Cathy Russon Reports from the Final Day of the Dee Dee Blanchard Murder Trial | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Prosecution presents evidence of premeditation, while defense claims manipulation by co-defendant in first-degree murder trial.

Key Insights

• 💪 The prosecution has presented strong evidence of premeditation, including discussions about the crime and hesitation by the accused outside the victim's bedroom.
• 🔄 The defense's argument revolves around the co-defendant's manipulation, but it lacks substantial evidence to counter the prosecution's claims.
• 😘 The accused's low IQ level does not legally qualify as a disability that would prevent premeditation.
• 🤽 The inclusion of an autistic person in a first-degree murder trial may influence some jurors' decision-making, potentially leading to a lesser charge if sympathy plays a role.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What does the prosecution need to prove in order to secure a first-degree murder conviction?

The prosecution needs to establish that the accused had the ability to deliberate and premeditate the crime, which they have done by presenting evidence of discussions about the crime prior to the incident and the accused's hesitation outside the victim's bedroom.

Q: What is the defense's argument in this case?

The defense's main argument is that the co-defendant manipulated the accused, casting doubt on his ability to premeditate the crime. They have emphasized the accused's low IQ level but have not provided any substantial evidence to counter the prosecution's claims.

Q: Could the accused receive a lesser charge if the jury is sympathetic towards his autism?

It is possible that if some jurors are sympathetic towards the accused's autism, they may be hesitant to convict him of first-degree murder. However, legally speaking, his IQ level does not qualify as a disability that would prevent premeditation, so a lesser charge would be unlikely based solely on sympathy.

Q: Is a quick verdict expected in this case?

It is unlikely that the jury will reach a quick verdict as there is a lot to consider. They have not had the chance to discuss the case yet, and it is expected that they will take their time in deliberating.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Closing arguments in a first-degree murder trial are expected to begin soon, with the prosecution needing to prove premeditation and the defense arguing manipulation by the co-defendant.

• Throughout the trial, the prosecutors have demonstrated that the accused had multiple opportunities to deliberate and stop the crime, including discussions with the co-defendant leading up to the incident and a momentary pause outside the victim's bedroom.

• The defense has centered its argument around the idea that the co-defendant manipulated the accused, emphasizing that the accused's IQ level does not make it impossible for him to premeditate the crime.