11-11-2014, 09:51 PM
DEFENSE FILES MOTION TO DISMISS ALL CHARGES OR DROP THE DEATH PENALTY
The media attorneys are still fighting Judge Stephens' decision to ban them from access to the courtroom while witnesses testify. The defense clams that some witnesses (who some claim = thattwatjodi herself) won't testify unless their identities are protected.
Judge Stephens is getting criticism for sealing some of her decisions and barring media.
But a bigger deal is the new motion filed by the defense. According to the motion, forensic analysis showed that thousands of files from pornography sites were deleted from Travis Alexander's computer during a three-hour period on June 19, 2009, when it was in the possession of the Mesa Police Department.
The defense hired a computer forensic expert to analyze the computer when it was finally turned over to them by the state. The defense alleges that the expert found evidence of deleted porn files. That's a big deal because it contradicts what state witnesses claimed at trial. It would be prosecutorial misconduct. The motion asks for all charges to be dismissed, or the death penalty to be taken off the table.
I really hope this is a bogus claim by the defense. If it's true, the misconduct could have jeopardized Arias' right to a fair trial and could set things way back.
Story and Defense Motion: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loca.../18828589/
(I hear Carsman in my head again!)
The media attorneys are still fighting Judge Stephens' decision to ban them from access to the courtroom while witnesses testify. The defense clams that some witnesses (who some claim = thattwatjodi herself) won't testify unless their identities are protected.
Judge Stephens is getting criticism for sealing some of her decisions and barring media.
But a bigger deal is the new motion filed by the defense. According to the motion, forensic analysis showed that thousands of files from pornography sites were deleted from Travis Alexander's computer during a three-hour period on June 19, 2009, when it was in the possession of the Mesa Police Department.
The defense hired a computer forensic expert to analyze the computer when it was finally turned over to them by the state. The defense alleges that the expert found evidence of deleted porn files. That's a big deal because it contradicts what state witnesses claimed at trial. It would be prosecutorial misconduct. The motion asks for all charges to be dismissed, or the death penalty to be taken off the table.
I really hope this is a bogus claim by the defense. If it's true, the misconduct could have jeopardized Arias' right to a fair trial and could set things way back.
Story and Defense Motion: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loca.../18828589/
(I hear Carsman in my head again!)