NJ - Sarah Stern, 19, Neptune City, 2 Dec 2016 *Arrests* #2

[Niner]

Thanks a bunch everyone for the updates!!

2 weeks for jury selection??!!

 

[spaz1959]

I know that the chances are very slim, but I still cling to the hope that her body will somehow be found one day.

Early on, I considered the possibility of her remains being discarded somewhere other than the Shark River, but given McAtasney‘s question to LE, “If she did jump off the bridge, what are the odds that she's not somewhere all the way out in the ocean by now?” and as attested by Taylor, that must be the location.

I hope he is convinced of all charges and spends the rest of his life in prison, not only for the sake of Sarah’s family, but for the protection of the public. He is a particularly dangerous individual, IMO.

Oh yeah LM is one frightening individual, IMO as well .

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

Thanks a bunch everyone for the updates!!

2 weeks for jury selection??!!

Right!? It usually takes just a couple of days, doesn’t it?

Also from the article:

“But first, they [potential jurors] will be asked if they can sit for an eight-week trial and whether have any prior knowledge about the high-profile case. Those who do will be asked if their familiarity with it will affect their ability to render a fair and impartial verdict.

English said there is a pool of 275 jurors that would be brought to court Tuesday afternoon, from which attorneys will begin picking 16 who ultimately will sit for McAtasney's trial. Of those, four will serve as alternate jurors.”

 

[spaz1959]

From the article:

“FREEHOLD - Prospective jurors will be asked if the absence of a body would affect their ability to render an impartial verdict in the Sarah Stern murder case.

That was one of the questions discussed in court this morning as jury selection for the trial of Liam McAtasney was about to get underway.

[SBM]

McAtasney's attorney, Carlos Diaz-Cobo, said the absence of a body has the ability to create reasonable doubt about the state's proofs in the minds of jurors. He objected to the question being asked of potential jurors.

‘To ask this question at the outset signals to the jury that it's okay to find somebody guilty, despite the absence of a body,’ Diaz-Cobo said.

After Diaz-Cobo and prosecutors wrangled about the language of the question to be posed to jurors, [Judge Richard W.] English ruled that it would, indeed, be asked. He boiled it down to this: ‘Would the fact that a body was not found affect your ability to return a fair and impartial verdict in this case? Why or why not?'’

Other questions potential jurors will be asked are, what famous person they would like to have dinner with, and, if they watch true-crime television shows, whether they think investigations in real life are handled the way they are on the shows.

[SBM]

Jury selection is anticipated to take two weeks. English said he expects the next few days will be spent weeding out potential jurors who cannot sit for a lengthy trial.

In a victory for the defense, English ruled that the lead detective on the case, Brian Weisbrot of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, will not be allowed to sit at the prosecution table for the duration of the trial. Meghan Doyle, assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, argued in favor of having Weisbrot at the table with her and Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Decker because of the complexity of the case.

English rejected Doyle's argument. He said the McAtasney case is nowhere near as complicated as the ‘Operation Dead End'’ gang trial held in Monmouth County in 2017, during which the lead detective was allowed to sit at the counsel table with prosecutors.

[SBM]

Siding with Diaz-Cobo, English said if Weisbrot were to sit at the counsel table with two attorneys during the trial, that could unfairly validate his testimony in the minds of jurors. The judge ordered that Weisbrot and all other potential witnesses with the exception of Stern's father and McAtasney's mother not be allowed to be in the courtroom for the trial when they are not testifying.

[SBM]” (BBM)

Great info inmyhumbleopinion! Very interesting questions. Figured Judge English wouldn't allow them to sit with prosecution.

 

[spaz1959]

Right!? It usually takes just a couple of days, doesn’t it?

Also from the article:

“But first, they [potential jurors] will be asked if they can sit for an eight-week trial and whether have any prior knowledge about the high-profile case. Those who do will be asked if their familiarity with it will affect their ability to render a fair and impartial verdict.

English said there is a pool of 275 jurors that would be brought to court Tuesday afternoon, from which attorneys will begin picking 16 who ultimately will sit for McAtasney's trial. Of those, four will serve as alternate jurors.”[/QUO

Let them take their time screening potential jurors.

 

[spaz1959]

Let them take their time picking jurors, so important .

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, January 9th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 2) (@ ET) - NJ - Sarah Stern (19) (Dec. 2, 2016, Neptune City; not found) - *Liam McAtasney (21/19 @ time of crime) indicted (2/2/17) with 1st degree murder, 1st degree robbery, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, desecrating human remains (2nd degree), tampering with physical evidence & hindering his own apprehension. Plead not guilty. No bond. DA seeks Life.
9/17/18 Update: McAtasney turned down a plea deal calling for a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Going to go to trial & if convicted would receive life in prison plus 15 years for other charges. A final pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for Monday, 1/7, and attorneys are expected to begin selecting jurors Tuesday (1/8). The trial, including the jury-selection process, is expected to last up to 6 weeks.
1/7/19 Update: Had final pretrial hearing behind closed doors. Went over jury questions. Jury selection starts tomorrow, 1/8.
1/8/19 Day 1 Jury Selection Update: Jury selection is expecting to last 2 weeks!! Judge English said there is a pool of 275 jurors that would be brought to court Tuesday afternoon, from which attorneys will begin picking 16 who ultimately will sit for McAtasney's trial. Of those, four will serve as alternate jurors.” Jury selection continues on 1/9.
His accomplice Preston Taylor (19) faces up to 20 years in state prison and is subject to the No Early Release Act. He pleaded guilty (4/27/17) to 1st degree robbery, 2nd degree conspiracy to commit robbery, 2nd degree distributing or desecrating human remains, 2 counts of 3rd degree hindering apprehension & 4th degree tampering with physical evidence. His sentencing will be adjourned until later in the year, pending McAtasney’s trial. Expected to testify at LMc's trial.

 

[Niner]

Since it was said this would last 2 weeks - I'll keep posting until someone here tells me different! And if anyone has any updates on "what" happened yesterday - you know - down to how many jurors? and TIA!

Thursday, January 10th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 3) (@ ET) - NJ - Sarah Stern (19) (Dec. 2, 2016, Neptune City; not found) - *Liam McAtasney (21/19 @ time of crime) indicted (2/2/17) with 1st degree murder, 1st degree robbery, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, desecrating human remains (2nd degree), tampering with physical evidence & hindering his own apprehension. Plead not guilty. No bond. DA seeks Life.
9/17/18 Update: McAtasney turned down a plea deal calling for a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Going to go to trial & if convicted would receive life in prison plus 15 years for other charges. A final pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for Monday, 1/7, and attorneys are expected to begin selecting jurors Tuesday (1/8). The trial, including the jury-selection process, is expected to last up to 6 weeks.
1/7/19 Update: Had final pretrial hearing behind closed doors. Went over jury questions. Jury selection starts tomorrow, 1/8.
1/8/19 Update: Jury selection is expecting to last 2 weeks!! 1/8/19 Day 1 Jury Selection: Judge English said there is a pool of 275 jurors that would be brought to court Tuesday afternoon, from which attorneys will begin picking 16 who ultimately will sit for McAtasney's trial. Of those, four will serve as alternate jurors.” Jury selection continues on 1/9.
1/9/19 Day 2: Jury selection continues to 1/10.
His accomplice Preston Taylor (19) faces up to 20 years in state prison and is subject to the No Early Release Act. He pleaded guilty (4/27/17) to 1st degree robbery, 2nd degree conspiracy to commit robbery, 2nd degree distributing or desecrating human remains, 2 counts of 3rd degree hindering apprehension & 4th degree tampering with physical evidence. His sentencing will be adjourned until later in the year, pending McAtasney’s trial. Expected to testify at LMc's trial.

 

[Niner]

Friday, January 11th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 4) (@ ET) - NJ - Sarah Stern (19) (Dec. 2, 2016, Neptune City; not found) - *Liam McAtasney (21/19 @ time of crime) indicted (2/2/17) with 1st degree murder, 1st degree robbery, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, desecrating human remains (2nd degree), tampering with physical evidence & hindering his own apprehension. Plead not guilty. No bond. DA seeks Life.
9/17/18 Update: McAtasney turned down a plea deal calling for a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Going to go to trial & if convicted would receive life in prison plus 15 years for other charges. A final pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for Monday, 1/7, and attorneys are expected to begin selecting jurors Tuesday (1/8). The trial, including the jury-selection process, is expected to last up to 6 weeks.
1/7/19 Update: Had final pretrial hearing behind closed doors. Went over jury questions. Jury selection starts tomorrow, 1/8.
1/8/19 Update: Jury selection is expecting to last 2 weeks!! 1/8/19 Day 1 Jury Selection: Judge English said there is a pool of 275 jurors that would be brought to court Tuesday afternoon, from which attorneys will begin picking 16 who ultimately will sit for McAtasney's trial. Of those, four will serve as alternate jurors.” Jury selection continues on 1/9.
1/9/19 Day 2: Jury selection continues to 1/10.
1/10/19 Day 3: Jury selection continues to 1/11.
His accomplice Preston Taylor (19) faces up to 20 years in state prison and is subject to the No Early Release Act. He pleaded guilty (4/27/17) to 1st degree robbery, 2nd degree conspiracy to commit robbery, 2nd degree distributing or desecrating human remains, 2 counts of 3rd degree hindering apprehension & 4th degree tampering with physical evidence. His sentencing will be adjourned until later in the year, pending McAtasney’s trial. Expected to testify at LMc's trial.


Hopefully someone will find an updated report on this case!

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

Hopefully someone will find an updated report on this case!

RSBM for focus

I keep checking, but to the best of my knowledge, there hasn’t been anything since Tuesday, or the first day of jury selection.

I will post as soon as I see something!

 

[Niner]

Monday, January 14th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 5-2nd week) (@ ET) - NJ - Sarah Stern (19) (Dec. 2, 2016, Neptune City; not found) - *Liam McAtasney (21/19 @ time of crime) indicted (2/2/17) with 1st degree murder, 1st degree robbery, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, desecrating human remains (2nd degree), tampering with physical evidence & hindering his own apprehension. Plead not guilty. No bond. DA seeks Life.
9/17/18 Update: McAtasney turned down a plea deal calling for a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Going to go to trial & if convicted would receive life in prison plus 15 years for other charges. A final pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for Monday, 1/7, and attorneys are expected to begin selecting jurors Tuesday (1/8). The trial, including the jury-selection process, is expected to last up to 6 weeks.
1/7/19 Update: Had final pretrial hearing behind closed doors. Went over jury questions. Jury selection starts tomorrow, 1/8.
1/8/19 Update: Jury selection is expecting to last 2 weeks!! 1/8/19 Day 1 Jury Selection: Judge English said there is a pool of 275 jurors that would be brought to court Tuesday afternoon, from which attorneys will begin picking 16 who ultimately will sit for McAtasney's trial. Of those, four will serve as alternate jurors.” Jury selection continues on 1/9.
1/9/19 Day 2: Jury selection continues to 1/10.
1/10/19 Day 3: Jury selection continues to 1/11.
1/11/19 Day 4: Jury selection continues on Monday, 1/14.
His accomplice Preston Taylor (19) faces up to 20 years in state prison and is subject to the No Early Release Act. He pleaded guilty (4/27/17) to 1st degree robbery, 2nd degree conspiracy to commit robbery, 2nd degree distributing or desecrating human remains, 2 counts of 3rd degree hindering apprehension & 4th degree tampering with physical evidence. His sentencing will be adjourned until later in the year, pending McAtasney’s trial. Expected to testify at LMc's trial.

 

[Niner]

Since I see no "new" info - I'll keep posting this...

Tuesday, January 15th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 6-2nd week) (@ ET) - NJ - Sarah Stern (19) (Dec. 2, 2016, Neptune City; not found) - *Liam McAtasney (21/19 @ time of crime) indicted (2/2/17) with 1st degree murder, 1st degree robbery, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, desecrating human remains (2nd degree), tampering with physical evidence & hindering his own apprehension. Plead not guilty. No bond. DA seeks Life.
9/17/18 Update: McAtasney turned down a plea deal calling for a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Going to go to trial & if convicted would receive life in prison plus 15 years for other charges. A final pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for Monday, 1/7, and attorneys are expected to begin selecting jurors Tuesday (1/8). The trial, including the jury-selection process, is expected to last up to 6 weeks.
1/7/19 Update: Had final pretrial hearing behind closed doors. Went over jury questions. Jury selection starts tomorrow, 1/8.
1/8/19 Update: Jury selection is expecting to last 2 weeks!! 1/8/19 Day 1 Jury Selection: Judge English said there is a pool of 275 jurors that would be brought to court Tuesday afternoon, from which attorneys will begin picking 16 who ultimately will sit for McAtasney's trial. Of those, four will serve as alternate jurors.” Jury selection continues on 1/9.
1/9/19 Day 2: Jury selection continues to 1/10.
1/10/19 Day 3: Jury selection continues to 1/11.
1/11/19 Day 4: Jury selection continues on Monday, 1/14.
1/14/19 Day 5: Jury selection continues to 1/15.
His accomplice Preston Taylor (19) faces up to 20 years in state prison and is subject to the No Early Release Act. He pleaded guilty (4/27/17) to 1st degree robbery, 2nd degree conspiracy to commit robbery, 2nd degree distributing or desecrating human remains, 2 counts of 3rd degree hindering apprehension & 4th degree tampering with physical evidence. His sentencing will be adjourned until later in the year, pending McAtasney’s trial. Expected to testify at LMc's trial.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

ASBURY PARK PRESS | 5 hours ago

“As the trial in Monmouth County in the murder of Sarah Stern approaches, the victim’s whereabouts are still unknown.

But, this won’t be the first time a homicide prosecution will move forward - in Monmouth County or in New Jersey - without a body.

In fact, the first such prosecution in New Jersey took place in Monmouth County 44 years ago, when suspected serial killer Robert Zarinsky, a grocer from Linden, was tried and convicted of the murder of Rosemary Calandriello, a 17-year-old girl who left her home in Atlantic Highlands to buy milk on Aug. 25, 1969 and never returned.

[SBM]

While others have been tried and convicted in New Jersey in so-called “no-body’’ cases since Zarinsky, Zarinsky’s trial in Calandriello’s murder remains the last time a homicide was prosecuted in Monmouth County in the absence of a body.

That soon will change when Liam McAtasney, 21, of Neptune City, goes on trial for the murder of 19-year-old Stern, also of Neptune City, who was a high school classmate of the defendant.

[SBM]

Although no-body cases, while relatively rare, have been successfully prosecuted throughout the nation, McAtasney’s attorney, Carlos Diaz-Cobo, has said the fact that Stern’s body wasn’t found creates reasonable doubt that a murder even occurred.

[SBM]

‘All you have in no-body cases is circumstantial evidence,’ [Joe] Giacalone [“former commanding officer of the New York Police Department’s Bronx Cold Case Homicide Squad and an adjunct professor who teaches a class in criminal investigations at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York”] said. ‘You would hope there was some physical evidence that would corroborate it.’’

Examples of physical evidence that would help corroborate a murder in a no-body case could be signs of a struggle or blood, he said.

But that could be countered by other challenges.

‘The defense is going to say the person left on their own and is alive and well, even if they are off the grid,’’ Giacalone said. ‘By taking it to trial, all you need is one holdout. If I was a defense attorney, I like my chances. These cases are very rare to get convictions on.’

On the other hand, Giacalone said that with today’s technology, it would be very difficult for someone who is still alive to disappear without a trace.

[SBM]

Still, there could be some lingering doubt, said [retired Superior Court Judge Anthony J.]
Mellaci, who was an assistant prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney before ascending to the bench.

‘The argument could be made, it wasn’t the first time someone has disappeared and showed up several years later,’ Mellaci said.

[SBM]

But prosecutions in no-body cases can succeed when there is physical evidence to corroborate circumstantial evidence or a confession.

[SBM]

In the Stern case, [Preston] Taylor is expected to testify against his former roommate, and prosecutors are expected to introduce a secretly recorded video of McAtasney confessing the murder to an acquaintance.”
Sarah Stern murder not the first 'no-body' homicide case to go to trial

Interesting article, but reading it made my stomach hurt . Justice for Sarah and her loved ones.

 

[Niner]

and from the article:

Jury selection for McAtasney’s trial concluded Monday. The trial is scheduled to begin on Jan. 23 before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English.

So - jury selection ended Monday. Trial 1/23!!!

JUSTICE for SARAH!

 

[spaz1959]

ASBURY PARK PRESS | 5 hours ago

“As the trial in Monmouth County in the murder of Sarah Stern approaches, the victim’s whereabouts are still unknown.

But, this won’t be the first time a homicide prosecution will move forward - in Monmouth County or in New Jersey - without a body.

In fact, the first such prosecution in New Jersey took place in Monmouth County 44 years ago, when suspected serial killer Robert Zarinsky, a grocer from Linden, was tried and convicted of the murder of Rosemary Calandriello, a 17-year-old girl who left her home in Atlantic Highlands to buy milk on Aug. 25, 1969 and never returned.

[SBM]

While others have been tried and convicted in New Jersey in so-called “no-body’’ cases since Zarinsky, Zarinsky’s trial in Calandriello’s murder remains the last time a homicide was prosecuted in Monmouth County in the absence of a body.

That soon will change when Liam McAtasney, 21, of Neptune City, goes on trial for the murder of 19-year-old Stern, also of Neptune City, who was a high school classmate of the defendant.

[SBM]

Although no-body cases, while relatively rare, have been successfully prosecuted throughout the nation, McAtasney’s attorney, Carlos Diaz-Cobo, has said the fact that Stern’s body wasn’t found creates reasonable doubt that a murder even occurred.

[SBM]

‘All you have in no-body cases is circumstantial evidence,’ [Joe] Giacalone [“former commanding officer of the New York Police Department’s Bronx Cold Case Homicide Squad and an adjunct professor who teaches a class in criminal investigations at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York”] said. ‘You would hope there was some physical evidence that would corroborate it.’’

Examples of physical evidence that would help corroborate a murder in a no-body case could be signs of a struggle or blood, he said.

But that could be countered by other challenges.

‘The defense is going to say the person left on their own and is alive and well, even if they are off the grid,’’ Giacalone said. ‘By taking it to trial, all you need is one holdout. If I was a defense attorney, I like my chances. These cases are very rare to get convictions on.’

On the other hand, Giacalone said that with today’s technology, it would be very difficult for someone who is still alive to disappear without a trace.

[SBM]

Still, there could be some lingering doubt, said [retired Superior Court Judge Anthony J.]
Mellaci, who was an assistant prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney before ascending to the bench.

‘The argument could be made, it wasn’t the first time someone has disappeared and showed up several years later,’ Mellaci said.

[SBM]

But prosecutions in no-body cases can succeed when there is physical evidence to corroborate circumstantial evidence or a confession.

[SBM]

In the Stern case, [Preston] Taylor is expected to testify against his former roommate, and prosecutors are expected to introduce a secretly recorded video of McAtasney confessing the murder to an acquaintance.”
Sarah Stern murder not the first 'no-body' homicide case to go to trial

Interesting article, but reading it made my stomach hurt . Justice for Sarah and her loved ones.

I really felt sick to my stomach as well. I cannot fathom a not guilty verdict. Prayers for justice for dear Sarah, and her family.

 

[Niner]

Did Sarah Stern’s Friend Kill Her Over a $7,000 Inheritance?

Interesting & long article.

 

[Gnatcatcher]

Two years ago, Sarah Stern was killed, thrown off a bridge by her friends, authorities say. Now one will stand trial

On Wednesday, both sides will present to a jury a preview of their cases in opening arguments. In interviews with NJ Advance Media prior to the start of the trial, sttorneys for both the defense and prosecution declined to discuss specifics of what they intend to argue.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

Self-deleted

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

From an hour ago:

“#ALERT - Please be advised that AP Meghan Doyle will be giving the opening statement tomorrow Wed. January 23 in the trial of Liam McAtasney. He is accused of the 2016 murder of missing teen Sarah Stern. It's set to begin at 9am in the courtroom of Judge Richard English. #mcponj”

Monmouth Prosecutor on Twitter

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

“Sarah Stern murder: Five things to know before the trial starts”

“Who is Sarah Stern and what happened to her?”

“Who is on trial for her murder?”

“What evidence do prosecutors have against the defendant?”

“What does the defense say?”

“When and where is the trial taking place?”
“McAtasney is on trial before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold The trial will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and is expected to take four to six weeks. “ (BBM)
Sarah Stern murder: Five things to know before the trial starts