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SJ - Team Jodi

Jodi Arias Trial – Day 11

CLICK HERE FOR DAY 11 VIDEO RECORDING

I think we’ll put today down as a bit of a drab draw for both sides. The only memorable moment in this objection-riddled day being Martinez’ impromptu “shock & awe” stunt, where he wheeled out one of the autopsy photographs for Lisa Daidone without any prior warning. Desperate times call for desperate measures? It certainly looks that way.

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In the meantime, we’ll continue rise above all the BS, stay strong and stay focused on our ultimate objective – that being Jodi’s freedom.

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If you missed the trial yesterday, click here to watch a full video replay.

Click here to read about my thoughts on Chris Hughes’ blackmail attempts.

Let’s see what delights are in store for us today, as we continue on our mission.

Leave your comments below…
SJ

Bombshells, Blackmail & BS – Chris Hughes style

There’s no other way to put this. Chris Hughes is a lying bastard. And when his newly subpoenaed wife takes the stand, she’s not gonna be too far behind him.

Hughes already confirmed he’s firmly on the prosecution’s side, so sure he’s gonna do all he can to fly the flag for them, including stating to the media (on behalf of Martinez) that the TA letters were forged – even though he knows they were not. He knows, having seen some of them, that they’re genuine. He even wrote to TA to tell him he wasn’t treating Jodi right.

In fact both Chris Hughes (and his wife, Sky) emailed Travis telling him he was being abusive to Jodi back in 2007. They also discussed TA’s “age of attraction” when it comes to young girls, which (as far as I recall) Sky was somewhat surprised at. This ties together the earlier pedophile rumors pertaining to TA and his preference for pigtails & 12 years old’s, does it not?

But here’s the thing… both Chris & Sky Hughes KNOW only too well that TA was both physically & verbally abusive to Jodi. 2 other people know that too… Gus Searcy and Mr X.

Hughes also had a much earlier conversation with Esteban Flores (as relayed by Kirki Nurmi yesterday prior to Martinez’ objection), where Flores asked Hughes this question:

“You could see Travis losing it with Jodi and throwing her against a wall?”

I believe Hughes’ answer to that question would have been “YES”… but we’ll have to wait to hear more about that. This is another reason why Flores should not be present in the courtroom watching all the testimonies – but let’s not digress here. We already know what Flores is.

Then there’s the Chris Hughes blackmail attempt – still apparently in effect – and ultimately concluding with Gus Searcy doing his best to protect the individual concerned (Mr X) by invoking his right to plead the 5th. That happened while under cross from Martinez at the end of yesterday’s proceedings when he requested the blackmailed individual’s name, and after Gus had stated (to Kirk Nurmi) that the individual was “too afraid to testify because of Chris Hughes”. After pleading the 5th, that led to a private discussion.

Here’s my take on the Hughes blackmail attempt:

After the initial calls to each other, Chris Hughes finally connected with Gus Searcy to find out what he was planning to say when he testified (no doubt a fishing expedition arranged by Martinez).  Gus was in his car when he took that call. Mr X was also in the car and overheard the conversation, either relayed by Gus or due to the phone being on loudspeaker at the time.

When Hughes found out that Mr X had become aware of the situation, and that Mr X also knew about TA being physically & verbally abusive to Jodi, he hatched a plan to try and keep him quiet. The plan was along the lines of Hughes telling Mr X that if he ALSO testified to the abuse, he would personally see that either [1] Mr X was removed from Pre Paid Legal and/or [2] that Mr X would have his Pre Paid Legal referrals (i.e. his “downline”) removed and repositioned under someone else.

Either way, this would cause considerable financial hardship to Mr X, as Gus stated yesterday.

This (as far as I can see) is what’s behind Chris Hughes’ blackmail attempt on Mr X, and Gus Searcy’s obvious resistance to divulging Mr X’s name in court yesterday – even going so far as pleading the 5th to protect the guy.

So as of right now — and to back up Jodi’s valid self-defense claim — there are at least 4 people aware that TA was both physically & verbally abusive to Jodi. They are – Chris & Sky Hughes, Gus Searcy and Mr X… not forgetting the letters too, where Kirk Nurmi cited the defense expert who can categorically confirm  the letters are authentic and most likely were written by TA.

Check out the video below with the testimonies from Chris Hughes, Abe Abdelhadi (starts @ 54:00) and Gus Searcy. Click here to watch yesterday’s trial in full.

Your thoughts?
SJ

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Additional links:

Chris Hughes – apparently “Vice Chair” of The Soldier Hollow Charter School Board in Midway, Utah: http://www.mysoldierhollow.com/board/meet-the-board/

http://www.teamrenew.com/chris-sky-hughes
http://www.teamrenew.com/teamrenew-founders
http://www.pd4free.com/

Legal Shield conference calls page:
http://ppltelevox.com/chris
Chris Hughes Cell: 951-816-7682

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cshughes
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hughescs
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/hugheschris

http://www.cshughes.com
http://personalgrowthacademy.com

Jodi Arias Trial – Day 10

CLICK HERE FOR DAY 10 VIDEO RECORDING

UPDATE: Arrogant asshole Martinez shows his ignorance of a basic business system… and in his failed attempt to rubbish PPL (and every other similar program) with his “pyramid scam” references, he forgets that virtually every product sold is done so via a very similar if not identical structure. The buyers buys, and the seller makes a profit, as does the place they bought it from, as does the place they bought it from too (etc etc).

Add Martinez arguing over inconsequential days & times into the mix, a geometry lesson, an impromptu 10 second pause, another tantrum session, and his inordinate number of objections to break Kirk’s flow… and it’s obvious he’s losing the plot… and fast.

*** Noon Recess ***

Afternoon witness list:
Darryl Brewer (Jodi’s ex)
Chris Hughes (“handwriting expert” and liar)
Abe Abdelhadi (continuation of evidentiary hearing testimony)
Gus Searcy (redirect)

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Following on from yesterday’s events (click here for the highlights), it’s gonna be equally interesting today as we’re assured more of the same – including the return of Gus Searcy and his potential “bombshell”… plus Chris Hughes and Abe Abdelhadi.

The fact is, Martinez is losing this “nailed on” case – and he knows it. His actions from yesterday said it all. He also KNOWS what Gus Searcy knows (probably DV related), which is why he never called him back. Same reason he decided not to call back Lisa Andrews Daidone or any of the roommates. Go figure.

Hopefully it’ll all come out this week as we start our defense.

Leave your comments below…
SJ

Rising above the BS and staying focused…

People are always asking me how I counter the TA supporters or TA “fans” (as they call themselves). The answer is simple. I don’t. I also get asked every day if I’ve seen this website or that website or a particular forum and what they’re saying on it. Well, I don’t read or even visit any sites that are diametrically opposed to this one. Why would I?

They can plough on doing their thing, and we’ll plough on doing ours… which is supporting Jodi as much as we possibly can throughout this ordeal. We’ll also continue to support Jodi long after the trial, irrespective of the outcome and any other prevailing factors that come into play.

But the thing is… and it’s gotta be said… there’s a big difference between us and them. You see, we don’t go around hating, spewing filth and sending out death threats left right & center. We observe, and we comment accordingly. We also don’t pull any stupid boycotting stunts or off-tangent stuff like posting negative reviews on Amazon book pages for example.

We’re above all that.

We’re also above them.

Just like the Casey haters and knuckle-draggers, they are operating at their best level.

And so are we.

For any quest to be successful, you have to be fully focused on your objective. You also have to be equally focused and channel all your energy in a positive fashion. That’s why (for example) if someone is an avid supporter of world peace… and no doubt many people are… their best option would be to go on a world peace rally… not an anti-war rally. Do you see my point?

We are therefore focused on our objective – that being Jodi’s freedom. We don’t go off on tangents.

And that’s why we will ultimately be successful.

You can mark my words on that, as the saying goes…
SJ

The Evidentiary hearing, 1-28

CLICK HERE FOR EVIDENTIARY HEARING VIDEO

Following today’s Evidentiary hearing, we got to find out a little more regarding Martinez’ behind the scenes shenanigans.

Also great to see Gus Searcy (Legal Shield-PPL) squaring up to Martinez’ tactics, and ultimately showing the prosecutor up for the deceptive arrogant asshole he really is. Riveting viewing to say the least. Consensus of opinion is that Gus won with a Rocky-style 2nd round knockout.

Searcy also stated (to Chris Hughes) that he had information on Jodi that “would either hurt her or free her.”

Chris Hughes also testified, as did Ibrai Abel Hadi (by phone). Both will be testifying again tomorrow.

And still, Martinez can do no wrong in the eyes of Judge Sherry Stephens. I’m not too sure how long this pantomime can go on before someone higher up has a word in Sherry’s ear, and she pulls the plug on it all to try and save face for the state.

Your thoughts?
SJ

Dissecting the photographs

Check out the pictures below – all produced as evidence in the trial – and leave your comments below. This should also enable us (for now at least) to keep discussions regarding the pics in one central page for easier reference.

With regards to the camera strap and its suggested usage, Heather Conner testified (on Day 4) that the camera strap was found still unwrapped and in the camera bag (exhibit 213). Kirk Nurmi also deliberately highlighted this on cross examination. Excluding the use of a secondary strap, this therefore confirms there was no strap used while any of the pictures were being taken with the Sony camera.

Here are the pics:

Pic # 1: One of the hallway pics, where the body is allegedly being dragged and photographed at the same time – also featuring “the foot” and “the pants with the blue vertical stripe”. I’m not convinced this picture was taken while the camera was on the ground. Pictured timed at 5:32:16 PM.

Pic #2: A second picture where TA is allegedly being “dragged”. Very hard to make out what’s actually shown in the picture, but it could easily be a shoe as it could be anything else. If it was TA’s body being dragged on a “sheet” (as some pundits have stated), then how would it be possible to be dragging the body and taking the picture at the same time? Pictured timed at 5:33:32 PM.

Pic #3: A picture of the ceiling “accidentally” taken during the struggle in the bathroom while Jodi was defending herself from TA’s attack. Pictured timed at 5:31:14 PM.

Pic #4: The piece of duct tape (retrieved from the bathroom floor) as seen on TA’s right arm in the “bedroom pics”…

Pic #5: The Sony camera as retrieved from the washing machine. The button is on the right of the camera. Jodi is left handed…

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Leave your comments below…
SJ

Is the Martinez sideshow coming off the rails already?

I think it is.

It was obvious from the questions raised by the jury, that they’re not buying what the prosecution is selling. They also don’t believe (at this point) that Jodi acted alone.

Can you imagine Juan Martinez in a wrestling match with Kirk Nurmi? Enough said.

Then there’s Thomas Brown. He’s the guy Jodi initially pointed out as a potential suspect. He’s also a former roommate of TA and was interviewed no less than 3 times by Esteban Flores. None of the information provided by Thomas Brown was ever included in any documentation passed to the defense. Am I surprised by that? Not really.

Next there’s the gun – overly trumpeted by the prosecution as “the murder weapon” and as “stolen” by Jodi… but with no ballistics proof (or any other proof for that matter) to back any of those claims up.

There’s also the forever-wavering testimony of Esteban “I’m watching all the testimonies” Flores relating to his much publicized sequence of events, which did nothing to assist the prosecution either – and why would it. His theory after all, was based on an alleged conversation he had with Dr Horn, which Dr Horn subsequently denied and which Flores then put it down to a “mistake”. No shit!

Also take into account Martinez’ reluctance to call the still subpoenaed Lisa Andrews Daidone… where she apparently recalled the multiple tire slashing incidents (while spending the night with TA), and subsequently tried pinning that (and started the “stalking” rumors) on Jodi… but totally bypassed the thought that both the stalking and the tire incidents could have been directed at her by her ex Steve Bell? (The “John Doe” email is also included at the end of this post).

That’s the same Steve Bell that had serious issues with the law both preceding and following his break up with Lisa over her escapades with TA. I believe Martinez said he didn’t want to call Lisa because he didn’t want to create an “inflammatory situation” for the jury causing an appellate issue. In layman’s terms, he didn’t want her tire slashing & stalking statements to sway the jury, only for them to be proven as false at a later date, subsequently forcing an acquittal.

Overall, and based on the respective performance to date of the slipshod & overly confident prosecution, and with copious amounts of prosecutorial misconduct in plain sight already (notwithstanding or to the exclusion of the ongoing SMS message issue or the recent camera dropping stunt), I personally think the probability of a directed verdict is very low, but a mistrial should not be ruled out at some stage for numerous reasons.

Who was the last “Mr Big” prosecutor that thought he had a “slam dunk” in a high profile trial, prior to it all coming off the rails and going tits up in unforgettable style? I believe it was Jeff Ashton – The Laughing Guy himself… yeah.

So maybe we can draw some similarities between this trial and Casey’s trial after all… even though, if I recall correctly, Ashton never rested for the state directly after showing naked pics of the defendant to one of his own witnesses.

Your thoughts so far?
SJ

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This is an excerpt from the “John Doe” email, which Lisa Andrews Daidone alleges was sent to her by Jodi on 12-8-2008:

“You are a shameful whore. Your Heavenly Father must be deeply ashamed of the whoredoms you’ve committed with that insidious man. If you let him stay in your bed one more time or even sleep under the same roof as him, you will be giving the appearance of evil. You are driving away the Holy Ghost, and you are wasting your time. You are also compromising your salvation and breaking your bapitismal covenants. Of all the commandments to break, committing acts of whoredom is one of the most displeasing in the eyes of the Lord. You cannot be ashamed enough of yourself. You are filthy, and you need to repent and come clean in the eyes of God. Think about your future husband, and how you disrespect not only yourself, but him, as well as the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Is that what you want for yourself? Your future, your salvation, and your posterity is resting on your choices and actions. You are a daughter of God, and you have been a shameful example. Be thou clean, sin no more. Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to make the right choices. I know you are strong enough to choose the right. Your Father in Heaven is pulling for you. Don’t ignore the promptings you receive, because they are vital to your spiritual well-being.”

Jodi Arias trial: Defense witness list

From ABC15.com:

When court resumes Tuesday, Jodi Arias’ defense team is expected to present its case. A witness list has been revealed.

According to Good Morning America, Jodi Arias is on the defense list. That doesn’t mean she’ll testify but it’s a possibility.

Also on the list:

  • Matt McCartney, a former boyfriend who lives in California.
  • Two friends and two former girlfriends of Travis Alexander.  The defense claims Alexander was seeing those girlfriends at the same time he was dating Arias.
  • Richard Samuels, a valley psychologist and expert on sexual violence cases.
  • Kimberly Ross, Arias’ former cell mate.

The trial starts again next Tuesday, January 29th.

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Note: As far as I’m aware, this is only a partial witness list.

SJ

Self defense, reasonable doubt, premeditation, mistrials and the viability of a not guilty verdict – (attorney post)

If, like most of us, you’re still pondering over the relative ins & outs of the self defense scenario, reasonable doubt, the alleged premeditation, the viability of a not guilty verdict for Jodi, and the current mistrial motions…  check out the post below from David, our resident criminal defense attorney.

It was posted in response to some questions raised earlier this week, and certainly makes interesting reading.

Leave your comments below…
SJ

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To answer your first question

If the defense, in their opening statements, laid out a self-defense scenario (that it was her life or his), is this THE one and only strategy they are now obliged to follow-through with?

My answer…

Not necessarily. However, it would be Miss Arias’ best interest for her defense team to follow through with their opening statements. Otherwise, it severely weakens their case for the accused. Keep in mind that at the present time, the jury already has in the back of their minds that Miss Arias ‘defended’ herself from a potentially fatal attack as per the opening statements of the defense team. So, as the jury views the exhibits from the prosecution, they are potentially analyzing them in terms of ‘Self Defense.’ (as we ALL are even right now! Consider our extensive discussion here, we have been analyzing everything in terms of the ‘Self Defense’ claim. So, do you see the importance of following through with it?) Thus, it would be most unwise for the defense team to suddenly shift this focus…only in rare circumstances would it be wise to suddenly shift the focus.

Next question…

That is, is this inevitably what we’re going to hear–that Jodi had to defend herself against a physical attack–when the defense presents its case?

Again, not necessarily, but most likely as it pertains to this particular case.

Your next question…

And, if that’s indeed what we’re going to hear, is this how the defense plans to–not PROVE that he attacked first–but to create “reasonable doubt” that this was a premeditated murder?

That is absolutely correct. To avoid an unfavorable verdict, there has to be doubt among the jury that Miss Arias intentionally killed Mr. Alexander. Under United States Code Title 18, Chapter 51, Section 1111 murder is defined as the criminal act of taking a human’s life with malice aforethought. “Aforethought” is the planning of the act, or premeditation. The jury will take EVERYTHING of the trial into consideration and then determine a verdict based on Arizona’s statute of First Degree Murder.

Your next question…

Also, could the defense change/shift their strategy mid-stream, or add other aspects to create doubt of premeditation, such as suggesting a mental illness/defect or that this was a crime of passion?

‘Change/shift’ is probably not the words I would choose to describe this situation. To put it differently, the defense team could ‘enhance’ their strategy mid-stream by adding other aspects to create doubt of premeditation. It would be very difficult for the defense team to even suggest mental illness at this point without some sort of documented history and not to mention, this would have definitely come up during discovery. (ie. there would have been subpoenas for Miss Arias’ psychiatric records and I do not believe this was the case here.)

The defense team would completely invalidate their original Self Defense claim if they suddenly decided to suggest that this was a crime of passion. There is a HUGE difference between Self Defense and a Crime of Passion; the two are very much different. The key difference between the two is who is ATTACKING who? If this were a crime of passion, then Miss Arias is undoubtedly the attacker because she is quite peeved at Mr. Alexander. In Self Defense, Miss Arias is ‘defending’ herself from an attack.

So in this particular case, the defense team is suggesting that Miss Arias was the defender, not the attacker. Suddenly changing it to a crime of passion would then suggest Miss Arias was the attacker…do you see now why suggesting that this was a crime of passion is not viable?

Next question…

Is the ultimate goal, for the defense, to save Jodi from the death penalty–nothing more and nothing less?

No, the ultimate goal would be to get a verdict of ‘Not Guilty’ from the jury which is seemingly feasible considering she is charged with premeditated first degree murder and burglary…that’s it! There are no lesser charges for the jury to consider, although they can suggest a lesser charge(s) which will most likely happen if they cannot convict her of first degree murder and burglary.

Last question…

Are all those motions for a mistrial just planting seeds in the record for any future trials or parole hearings–or something like that?

Sort of, but not really. The motions for mistrial are really just something more for the appellate court(s) to consider. In other words, if an unfavorable verdict from the jury is handed down to Miss Arias then begins the appeals process. The case will then go to the appellate court for further examination. There, they will review the motions for mistrial (among a myriad of other things to consider) and then determine if it was legally appropriate for Judge Sherri Stephens to deny the motions. Rarely does an appellate court rule against the lower court’s decision to deny a motion for mistrial…although, it does happen.

Hope I’ve answered your questions.

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