COOPER HARRIS, 2, DIES IN HOT CAR: JUSTIN HARRIS CHARGED WITH MURDER

[Adub]

I'm not convinced she was in on it but she didn't seem surprised by what happened. I think she will get charged with something. Maybe accessory after the fact. I find it hard to believe they didn't talk about Cooper earlier in the day. Ross says shit! I left him in the car. He's probably already dead. And she conspired with him to say it was an accident.

There was no "shit" I left him in the car. Ross Harris intentionally left his son in the car to die. It was planned.

[Duchess]

I foolishly listened to a Dr describe what a death like that would entail. It's absolutely horrible as you might imagine. The brain swelling with no room for it to expand. Jesus. Both the parents researched it, they know what Cooper went through. It's a painful death.

[HairOfTheDog]

It's a painful death.

And slow.

Cooper would have been baking to death and trying to get out of the ill-fitted car seat (according to Detective Stoddard, the straps were secured at the tightest setting -- like for an infant -- even though Cooper had already outgrown the seat).

Cooper was scratching at his face and banging the back of his head, judging by the autopsy results. Excruciating.

I hope like hell that prosecutors will be able to get enough evidence to show intent and up the cruelty charge from one of neglect to one of malice again. This should be a capital case, IMO.

[ramseycat]

I'm not convinced she was in on it but she didn't seem surprised by what happened. I think she will get charged with something. Maybe accessory after the fact. I find it hard to believe they didn't talk about Cooper earlier in the day. Ross says shit! I left him in the car. He's probably already dead. And she conspired with him to say it was an accident.

There was no "shit" I left him in the car. Ross Harris intentionally left his son in the car to die. It was planned.

I knows that. I was saying that maybe he said that to her when she asked how was breakfast or how was Cooper when you dropped him off.

[Carsman]

It just amazes me that why do these crazy fucks have to "kill their kids" rather then "give or sell" them to wanting loving people. There are so many couples who can't conceive children of their own, or same sex couples, who would be willing to pay thousands of dollars for a baby. Bet many of them would take it any way they could, legally, illegally, or however.
So disgruntled parents need not have to kill their kids. (If laws need to be changed, so be it)

[HairOfTheDog]

Public Donations to be Refunded

PayPal will soon be issuing refunds to customers who used the service to donate to the campaign at YouCaring.com, where a total of more than $22,000 was given, PayPal spokeswoman Adriana Higuera said in a late Thursday statement to The Associated Press.

Story: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/georgia-todd...to-family/

Good customer service move by PayPal.

But, it really amazes me that so many people donated to a man charged with murdering his child before any facts were released.

[Duchess]

it really amazes me that so many people donated to a man charged with murdering his child before any facts were released.

I only kinda am but I have a poor opinion of society in general so that may play a role. I think I might say "WTF is wrong with people" at least once a day, more if I'm out in public.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think I might say "WTF is wrong with people" at least once a day, more if I'm out in public.[/i][/size]

Right? It's even worse when you're looking 'em right in the eyes!

I kinda understood people donating to Victoria, the mauling victim, even though no details or facts were provided when the KFC discrimination allegations went viral. The kid was truly a victim either way and people were probably willing to take their chances that the money would help Victoria whether or not she was treated poorly at some fast food joint.

But, I don't get the initial outrage and donations on behalf of Ross Harris. I mean, even if people assumed that Ross Harris was being overcharged for whatever reasons, we knew for a fact that at minimum he'd left his toddler in the car all damned day and the baby baked to death. Why would anyone want to sign a petition on his behalf or donate to him under any circumstances? It really does amaze me, though I know it probably shouldn't.

Anyway, at this point, even some of his old friends have stepped away from the Ross-man; some are speaking to the media (and probably cashing in):

STORIES -- FRIENDS SPEAK OUT:
http://www.11alive.com/story/news/local/.../12508275/
http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2014/0...ler-death/

[ramseycat]

There are concerns about having a trial in Cobb county due to all the media coverage. Some other things reported in the news turned out to be false too. Like Ross has been beaten up in jail.

[HairOfTheDog]

There are concerns about having a trial in Cobb county due to all the media coverage.

I understand that defense attorneys and talking heads need to stir that pot. But, IMO it's rarely if ever the case that defendants can't get a fair trial in any jurisdiction if the court/judge invests in a comprehensive jury selection and screening process.

Despite the overwhelming media coverage, OJ Simpson got a fair trial in Los Angeles county. Jodi Arias got a fair trial in Maricopa county. George Zimmerman got a fair trial in Seminole County...

Lots of defendants have had fair trials in their own venues with more media (national and local) than Justin Ross Harris has received.

[HairOfTheDog]

Media coverage and comments seem to be an area of concern for Leanna Harris' lawyer, as well.

LEANNA HARRIS' LAWYER SPEAKS OUT



Snip:
Leanna Harris is "living every parent's nightmare," read the statement, released by Atlanta-based attorney Lawrence Zimmerman. "The child she bore and loved every moment of his life has died. For most parents, it is difficult, if not impossible, to comprehend such as thing. But for Leanna, that nightmare is all too real."

Leanna Harris has not been charged in the case, though her seeming lack of emotion following her son's death has drawn public criticism. Zimmerman blasted the scrutiny, saying the media "has fostered a poisonous atmosphere in which Leanna's every word, action and emotion - or failure to cry in front of a crowd -- is scrutinized for some supposed hidden meaning."

"Reporters have delved into Leanna's upbringing, her employment, quizzed people for information about her marriage, and her sex life. The constant attention has prevented her from returning to work," the statement read.

Comparing Leanna Harris to a former "suspect" who was later cleared, Zimmerman wrote, "In much the same way, the press unjustly harassed and hounded Olympic bombing hero Richard Jewell when he didn't behave as some thought he should." (HOTD: Really inappropriate comparison by Zimmerman; Leanna Harris is not a hero who saved people -- at best, she didn't know her husband was brain-dead or a monster -- Zimmerman is spinning too hard here.)

Zimmerman said Leanna Harris was mourning Cooper's death "deeply, in her own private way" and requested privacy for his client.

"For Leanna, Cooper's death has been devastating. She asks that she be allowed to grieve in private without reporters calling, following or watching her home," the statement reads.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lawyer-mom-o...evastated/

[HairOfTheDog]

MOM KEEPS SPINNING

I don't know whether or not Leanna Cooper was involved in the death of her son.



But, I don't like her either way.

First she puts her husband over her dead son in all of her public statements. Then, she and her attorney make barely-veiled threats of a lawsuit against media covering the story and idiotically compare her to Richard Jewell.

Now, she and her attorney are trying to spin her receipt of a "Victim's Impact Statement" form and package into some kind of public acknowledgement that the District attorney's Office considers her a victim and above suspicion. Of course, her answers to the questions on the form are all about defending her husband (and were vetted by her attorney).

Weak attempt to garner sympathy for herself and her leader...I mean, husband.

Her Attorney's Statement:
“I hope really that the public understands they have jumped the gun … in thinking that she had anything to do with it whatsoever,” Lawrence Zimmerman said Friday. “The District Attorney’s Office is calling her a victim. And I hope the public will take the lead from the district attorney.” And while she feels some relief at being termed a victim by her husband’s accusers, Leanna Harris is still fearful prosecutors may attempt to implicate her in Cooper’s death, Zimmerman said.

“She’s concerned every single day of her life,” he said. “She’s very concerned because she’s afraid that, with the power of the government, who knows? Who wouldn’t be concerned?” (HOTD: well....someone who didn't have anything to do with it and/or isn't trying to convince the public via media that her husband was the best dad in the whole wide world -- whilst simultaneously complaining about media coverage.)

The DA Spokesperson's Response:
However, Kim Isaza, a spokeswoman for the Cobb District Attorney Vic Reynolds, said the public shouldn’t read anything into the package sent to Leanna Harris, which included a book about coping with tragic death. “We are required by the Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights to send those forms to all victims or a victim’s next of kin, and it is standard procedure in the Cobb District Attorney’s Office to do so,” Isaza said in an email.

Story: http://www.myajc.com/news/news/crime-law...728.735454

[Duchess]

I don't like her and that makes me feel like judging her. She's a twat! I haven't liked her since I saw what she said at her son's funeral. I wanted to slap her.

[HairOfTheDog]

Grand Jury Indicts Justin Ross Harris

After probable cause was established at the hearing in July, the case went to the Grand Jury.

In addition to the charges he faces in connection with his son's death, Harris may also be charged with felony sexual exploitation of a minor and misdemeanor illegal contact with a minor.

The Grand Jury indicted Harris on the following charges:

-Malice Murder
-Felony Murder
-Cruelty to Children in the First Degree
-Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree
-Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony, to wit: Sexual Exploitation of Children
-Dissemination of harmful Material to Minors

Indictment: http://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/wgcl/harr...ment_2.pdf

Full story: http://www.cbs46.com/story/26447086/cobb...oss-harris

[ramseycat]

He's never going to get a fair trial here. People commenting on FB are all saying he deserves death.

[HairOfTheDog]

Snip:

Leanna Harris' lawyer, Lawrence Zimmerman, said in an emailed statement that he hired a licensed veteran polygraph administrator and former law enforcement officer to administer the test to Harris on July 16. Harris passed the test with no indication of deception, he said.

Zimmerman said Harris responded "no" to each of the following questions during the polygraph test:

- Prior to June 18^th, did you know that your husband would leave your son in that vehicle?

- Did you plan or arrange with your husband to leave your son in that vehicle?

- Did your husband tell you that he was going to leave your son in that vehicle?

Police have questioned Leanna Harris, but she faces no charges in the case.

Story: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lawyer-mom-i...polygraph/
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I don't understand why she and her lawyer don't shut up and lay low. There's no media covering her goings-on these days (media focus was something she complained about earlier on). So, now she goes to the media for more exposure. What's the point?

Polys aren't admissible in court; especially ones conducted under the direction of a defense attorney. She's not charged with anything. The fact that she passed a poly doesn't do anything for her husband. Maybe she wants to come across as credible because she plans to testify at her husband's trial about how great he is? But, his attorney would have to desperate as hell to have her take the stand given how cold she comes across and considering she'd then be open to cross-examination.

Weird.

[ScientistsCanvas]

http://myfox8.com/2014/09/24/prosecution...car-death/

“After reviewing Georgia’s death penalty statute and considering other factors, the state will not seek the death penalty in this case at this time. I cannot and will not elaborate at this juncture of the case,” Reynolds said in a written statement.

His arraignment supposedly took place October 17^th, any info about that?

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm wondering what the investigation is turning up; the case has been quiet in the media. The decision not to pursue the death penalty is interesting.

Regarding the arraignment hearing, there wasn't one.

Harris had been scheduled for an arraignment on Friday, October 17^th.

But, he chose to waive the appearance.

A waiver is a plea of not guilty, without the necessity of reading the charges out loud.

[ScientistsCanvas]

This is a little bit off topic, but has anyone read exactly what car seat Cooper was in, or have a weight/height for him? I’m a CPST “car seat tech”, so I’m just wondering if he was truly way beyond the limits of the seat, or if people just think he should have been forward facing or was “too big” because the majority of the public turns their babies forward facing around a year old.

[HairOfTheDog]

I haven't seen the exact details about the car seat released in the media, Scientists.

But, the car seat was made out to be factor in establishing probable cause for arrest during the hearing.

This is from back in July:
Ross Harris and wife Leanna Harris had moved the boy back into a rear-facing car seat that was too small after acquiring a new front-facing one, Cobb County Police Det. Phil Stoddard said. The relevance to the investigation is that Harris would not have been able to see his son (from the driver’s seat) in the older model. According to a warrant in the case, officials said that “Harris knew the specific make and model of the seat and what the weight limit was for the child to be seated in it,” and “when the seat was inspected the straps, for the seat were set on the lowest level for a small child.”

Whether the investigation has uncovered a reasonable explanation for Harris to have been using the older car seat since the probable cause hearing, I don't know.