According to a times picayune article, the jurors (who deliberated for a grand total of 13 hours...) Were so upset/nervous/anxious that some of them started vomitting. You CANNOT make this stuff up.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Some Photos
Dear All,
I thought that pictures might be in order to give faces to the names from the last few days. These pictures are courtesy of the times-picayune website.
Here we have DA American Flag Pin (the first chair) and DA Vampire Nails.
Here's Mr. Magoo! He, apparently, has no comment.
C-Murder's family looks....displeased.
Unfortunately, there are no photos of Judge Blagojovich-hair. Trust me...I searched the ends of the internet looking for one. Read more
I thought that pictures might be in order to give faces to the names from the last few days. These pictures are courtesy of the times-picayune website.
Here we have DA American Flag Pin (the first chair) and DA Vampire Nails.
Here's Mr. Magoo! He, apparently, has no comment.
C-Murder's family looks....displeased.
Unfortunately, there are no photos of Judge Blagojovich-hair. Trust me...I searched the ends of the internet looking for one. Read more
Can we just speak frankly for a minute here?
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE JURORS? They have only been in the deliberation process since yesterday, at 1pm. And they stopped at 8:30pm by screaming, "SHUT IT DOWN." Now they're crying in the courtroom in front of everyone, doing things to get themselves thrown off, etc? When they were voir-dired for this thing, they knew this trial might run for at least 2 weeks. So far they've been seated approx 4 days. AND they had the weekend off. Why are they acting like passengers who have been left on a plane on the tarmac for 203 hrs? As far as I know, they're getting all their meals paid for, they are allowed to take smoke breaks and restroom breaks, were given a bed to sleep in...where's the fire here? One time I was at work for 34hrs straight. Truth. And I am of weak constitution. If these jurors can't work for 8 hours straight...well, I'm just not sure what to say.
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Jurors Crying, A verdict, Judge Blagojovich-hair smacks it down
C-Murder has been convicted guilty of second degree murder. BUT, that's not the end of the story friends. Judge Blagojovich-hair said, "No, No, Nannette" and sent them back to continue deliberations because he believed one juror only came to that decision as a means to end the whole affair. The verdict was 10-2 for conviction (which, under Louisiana Law, is all a jury needs to convict on second degree murder).
By way of back-story, earlier in the day, a juror sent a note to the judge asking that she be removed from the jury because she had been sleeping during the trial (true story - I saw that with my own eyes), praying loudly, and bringing a bible into the jury deliberation room. I think the last two are things this girl did to get herself thrown off. No way is she a religious zealot. She had a different nail polish color every day of the trial, and was chit-chatting with all the other ladies sitting around her. She was also like 22 years old. She obviously got wise as to what she would have to do in order to get herself thrown off, and started doing it. BUT - Judge Blagojovich-hair would have none of it, and told her she had to to stay and continue deliberating. She, and the foreman of the jury, STARTED CRYING. A short time later, they came back with their verdict. Judge Blagojovich hair said he thought that the juror who had suddenly changed her mind, had done so under duress to end the proceedings.
Whatever happens next, the defense has just gotten an early christmas present by way of material for appeals. Read more
By way of back-story, earlier in the day, a juror sent a note to the judge asking that she be removed from the jury because she had been sleeping during the trial (true story - I saw that with my own eyes), praying loudly, and bringing a bible into the jury deliberation room. I think the last two are things this girl did to get herself thrown off. No way is she a religious zealot. She had a different nail polish color every day of the trial, and was chit-chatting with all the other ladies sitting around her. She was also like 22 years old. She obviously got wise as to what she would have to do in order to get herself thrown off, and started doing it. BUT - Judge Blagojovich-hair would have none of it, and told her she had to to stay and continue deliberating. She, and the foreman of the jury, STARTED CRYING. A short time later, they came back with their verdict. Judge Blagojovich hair said he thought that the juror who had suddenly changed her mind, had done so under duress to end the proceedings.
Whatever happens next, the defense has just gotten an early christmas present by way of material for appeals. Read more
The Jurors would be unable to hack it as paralegals.
Well, tonight the Jury decided they didn't want to work no mo'.
At approx 8:30pm, Judge Blagojovich-hair told the jury that they either had to keep working to come to a decision, or they were going to be sequestered in a hotel for the night. Apparently working past 8:30pm seemed unconscionable to the jurors, and they all yelled "Shut it down" in unison. That is actually not a joke. They *actually* all said "shut it down" together.
So....8:30pm is a breaking point? Shut it down? I guess this jury is unaccustomed to working the hours typically associated with an entry level job in New York. Because let me tell you -- 8:30 is not a "shut it down" time. 8:30pm is a "have a dinner break, scan facebook on the computer to see what happier people who work fewer hours are saying, sending gchat messages while you eat at your desk" time. These jurors didn't even start working til 10am. I mean R E A L L Y (emphasis added). Read more
At approx 8:30pm, Judge Blagojovich-hair told the jury that they either had to keep working to come to a decision, or they were going to be sequestered in a hotel for the night. Apparently working past 8:30pm seemed unconscionable to the jurors, and they all yelled "Shut it down" in unison. That is actually not a joke. They *actually* all said "shut it down" together.
So....8:30pm is a breaking point? Shut it down? I guess this jury is unaccustomed to working the hours typically associated with an entry level job in New York. Because let me tell you -- 8:30 is not a "shut it down" time. 8:30pm is a "have a dinner break, scan facebook on the computer to see what happier people who work fewer hours are saying, sending gchat messages while you eat at your desk" time. These jurors didn't even start working til 10am. I mean R E A L L Y (emphasis added). Read more
Monday, August 10, 2009
The Jury Deliberates: An Update!
They're deadlocked! As of 3pm today, the jury told Judge Blagojovich-hair that they were deadlocked and could not make a decision. It had only been 3 hours of deliberation. Judge Blagojovich-hair (rightly) told them they needed to work a little longer. Obviously the jury started to get hungry, some of them wanted to watch the "Jon and Kate plus 8" marathon on TLC right now, etc.
But if you ask me...the real story has to be the crazies commenting on nola.com. Some gems below:
"you think its about justice?the whole thing was about money jp thought master p was going to pay them off an when it didn't happen jp got pissed off and found anyone that came along to testify and lye under oath that they saw cory miller shoot that kid and now the thomas family are still filing a civil sult against mr miller for what there no money no money if he had any money this case would be over by now no money no justice" Hmm. So...that argument seems...logical.
Jazzymytrang chimes in with what appears to be some inside information:
"let me clarify
i am not sayin cj is guilty or innocent
im sayin i know 4 a fact he knows who the shooter is & he'd rather presume his innocence rather than a family find justice
that is not fair
& those are the rules from the streets
no rats
his image is more important than the truth
shallow thinking
tough world we live in
again
on the strength of the real truth beholders we will never know the truth" I wonder if he meant to write that in the form of a poem?
Let's file the following comment under..."Broken Caps Lock"
SUM1 I WAS CLOSE TO WAS ON TRIAL FOR A MURDER IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND GOD KNOWS THEY DIDNOT KILL ANYONE.I DONT KNOW WHERE THEY FOUND THE WITNESS BUT THE WITNESS HAD GOT HOOKED UP,IT CAME OUT AND THE PERSON IS FREE TO THIS DAY.NA YOU FIGURE THE REST OUT YOURSELF.MY PERSONAL OPINION THE SAME THING HAPPENING HERE.THIS WHOLE SITUASION AND HOW ITS GOING IS AMAZING!AND THE HOUSE ARREST PLP TOO,THEY FULL OF IT THAT MAN WAS AT HM ON THOSE DAYS HE WAS OUT OF RANGE,WHATEVA.TRUST ME WE NOT DUM THEY PROBABLY HAD PLP WATCHING THAT MAN.THOSE MACHINES NEVER WORK RIGHT ANYWAY AND I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT.ALL ABOUT MONEY!!!
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But if you ask me...the real story has to be the crazies commenting on nola.com. Some gems below:
"you think its about justice?the whole thing was about money jp thought master p was going to pay them off an when it didn't happen jp got pissed off and found anyone that came along to testify and lye under oath that they saw cory miller shoot that kid and now the thomas family are still filing a civil sult against mr miller for what there no money no money if he had any money this case would be over by now no money no justice" Hmm. So...that argument seems...logical.
Jazzymytrang chimes in with what appears to be some inside information:
"let me clarify
i am not sayin cj is guilty or innocent
im sayin i know 4 a fact he knows who the shooter is & he'd rather presume his innocence rather than a family find justice
that is not fair
& those are the rules from the streets
no rats
his image is more important than the truth
shallow thinking
tough world we live in
again
on the strength of the real truth beholders we will never know the truth" I wonder if he meant to write that in the form of a poem?
Let's file the following comment under..."Broken Caps Lock"
SUM1 I WAS CLOSE TO WAS ON TRIAL FOR A MURDER IN JEFFERSON PARISH AND GOD KNOWS THEY DIDNOT KILL ANYONE.I DONT KNOW WHERE THEY FOUND THE WITNESS BUT THE WITNESS HAD GOT HOOKED UP,IT CAME OUT AND THE PERSON IS FREE TO THIS DAY.NA YOU FIGURE THE REST OUT YOURSELF.MY PERSONAL OPINION THE SAME THING HAPPENING HERE.THIS WHOLE SITUASION AND HOW ITS GOING IS AMAZING!AND THE HOUSE ARREST PLP TOO,THEY FULL OF IT THAT MAN WAS AT HM ON THOSE DAYS HE WAS OUT OF RANGE,WHATEVA.TRUST ME WE NOT DUM THEY PROBABLY HAD PLP WATCHING THAT MAN.THOSE MACHINES NEVER WORK RIGHT ANYWAY AND I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT.ALL ABOUT MONEY!!!
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I forgot to post this, but, did you know that C-Murder recently pleaded no contest to multiple attempted murder charges from a 2001 incident?
Oh yes, faithful readers. By the time that C-Murder rolled into the Platinum club back in January of 2002, he had already tried to shoot the bouncer at "Club Raggs" a Baton Rouge Nightclub. C-Murder pointed the gun at the bouncer, and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed. The thing about this crime? He was on videotape..so..no denying that one. The DA is going to recommend 10 years for that charge, so C-Murder is headed to Angola regardless. Read more
Oh yes, faithful readers. By the time that C-Murder rolled into the Platinum club back in January of 2002, he had already tried to shoot the bouncer at "Club Raggs" a Baton Rouge Nightclub. C-Murder pointed the gun at the bouncer, and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed. The thing about this crime? He was on videotape..so..no denying that one. The DA is going to recommend 10 years for that charge, so C-Murder is headed to Angola regardless. Read more
Predictions
Now that the jury is out deliberating, we can all speculate wildly about what they will decide. Let's go through this like they go through gossip girl on NYMag, shall we?
Pros for the Prosecution :
The first eyewitness, Darnell Jordan At the time he was working as a bouncer at the Platinum Club, he was also attending school. Plus 10. He was the first person to ID c-murder, but later contradicted himself and said he hadn't seen him when he was in an office with the club owners and other employees. Minus 5. He sort of explained this away when he testified that one of the club owners called him and told him that C-Murder was "riding for him" after finding out he had ID'd him in the shooting. Plus 5. It was after he had been threatened in this way, that he decided to go on record about how he saw cmurder stick his arm in a pile, and saw a burst of fire coming from the end of his arm. Plus 5. He has some small peanuts marijuana charges on his rap sheet. Minus 1. He is now a responsible, married, adult. Plus 2 Total: Plus 16.
Kenneth Jordan (the second eyewitness): He first came to the police's attention because he was in the police station, giving a statement that his baby mama and his mother both drowned his infant baby in a bathtub. Even. It later came out that he was the one who filled the bathtub with water. Minus 5 (a low figure, only because it came out during closing statements, and not earlier). It also turns out that he knew that his babymama had killed her FIRST child by drowning her in a bathtub before he ever had sex with her. Even (because the jury never heard this). She was also a minor at the time the baby was conceived. Minus 5. He said he was at the platinum club that night with his mom (?????) and his sister, and both of their names appeared on police reports. Plus 5. His name did not appear on a report, because after he saw the shooting, he ran out. Minus 1. He gave significant detail about the night at the club, and the events that transpired before, during, and after the shooting. Plus 10. He has gotten a ton of deals from the DA, gotten out of prison, gotten charges reduced, as a result of his testimony in this trial. Minus 5. Total: 0.
Police Investigation: The police continued investigating this murder for well over a year after C-Murder was arrested, trying to find more evidence against him. Plus 5.
Physical Evidence: There is absolutely no physical evidence, but the DA spent a significant amount of time questioning experts about why there wouldn't be any evidence. Even.
Intangible Misc. Items: Corey Miller's stage name is c-murder: Plus 10. The victim's fathers testimony: Plus 10. Total: Plus 20
DA's Total: 41.
Defense's Case
The 4 witnesses: The witnesses statements were taped statements from the first trial. Minus 5. They each put c-murder in a different location in the club. Minus 5. The number of defense eye witnesses was greater than the number of state's eyewitnesses. Plus 5. Total: Minus 5.
Lack of Physical Evidence: There is absolutely no physical evidence which places c-murder near the victim. Plus 5.
Total of Defense: 0.
Prediction: The jury is going to go, at the minimum, with manslaughter. No way will they acquit. Read more
Pros for the Prosecution :
The first eyewitness, Darnell Jordan At the time he was working as a bouncer at the Platinum Club, he was also attending school. Plus 10. He was the first person to ID c-murder, but later contradicted himself and said he hadn't seen him when he was in an office with the club owners and other employees. Minus 5. He sort of explained this away when he testified that one of the club owners called him and told him that C-Murder was "riding for him" after finding out he had ID'd him in the shooting. Plus 5. It was after he had been threatened in this way, that he decided to go on record about how he saw cmurder stick his arm in a pile, and saw a burst of fire coming from the end of his arm. Plus 5. He has some small peanuts marijuana charges on his rap sheet. Minus 1. He is now a responsible, married, adult. Plus 2 Total: Plus 16.
Kenneth Jordan (the second eyewitness): He first came to the police's attention because he was in the police station, giving a statement that his baby mama and his mother both drowned his infant baby in a bathtub. Even. It later came out that he was the one who filled the bathtub with water. Minus 5 (a low figure, only because it came out during closing statements, and not earlier). It also turns out that he knew that his babymama had killed her FIRST child by drowning her in a bathtub before he ever had sex with her. Even (because the jury never heard this). She was also a minor at the time the baby was conceived. Minus 5. He said he was at the platinum club that night with his mom (?????) and his sister, and both of their names appeared on police reports. Plus 5. His name did not appear on a report, because after he saw the shooting, he ran out. Minus 1. He gave significant detail about the night at the club, and the events that transpired before, during, and after the shooting. Plus 10. He has gotten a ton of deals from the DA, gotten out of prison, gotten charges reduced, as a result of his testimony in this trial. Minus 5. Total: 0.
Police Investigation: The police continued investigating this murder for well over a year after C-Murder was arrested, trying to find more evidence against him. Plus 5.
Physical Evidence: There is absolutely no physical evidence, but the DA spent a significant amount of time questioning experts about why there wouldn't be any evidence. Even.
Intangible Misc. Items: Corey Miller's stage name is c-murder: Plus 10. The victim's fathers testimony: Plus 10. Total: Plus 20
DA's Total: 41.
Defense's Case
The 4 witnesses: The witnesses statements were taped statements from the first trial. Minus 5. They each put c-murder in a different location in the club. Minus 5. The number of defense eye witnesses was greater than the number of state's eyewitnesses. Plus 5. Total: Minus 5.
Lack of Physical Evidence: There is absolutely no physical evidence which places c-murder near the victim. Plus 5.
Total of Defense: 0.
Prediction: The jury is going to go, at the minimum, with manslaughter. No way will they acquit. Read more
Closing Statements
Well, folks. The Closing statements have come and gone. DA Vampire Nails was the first up, giving a pretty dramatic statement, pacing about, pointing her finger at C-Murder. She implored to jury to act as "13 additional witnesses" and find C-Murder guilty. She also said that all of the defense witnesses (who were presented to the jury via tape-recordings) were all not credible, and that there were not very many eyewitnesses because C-Murder and his calliope crew were out there threatening anyone who talked. OH - before I forget -- it also (sort of) came out that this friend of C-Murder (the "wango" i spoke of earlier) had been convicted of threatening another witness who later ID'd C-Murder. At least this was what I deduced from all the hints and innuendos the prosecution and defense were using.
Vampire Nails, I have to say, was pretty persuasive. I think the best thing she said was "if Steve Thomas were here today, he'd be 23. He'd thank you. He'd want you to know C-Murder isn't his hero anymore. The last time he looked up to him was Jan. 12, 2002. And the last time he looked up to him, he shot him." Good imagery for the jury to take back with them when they deliberate, methinks.
Up next was Mr. Magoo, who looked absolutely scattered. He had 3 different piles of documents he kept picking up and reading, all in no logical order. His cross had no logical beginning, middle or end, it was sort of like he had documents with some ideas on each page, he threw all the documents to the ground, picked them back up in no order, and decided to read them off like that. In my opinion, he didn't highlight the lack of physical evidence enough, he didn't emphasize reasonable doubt enough. I actually have no take-away from the statement because whatever message or theme he had was muddled by the delivery and organization.
After Mr. Magoo did his statement, the first chair DA (we'll call him "American Flag Pin Guy") got up and did his song and dance. He tried to be persuasive through aggressively loud talking, but I didn't find him as persuasive as DA vampire-nails. His statement seemed random, and much like a first-year law student during their oral argument competition, when he was told he had 2 minutes left, he was no where near finished what he was going to say.
The audience was PACKED for the affair. I was smushed all the way at the end of the row next to every single defense attorney in jefferson parish. There was standing room only, and when I walked out, there were like 40 people all standing outside, waiting for a chance to get into the room - sort of like people do in NYC to see Saturday Night Live. Kind of sad, though, that New Orleans' version of SNL are murder/corruption trials.
Also, something I found odd...during the statements, C-Murder's family were chomping down on candy. All I could hear were the sounds of cellophane wrappers being opened. MAYBE hold out on the now-or-laters until your Son's murder trial is on break?? That might seem like a good idea to me, but what do I know?
C-Murders father has these pattern shirts which bear a pattern composed solely of the inscription "P Miller." I can't believe it took me all week to finally notice this. He has been wearing them every day, but in different colors. I wonder if I could order myself one if the price is right.
Judge Blagojovich hair had the distinct look of someone who had a little too much fun over the weekend -- hair was totally messed up, he was chugging vitamin waters, and chomping down on cheez-its. I may be jumping to totally inappropriate conclusions...but..at least to me, "cheez-its + vitamin water = hangover." He also appears to not be the most engaging judge on the face of the earth. He denies EVERYTHING, and when he does, he says things like "for uh...the reasons that they said." Read more
Vampire Nails, I have to say, was pretty persuasive. I think the best thing she said was "if Steve Thomas were here today, he'd be 23. He'd thank you. He'd want you to know C-Murder isn't his hero anymore. The last time he looked up to him was Jan. 12, 2002. And the last time he looked up to him, he shot him." Good imagery for the jury to take back with them when they deliberate, methinks.
Up next was Mr. Magoo, who looked absolutely scattered. He had 3 different piles of documents he kept picking up and reading, all in no logical order. His cross had no logical beginning, middle or end, it was sort of like he had documents with some ideas on each page, he threw all the documents to the ground, picked them back up in no order, and decided to read them off like that. In my opinion, he didn't highlight the lack of physical evidence enough, he didn't emphasize reasonable doubt enough. I actually have no take-away from the statement because whatever message or theme he had was muddled by the delivery and organization.
After Mr. Magoo did his statement, the first chair DA (we'll call him "American Flag Pin Guy") got up and did his song and dance. He tried to be persuasive through aggressively loud talking, but I didn't find him as persuasive as DA vampire-nails. His statement seemed random, and much like a first-year law student during their oral argument competition, when he was told he had 2 minutes left, he was no where near finished what he was going to say.
The audience was PACKED for the affair. I was smushed all the way at the end of the row next to every single defense attorney in jefferson parish. There was standing room only, and when I walked out, there were like 40 people all standing outside, waiting for a chance to get into the room - sort of like people do in NYC to see Saturday Night Live. Kind of sad, though, that New Orleans' version of SNL are murder/corruption trials.
Also, something I found odd...during the statements, C-Murder's family were chomping down on candy. All I could hear were the sounds of cellophane wrappers being opened. MAYBE hold out on the now-or-laters until your Son's murder trial is on break?? That might seem like a good idea to me, but what do I know?
C-Murders father has these pattern shirts which bear a pattern composed solely of the inscription "P Miller." I can't believe it took me all week to finally notice this. He has been wearing them every day, but in different colors. I wonder if I could order myself one if the price is right.
Judge Blagojovich hair had the distinct look of someone who had a little too much fun over the weekend -- hair was totally messed up, he was chugging vitamin waters, and chomping down on cheez-its. I may be jumping to totally inappropriate conclusions...but..at least to me, "cheez-its + vitamin water = hangover." He also appears to not be the most engaging judge on the face of the earth. He denies EVERYTHING, and when he does, he says things like "for uh...the reasons that they said." Read more
The end is near
So, in my 1 day hiatus from the trial, I seemed to have missed both the prosecution resting, and the defense resting. Mr magoo, it seems, didn't call any witnesses, and only played previously tape recorded testimony. So all we have left before the jury makes their decision about whether cmurder will spend the rest of his days in angola are the closing arguments closing arguments!!
When I first set out to liveblog this trial, I sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be able to see this thing through. But somehow, a trial that lasted 1 month 7 years ago has suddenly taken 4 days (not including the voir dire). I wonder If mr magoo is phoning it in? My well placed sources have told me that cmurder has been cut off by his more lucrative brother (master p), and is technically indigent. He has been unable to pay Mr Magoo for quite some time. In fact, mr magoo has tried to get himself taken off the case due to nonpayment, but the courts have refused.
I arrived this morning to an almost packed courtroom. More of cmurder's family has come out of the woodwork for today...so many people that the officers are concerned that they may not all fit in the courtroom. Cmurder has gone back to his kanye west look, sporting a green sweater, button up shirt, and glasses. Something I forgot to mention, because I am just noticing: every single one of cmurder's teeth are covered in gold. Talk about a grill. If he is convicted, he may want to think about removing that grill...after all, the price of gold is rising.
Unrelated: this morning started in the most curious way. I'm waiting for the elevator to arrive, and this shabbily dressed man is limping over to the door. On one foot he had one of those foot braces that people wear when they've broken their toes, and on the other foot, he had a birkenstock sandal with a black sock. I guess I was looking at him, because he said, "this is what gout looks like" and winks.
Okay, we are resuming. More later!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Read more
When I first set out to liveblog this trial, I sort of resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn't be able to see this thing through. But somehow, a trial that lasted 1 month 7 years ago has suddenly taken 4 days (not including the voir dire). I wonder If mr magoo is phoning it in? My well placed sources have told me that cmurder has been cut off by his more lucrative brother (master p), and is technically indigent. He has been unable to pay Mr Magoo for quite some time. In fact, mr magoo has tried to get himself taken off the case due to nonpayment, but the courts have refused.
I arrived this morning to an almost packed courtroom. More of cmurder's family has come out of the woodwork for today...so many people that the officers are concerned that they may not all fit in the courtroom. Cmurder has gone back to his kanye west look, sporting a green sweater, button up shirt, and glasses. Something I forgot to mention, because I am just noticing: every single one of cmurder's teeth are covered in gold. Talk about a grill. If he is convicted, he may want to think about removing that grill...after all, the price of gold is rising.
Unrelated: this morning started in the most curious way. I'm waiting for the elevator to arrive, and this shabbily dressed man is limping over to the door. On one foot he had one of those foot braces that people wear when they've broken their toes, and on the other foot, he had a birkenstock sandal with a black sock. I guess I was looking at him, because he said, "this is what gout looks like" and winks.
Okay, we are resuming. More later!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Read more
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