A simple blog collecting true crime stories from all around the world! With a special emphasis on trial coverage and occasional analysis.
Feel free to share the entries in this blog, and to contact the blog writers at crimestories@gmx.com
Dublin, Ireland: With the long
trial of Graham Dwyer finally complete, I've been looking back at how the story has developed since
the discovery of Elaine O'Hara's remains in Killakee forest, right up
to the current events of the trial.
So, I've created a little series about it all.
The series is unique as it is compiled by using radio news reports and
talk radio discussions, collected over a period of a year and a half.
The following is the second chapter in a series based on the death of
Elaine O'Hara and the subsequent arrest of, and trial for her murder of,
Graham Dwyer.
Dublin, Ireland: With the long trial of Graham Dwyer coming to an end, the jury are expected to get the case today, I've been looking back at how the story has developed since the discovery of Elaine O'Hara's remains in Killakee forest, right up to the current events of the trial.
So, I've created a little series about it all.
The series is unique as it is compiled by using radio news reports and
talk radio discussions, collected over a period of a year and a half.
The following is the first chapter in a series based on the death of Elaine O'Hara and the subsequent arrest of, and trial for her murder of, Graham Dwyer.
The Story Behind the Sealed Testimony: The Public is invited, but not welcome!
I've already read the majority of the transcripts which were released after the controversy surrounding Judge Sherry Stephens' decision to allow Arias to testify without the media present. A decision which led media outlets bringing a winning case before the Arizona Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeals not only agreed with the media outlets but imposed a stay on Stephens' decision after two days of
closed testimony and ultimately ruled that witnesses could not testify
in secret.
The Court of Appeal declined to agree, and hence ordered that the transcripts of the proceedings be released, and that all secret testimony cease.
It was through the written transcripts, that the much speculated on "secret witness", was revealed that it had been Ms Arias herself who had testified behind closed doors. The, alleged reason for this required protective secrecy, is that Ms
Arias didn't feel she could convey her heartfelt condolences and remorse
to a packed court room.
Naturally, Jennifer Willmott filed a petition in the
Arizona Supreme Court to reverse the decision by the Appeals Court which ordered had order the release of the transcripts and the cessation of the
Attorney Jennifer Willmott, with Arias.
sealed testimony.
They claimed at the time, that three witnesses for the defense "refused" to testify on behalf of Arias, in open court, due to receiving death threats and online harassment due to their association with the case. Willmott and Kirk Nurmi, also argue daily broadcasts of the trial would lead to defense witnesses backing out for fear of being harassed or threatened.
As a consequence of these rulings, Ms Arias was asked by Judge Stephens if she wanted to continue with her testimony, which had been put on hold while the petition to the Court of Appeals was being heard. She stood up to face the court and announced:
“I do want to complete it but I’m not able to.”
It was then suggested to prosecutor Juan Martinez that he could have Ms Arias' incomplete testimony struck out, as he hadn't had the chance to cross examine her (which we all would have enjoyed watching! Let's admit it!). Martinez allowed it to be left in, and hence forth the defense rested their case!
And that's the story behind the Sealed Court Sessions.
The really remarkable thing to me (besides the obviously legal ramifications of closed door testimony), is that from what I read in the usual boring, self-serving, overly detailed Jodi stuff that was got in excruciating minutiae in the original guilt phase of the trial in 2013.
Attorney Kirk Nurmi
So I guess it's just Jodi's pathological need for attention.
Kirk Nurmi says "Arias would not testify because the media
coverage of her testimony would affect her ability to think and answer
questions in a manner 'she truly means' to 'fully actualize' her
mitigation.
"Specifically, counsel
stated that Arias was receiving threatening mail, including death
threats, and as a result, Arias did not feel she would be 'able to fully
communicate what she wants to say, communicate her remorse and go
through all the mitigating factors and get them out there in front of
the jury with the public here,'" he continued.
Why either Nurmi, Willmott, Arias or even Judge Stephens felt that these were legitimate reasons to essentially lock the public out of a public proceeding, at which they had every right to be, is beyond me.
It would be understandable if the testimony was of a "sensitive" nature, as has been done recently here in Ireland, in the case of Graham Dwyer, but it seems abhorrent in a country whose willingness to openness in the legal system has long held my respect and interest. It seems that Judge Stephens is a believer is that old sentiment:
"The public is invited, but not welcome."
Judge Stephens speaks with Attorney Martinez
But there wasn't anything sensitive shared by Arias over those days, from what I recall from the transcripts, so as I begin to watch them now, I'll be viewing them closely!
Playlist of the Sealed Testimony by Jodi Arias. Oct/Nov 2014
I had made a posting on a forum (whom I shan't be naming), earlier tonight, proclaiming that after editing through fifteen or twenty minutes of it, (listening and editing go hand in hand, obviously);
I made the rather bold statement for a lady who really couldn't stand his low brow tactics in the 2013 trial.
I said that after hearing as far as I heard, I thought that maybe Kirk Nurmi seemed to be doing quite well. He had an easy to follow narrative set out, and even seemed to know where he was going with it. No aimless rambling.
And then a further few minutes into the edit, THIS HAPPENED:
I hereby declare that I'm taking back every kind thing I ever said about the man.
He's still a scumbag. Only a scumbag would delve this low. To imply
that Travis was near the top of a pyramid scheme. I'm not one of those
people who worship Saint Travis, so I understand what he was involved
in.
Gus Searcy: A Legend in his own mind
Remember Gus Searcy? Or Creepy Gus, and he came to be called.
That man was reprehensible! Just looking for his 15 minute.
His exchange with Martinez is a classic, where they argue over the "shape" of the business model.
The exchange lead to, the now. immortal line from Gus:
"It's not a triangle, it's more of a circle, if you want to get into geometry."
*Watch the video of this exchange been Martinez and Searcy here or scroll to the bottom of this page to watch it here!
So after watching Searcy dance around the structure of the company like a prima ballerina, it was quite easy to infer what business practices were in place. And so did everyone else, thanks to Martinez's dogged approach!
But Nurmi seemed to be implying that Travis was
way at the top, maybe even running it ffs! I'm mean we all that Travis was
in serious debt. So there absolutely know reason for Nurmi to cast
aspersions on Travis's job or finances, other than to purely to
facilitate a really disgusting and low attempt at character
assassination.
I can't recall if Nurmi every tried this kind of approach with Travis in
the 2013 trial, but I'll see what I can find. But I'm fairly sure that
he didn't.
Which gets me thinking! Maybe my husband is right. But not only is Nurmi trying to physically morph into Martinez, but perhaps, maybe (and by maybe I mean, WILD SPECULATION! LOL!), just maybe! Nurmi is taking a leaf out of Martinez's playbook by using Legal Shield to discredit someone. Because that's exactly what Martinez did when Searcy was a defense witness!
Laois, Ireland: March 12 2015: Us eager Jodi Arias and trial watchers alike, are currently awaiting the full release of all those glorious hours of trial to pour over (I'm not addicted, I can quit anytime I want! :P),. But it seems that whoever is holding the tapes from release is content to tease us by releasing Juan Martinez's Opening Statement and Kirk Nurmi's Opening Statement along with Day 1 Part 1 and Part 2 .
So while I wait for the rest of the videos, I edited down Juan Martinez's opening speech in the search for those little gems he sometimes pulls out of nowhere! He didn't disappoint.
Below you'll find a handy playlist I put together to make for easy viewing! Enjoy!
