unconscious.

“I’m afraid now to face my husband before our divorce process is over. I have a feeling that he would use his guns easily and I don’t want to create any situation that would trigger that,” she wrote in the restraining order.

Initially the grand jury declined to indict the Alaskan woman but did eventually after prosecutors presented them with new evidence.

Her lawyers argued that she was a victim of domestic violence and that shooting her husband was justified.

In the Donlon case, there was evidence of domestic violence. There was a restraining order, violations of the restraining order by her husband, documented injuries by doctors, testimony of healthcare workers who could verify her injuries, and witnesses to at least one incident of abuse.

Alternatively, in the Jodi Arias case, there are no witnesses to abuse. No documented injuries by doctors, healthcare workers or police. No reports of abuse in her journals. No evidence that Jodi ever feared Travis. No restraining order. No calls to the police. There is not one piece of corroborating evidence to support any claim of abuse.

Between these two cases, you be the judge as to which one seems like the true domestic violence case.

Thanks so much for posting this. It illustrates my point about ALV so well! There are many real victims of domestic violence who really do have no choice but to use lethal force to save their own lives to whom she could have brought her "expertise." Instead, she chose to inflict one more round of wounds on poor Travis Alexander -- for $300 bucks an hour.