It hasn't been the strongest closing argument. Yet anyway.
Craig Kapitan @HearsaySA
Babbitt: Defense wants to look at each piece of evidence in vacuum. "That's not how evidence works in a criminal case."
One should never lecture a jury on how evidence works - it insults them this late in the trial. Babbit started by buttering them up and calling them "smart people." Needs to hammer and hammer at the existing evidence again and again, not waste time with polemics.
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Attempting to counter defense testimony that Ford is not and has never been a violent man:
Craig Kapitan @HearsaySA
Babbitt: "If you keep stuffing & stuffing & stuffing, what happens? It explodes. It kind of looks that way...like he unloaded on her."
Catherine Babbit goes for the emotions:
Craig Kapitan @HearsaySA
Babbitt: "This crime is a very personal crime." Not only killed her but dog, "one of the closest things to her."
The trouble here is that there's no compelling evidence that Ford dumped Grit over Olmos Dam, where he was found - except perhaps for confusing cell ping possibilities. There's more evidence that the dog ran away - his autopsy showed he'd eaten trash, and he had a history of absconding - and his death was by doggy misadventure. Poor thing. Dog lovers on jury will remember Grit though, and it may swing emotions enough to sway votes.
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Yargh! But the ping stuff may or may not wash with the jury, and LE lost the best video evidence after it was sent to FBI for enhancement and disappeared.
Craig Kapitan @HearsaySA
Babbitt: "I think he wanted police very much to believe his alibi. He didn't count on video surveillance...cell phone technology..."
Babbit steadier now though, appears to be doing workmanlike job in prosecution close.
Just unveiled large photo of Mary Claire and Grit. Playing the emotional card. I don't think this will work. Just a feeling.
