Viewer - Closing arguments in Halloween double homicide trial

Closing arguments in Halloween double homicide trial

Friday June 15, 2012

9:14	[Standby] The host is placing this Live Event into Standby Mode.

9:17

tinynotebook:

Getting ready to bring the jury in for closing arguments in the Halloween Double Homicide. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:17 tinynotebook

9:19

tinynotebook:

I'll be in the courtroom covering closing arguments and the verdict live. @daniellemsalis is out today. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:19 tinynotebook

9:24

[Comment From JoeJoe: ]

Glad to see that you are all back covering this and letting us know what is going on, But what happen to the last couple of days? You all tease us and then dump us til now

Friday June 15, 2012 9:24 Joe

9:27

Aaron Aupperlee:

Joe, glad to know you are interested in what we are writing! We decided not to cover every bit of action in this trial live, for the reason we weren't convinced it would all be worth the constant attention. This is the first time we have covered a trial live, and we plan to do so again. So, we'll make future coverage decisions based on our experience here.

Friday June 15, 2012 9:27 Aaron Aupperlee

9:27

Brian Wheeler:

In the meantime, check out our full coverage of the case here: http://topics.mlive.com/tag/Grass%20Lake%20homicide/index.html

Friday June 15, 2012 9:27 Brian Wheeler

9:29

tinynotebook:

Barbara Mercer and Richard Janish just walked into the courtroom. If you're just joining us, complete coverage here http://ht.ly/bBjoi [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:29 tinynotebook

9:30

[Comment From JoeJoe: ]

I'm sure not many people know about live coverage yet but it is very interesting and I'm already hooked

Friday June 15, 2012 9:30 Joe

9:32

Brian Wheeler:

Thanks, Joe! It's a technique you'll be seeing more. Today, we are covering Springport softball live at 11 a.m., and this weekend we will be picking up live tweets from Michigan International Speedway (#MLiveNASCAR). And no doubt, there will be other criminal trials.

Friday June 15, 2012 9:32 Brian Wheeler

9:33

tinynotebook:

Jury is in. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark Blumer beginning his closing arguments. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:33 tinynotebook

9:35

tinynotebook:

Blumer tells jury that "the victims in this case are not the type of people you normally associate with ... They are drug dealers." but ... [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:35 tinynotebook

9:35

tinynotebook:

"being a drug dealer is not a capital offense in this country." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:35 tinynotebook

9:41

tinynotebook:

Blumer reads jury text message from Thomas to Mercer "I'm going to shoot up your s--t. I got you b---h. I don't play like that. I got you." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:41 tinynotebook

9:43

tinynotebook:

Blumer dropping lots of F-bombs while reading text message conversation between Mercer and Thomas [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:43 tinynotebook

9:45

tinynotebook:

"If (Mercer) really was afraid, you don't have to buy Mr. Lyons argument that she couldn't go to cops, why, because it happens all the time" [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:45 tinynotebook

9:46

tinynotebook:

"The idea that they are so afraid that they are going to be killed makes no sense at all because all they have to do is turn these guys in." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:46 tinynotebook

9:48

tinynotebook:

Blumer starts his closing by punching holes in what he expects the defense will say, that Mercer, Janish were afraid, acted in self defense [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:48 tinynotebook

9:50

tinynotebook:

Plot to kill Thomas, Hannah started as a joke. Then turned serious. "It changed from ha, ha let's kill them to let's kill them," Blumer says [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:50 tinynotebook

9:53

tinynotebook:

Blumer explains conspiracy to commit murder charge to jury. "Why do we know we have a conspiracy here? Because it went off like clockwork." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:53 tinynotebook

9:54

tinynotebook:

Janish and Mercer took their 2-year-old child trick-or-treating earlier on Halloween, Blumer says. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:54 tinynotebook

9:59

tinynotebook:

Blumer tells the jury that Hannah was shot first while Thomas was with Mercer in the house. Claims Mercer was distracting Thomas [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 9:59 tinynotebook

10:01

tinynotebook:

Blumer dry fires single-shot 12 gauge shotgun in courtroom. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:01 tinynotebook

10:02

tinynotebook:

"He sneaks up on the car, & by his own admission, he took this shotgun ... shoved it in the drivers window and pulled the trigger" - Blumer [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:02 tinynotebook

10:04

tinynotebook:

Blumer calls Janish's killing of Hannah an "execution murder." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:04 tinynotebook

10:07

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Seems to me that Blumer is punching holes in his own arguments; if the two accused really planned for first degree murder, why didn't they have a better way of disposing of the bodies other than to take them out to rural Grass Lake and dump them in a burning car? Just on that basis alone, I wouldn't convict on murder one; Blumer overcharged his case trying to get a plea bargain deal and now he's stuck with it.

Friday June 15, 2012 10:07 Guest

10:08

tinynotebook:

Claims of self-defense hinge on a reasonable, honest fear & realistic threat of bodily harm. Blumer says neither existed in Hannah's killing [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:08 tinynotebook

10:10

tinynotebook:

Was Mr. Hannah a drug dealer? Yes. Was he a threat to Janish, Mercer? "Not a chance," Blumer tells jury. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:10 tinynotebook

10:13

tinynotebook:

Blumer now describing the killing of Thomas. He was in the bedroom with Mercer. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:13 tinynotebook

10:14

tinynotebook:

Blumer calls the killing of Thomas "execution number two." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:14 tinynotebook

10:16

[Comment From Aaron AupperleeAaron Aupperlee: ]

Good point Guest. We'll see what the jury decides. Attorneys in this case have said if they did plan this, it wasn't a very good plan.

Friday June 15, 2012 10:16 Aaron Aupperlee

10:16

tinynotebook:

"The timing of the events, and the motivation of the events, shows you that this was no surprise," Blumer says of the conspiracy. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:16 tinynotebook

10:17

tinynotebook:

He continues, " The idea that they were simply going to scare these terrible, ferocious drug dealers makes no sense at all." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:17 tinynotebook

10:19

tinynotebook:

In the case of Thomas, reloading the gun constitutes premeditation, Blumer said. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:19 tinynotebook

10:21

tinynotebook:

Blumer explaining charges against Janish, Mercer. Conspiracy to commit murder, premeditated first-degree murder, evidence tampering, arson [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:21 tinynotebook

10:22

[Comment From alexalex: ]

to guest comment: you have to remember they are Cocaine addicts, the burning in a car may have worked, if it was not found so quickly and other persons knew they were going to their house, No one is saying their smart

Friday June 15, 2012 10:22 alex

10:23

tinynotebook:

Blumer: "Mr. janish pointed a shotgun at two people and killed them instantly." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:23 tinynotebook

10:23

tinynotebook:

Blumer: "Ms. Mercer, did she really believe that the intent of this whole escapade was to scare these two drug dealers?" [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:23 tinynotebook

10:24

tinynotebook:

Thomas, Hannah were "not pillars of the community," Blumer tells jury. The two were killed over a $150 debt [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:24 tinynotebook

10:26

tinynotebook:

"I ask you to convict these two people of what they did." Blumer ends his closing argument. Raduazo, attorney for Janish to begin [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:26 tinynotebook

10:26

tinynotebook:

courtroom starting to fill up [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:26 tinynotebook

10:29

tinynotebook:

.@wlns is here. Look for video of the closing arguments on our news partner's site later today. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:29 tinynotebook

10:30

tinynotebook:

Any thoughts from readers on Mark Blumer's closing argument. Spent a lot of time punching holes in the defense's self-defense defense [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:30 tinynotebook

10:30

tinynotebook:

Raduazo tells the jury he will be brief [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:30 tinynotebook

10:31

tinynotebook:

Raduazo using a power point, opens with a photo of Janish, Mercer's Page Avenue home in Leoni Township [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:31 tinynotebook

10:32

tinynotebook:

Anthony Raduazo is Richard Janish's attorney. His closing will likely only focus on his client's involvement in case. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:32 tinynotebook

10:34

tinynotebook:

"The real culprit in this situation is the evil of crack cocaine." Raduazo says. "It's a very bad thing. It's a very ugly thing." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:34 tinynotebook

10:35

[Comment From alexalex: ]

I think blumer covered it, it was only one text threat, and it was because they stiffed them, it was not a theat over and over and over, and they went to their house after Janish and Mercer invited them over, that's not being scared!!

Friday June 15, 2012 10:35 alex

10:36

tinynotebook:

Raduazo says Thomas, Hannah were not "warm, cuddly, drug dealers who send out text messages." They made threats, used intimidation [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:36 tinynotebook

10:37

tinynotebook:

Raduazo also showing the jury text messages between Mercer and Thomas. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:37 tinynotebook

10:39

tinynotebook:

Thomas to Mercer: "I will get at you." Mercer to Thomas: "Kk just hit me up in the am! 4sure we have more$." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:39 tinynotebook

10:40

tinynotebook:

"The spelling isn't perfect, and the language is salty," Raduazo says. Adds that English teachers would not be proud of the text messages [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:40 tinynotebook

10:41

tinynotebook:

The language in the text messages alone give this trial an 'R' rating. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:41 tinynotebook

10:43

tinynotebook:

Mercer tells Thomas to stop threatening her. Sends him a text that reads she has kids in the house and "my kids safety comes 1st 2 me" [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:43 tinynotebook

10:45

tinynotebook:

Raduazo going over the concept of reasonable doubt with jurors. Reminds them that Mercer, Janish come into court innocent. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:45 tinynotebook

10:50

tinynotebook:

Raduazo moving onto Jessica Campbell, "the key witness to prove the charge of conspiracy." He questions her credibility. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:50 tinynotebook

10:51

tinynotebook:

"Ladies and gentlemen, those silences were deafening. I suggest to you that her credibility is non-existent..." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:51 tinynotebook

10:52

tinynotebook:

Jessica Campbell's testimony is the only connection Janish to the conspiracy, Raduazo says. Says without Campbell, no conspiracy exists. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:52 tinynotebook

10:55

tinynotebook:

Janish not involved in text messaging conversation. Says Blumer is asking jury to assume evidence that's not there. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:55 tinynotebook

10:56

tinynotebook:

Raduazo not going to dispute there were killings. Is going to dispute that the killings were not premeditated or intended. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:56 tinynotebook

10:56

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

Hoping the jury can differentiate between Mercer & Janish. Barbara doesnt deserve this

Friday June 15, 2012 10:56 Kimberly

10:57

tinynotebook:

Raduazo says that Blumer must prove that Janish DID NOT shoot Hannah out of self-defense [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 10:57 tinynotebook

11:00

tinynotebook:

Raduazo says conversation between Janish and Hannah negates theory that Janish sought to surprise Hannah [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:00 tinynotebook

11:02

[Comment From Aaron AupperleeAaron Aupperlee: ]

Thanks for jumping in Kimberly. The jury will have that option.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:02 Aaron Aupperlee

11:02

[Comment From Srch4trthSrch4trth: ]

One guy was sitting in his car. . the other in a bedroom with the chicka. . . he had to walk outside, sneak up on the guy in the car on his cell phone, re-load the gun (oh wait, he thought it was empty in the first place, only wanted to scare the guys. . yet he had ammo?!?!), walk into the house & shoot the other guy who was in the bedroom. Neither were making any threatening moves towards either of them at the time. . . can't seem to wrap my head around the self-defense theory here. . .

Friday June 15, 2012 11:02 Srch4trth

11:03

tinynotebook:

"These guys didn't show up at their property with a neon sign that say we aren't carrying guns today." Janish thought Hannah had a gun. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:03 tinynotebook

11:05

tinynotebook:

Janish goes inside and grabs another shell because he thinks there might be a threat in the house, Raduazo poses to jury [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:05 tinynotebook

11:07

tinynotebook:

"He reacted on impulse, within seconds, he say something, he acted, he assumed the role of protector and he did what he had to do." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:07 tinynotebook

11:07

tinynotebook:

Raduazo says of Janish's killing of Thomas. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:07 tinynotebook

11:08

tinynotebook:

"Premeditation, really? This record shows, and if it weren't such a serious matter, an almost comical lack of planning," Raduazo says. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:08 tinynotebook

11:09

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

They have the option but Blumer refused to try them seperately. He knows, as well as anyone else, that if he tries them together he has a better chance at sending both away for something only one of them did.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:09 Kimberly

11:09

tinynotebook:

Raduazo says the aftermath of the killing did not go off like clockwork. "If they had thought this through ..." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:09 tinynotebook

11:11

tinynotebook:

No cleaning supplies or gasoline purchased before shooting. Raduazo says, "Looks to me like they are doing it on the fly." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:11 tinynotebook

11:13

tinynotebook:

"The arson and evidence tampering were acts of panic," Raduazo says. "It's evidence this master conspiracy ... was screwed up." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:13 tinynotebook

11:16

tinynotebook:

Raduazo asks for not guilty verdict on conspiracy. "It's beyond belief to believe that a conspiracy could be so incompetently pulled off" [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:16 tinynotebook

11:17

Brian Wheeler:

Here are a few comments from readers.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:17 Brian Wheeler

11:17

[Comment From AmandaAmanda: ]

Thwy are guily in every way possible them guys didn't have nothing for self defense these attorney ofjanish n murcier tryinh to get these cold hearted people out in the world again its not fair if they don't get life behind bar

Friday June 15, 2012 11:17 Amanda

11:17

[Comment From SaraSara: ]

What Janish and Mercer did was wrong. However, I somewhat feel that Mercer initiated this whole ordeal.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:17 Sara

11:17

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

If they were soooo fearful of their drug dealers and "knew" that they were not to be messed with. . .why stiff them of the money in the first place? Give me a break on the whole putting the safety of your children first lady. . . if they were so important to you - you never would have even tried cocaine in the first place & then you wouldn't of had a drug habit that you prostituted yourself out for.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:17 Guest

11:17

[Comment From Jen.Jen.: ]

This was all planned out. You take the bodies to a different location..and burn them..really to cover up what they did!

Friday June 15, 2012 11:17 Jen.

11:17

tinynotebook:

Asks for a not guilty verdict on first-degree murder on Thomas. Raduazo says it was an impulse, an act of passion [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:17 tinynotebook

11:18

tinynotebook:

Again, Raduazo is only arguing for Janish. George Lyons will argue for Mercer next. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:18 tinynotebook

11:18

Brian Wheeler:

And a few more reader comments.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:18 Brian Wheeler

11:18

[Comment From LindseyLindsey: ]

I really hope this jury thinks about every little detail here! Self defense but walked up to a vehicle where the victim is sitting peacefully talking on his phone keeping to himself! Self defense but had to re-load the gun andgo back inside and shoot the other guy! SOunds like a crock of crap with the self defense excuse

Friday June 15, 2012 11:18 Lindsey

11:18

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

The only "evidence" of premeditation is Jessica Campbell's testimony. Testimony that she repeatedly llied about. Testimony that was for her own personal benefit.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:18 Kimberly

11:19

tinynotebook:

"It's a messy case; it's a difficult case. I ask that you take some time with this," Raduazo says to conclude his closing. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:19 tinynotebook

11:20

tinynotebook:

George Lyons up now. Past precedent suggests there could be fireworks during his closing. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:20 tinynotebook

11:21

tinynotebook:

Lyons said the reason why we are here is "piercingly sad." "There are hearts broken that we can't mend." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:21 tinynotebook

11:21

tinynotebook:

"We had to say bad things about these men because they were doing bad things," Lyons says of Thomas, Hannah [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:21 tinynotebook

11:22

tinynotebook:

"This is a case of broken hearts & shattered lives in a community that's tearing and it's all about drugs; it's all about drugs," Lyons says [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:22 tinynotebook

11:24

tinynotebook:

Lyons recalls the testimony of Detective Sgt. Chris Boulter saying Thomas indicated a drive-by with his text message [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:24 tinynotebook

11:24

tinynotebook:

Boulter called Thomas, Hannah, "violent men." "That threat should be taken seriously," Lyons says. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:24 tinynotebook

11:25

tinynotebook:

Any thoughts on Raduazo's closing argument? [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:25 tinynotebook

11:26

tinynotebook:

And the cussing continues ... Lyons dropping f-bombs in the courtroom. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:26 tinynotebook

11:26

Brian Wheeler:

Three more reader comments.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:26 Brian Wheeler

11:26

[Comment From LindseyLindsey: ]

I totally agree with you Jen!! None of this was out of fear! Her kids come first..but one she is on drugs while raising them and two kill two people you owe money to in the house the child lives in and risk your self and possibly not see this child for a long time ....makes no sense to me!

Friday June 15, 2012 11:26 Lindsey

11:26

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

many broken hearts/families. While we cant bring them back we can stop the addition of more victims to this tradgedy.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:26 Kimberly

11:26

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

I've known and loved this girl since the day she was born. She's a scared little girl---that's all

Friday June 15, 2012 11:26 Kimberly

11:27

tinynotebook:

Reading from jury instructions, Lyons tells the jury they can consider the violent history of Thomas, Hannah when considering charges. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:27 tinynotebook

11:28

tinynotebook:

"The threat was real. The danger was eminent," Lyons says. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:28 tinynotebook

11:28

tinynotebook:

"Jessica Campbell told more lies than a politician," Lyons says to discredit prosecution's key witness. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:28 tinynotebook

11:29

[Comment From elleelle: ]

why all the f-bombs? are they reading something that thas that language? or do they really thinks it's a point maker to act like uneducated idiots?

Friday June 15, 2012 11:29 elle

11:31

tinynotebook:

Colorful language by Lyons just then. If you're not here, you missed it. Can't repeat most of that. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:31 tinynotebook

11:32

tinynotebook:

"Question, would you buy a used car from Jessica?" George Lyons being George Lyons. Always a theatrical presentation [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:32 tinynotebook

11:32

[Comment From Aaron AupperleeAaron Aupperlee: ]

elle, they are recounting a text message conversation between Mercer and Thomas

Friday June 15, 2012 11:32 Aaron Aupperlee

11:33

tinynotebook:

George Lyons pointing to Jessica Campbell, who is in court, sitting right behind me. She has audibly disagreed with Lyons during his closing [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:33 tinynotebook

11:36

tinynotebook:

"If she was charged with conspiracy to scare, I would concede to that," Lyons says. "You have to conspire to do something exactly." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:36 tinynotebook

11:40

tinynotebook:

Lyons quotes Shakespeare. Julius Caesar. "O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:40 tinynotebook

11:41

tinynotebook:

Lyons asks jury for not guilties on conspiracy and first-degree murder [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:41 tinynotebook

11:42

tinynotebook:

Lyons boils down reasonable doubt to: Is there another explanation to what happened? [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:42 tinynotebook

11:43

[Comment From LindseyLindsey: ]

Lyon's tends to get a little out of control with his quotes, not just in this case but others too...just sayin

Friday June 15, 2012 11:43 Lindsey

11:43

tinynotebook:

"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck." Not sure where Lyons was going with that one. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:43 tinynotebook

11:44

tinynotebook:

Blumer cannot establish an agreement between Janish and Mercer to commit murder [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:44 tinynotebook

11:45

tinynotebook:

"We have a tragedy. We have a Shakespearean tragedy." Third Shakespeare reference during closings. Blumer dropped one too [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:45 tinynotebook

11:45

tinynotebook:

"At the end of the day, I hope you find ... you find that my client is not guilty," Lyons says pointing to Mercer [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:45 tinynotebook

11:47

tinynotebook:

Blumer quoted Macbeth "full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing." He left off the front of the sentence, "It is a tale. Told by an idiot." [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:47 tinynotebook

11:48

tinynotebook:

"In essence, the people have failed to meet the burden of proof," Lyons says. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:48 tinynotebook

11:49

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

Ha! the front of the sentence makes more sense!

Friday June 15, 2012 11:49 Kimberly

11:49

[Comment From EmpyreanEmpyrean: ]

Yeah, yeah. We know. Puck in Midsummer's Night Dream. Act 1, scene 1.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:49 Empyrean

11:50

tinynotebook:

"Barbara Mercer will be forever impacted by what you do today. Obey the court. Obey the law. Send her home to her baby. Find her not guilty" [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:50 tinynotebook

11:50

tinynotebook:

Lyons closing is over. Blumer is up offering a rebuttal. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:50 tinynotebook

11:51

tinynotebook:

Blumer starts with the joke about the kid who kills both parents and then pleads for mercy because the child is an orphan. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:51 tinynotebook

11:54

tinynotebook:

"Defendants can't have it both ways," Blumer says. Can't say Thomas, Mercer were terrifying men with violent reps but only wanted to scare [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:54 tinynotebook

11:54

tinynotebook:

"It was an execution." Blumer said. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:54 tinynotebook

11:55

tinynotebook:

Any reaction to Lyons' closing statement? [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:55 tinynotebook

11:56

Brian Wheeler:

Here are a few reader comments we were holding onto while Aaron tweeted.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:56 Brian Wheeler

11:56

[Comment From LindseyLindsey: ]

Barbara wasn't thinking about her baby when she premeditated and came up with a way to reel the guys in and have help killing them....she doesn't deserve to get away with this!! GUILTY ..both of them

Friday June 15, 2012 11:56 Lindsey

11:56

[Comment From SaraSara: ]

She may have not pulled the trigger but she is NOT innocent

Friday June 15, 2012 11:56 Sara

11:56

[Comment From EmpyreanEmpyrean: ]

So, bottom line, the only direct evidence of murder one and conspiracy is the testimony of the Campbell woman; that seems like a pretty thin reed on which to send two people to prison for the rest of their lives with no possibility of eventual parole to me.

Friday June 15, 2012 11:56 Empyrean

11:56

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

why does it matter if they are "drug dealers" they are people and didnt deserve to die over a $150

Friday June 15, 2012 11:56 Guest

11:57

[Comment From srch4trthsrch4trth: ]

Yea. . .send the crack-head home to raise her child. . That's smart!! (sarcasm). ANother point. . .IF they were so afraid of their drug dealers, why did they invite them to come to the house and have their 'friend' take the child to another location for a period of time?

Friday June 15, 2012 11:57 srch4trth

11:58

tinynotebook:

"If you believe that it is a conspiracy to scare," Blumer says, then let them go home. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:58 tinynotebook

11:59

tinynotebook:

Lyons objected to part of Blumer's rebuttal. They have approached Judge Wilson's bench. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:59 tinynotebook

11:59

tinynotebook:

@awatterson we strive to engage. thanks for following [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 11:59 tinynotebook

12:00

[Comment From LindseyLindsey: ]

Reaction to his closing statement... thank gosh its over!!! Quotes were getting ridiculous LOL

Friday June 15, 2012 12:00 Lindsey

12:01

[Comment From opinion1opinion1: ]

Kimberly, you say that Mercer had nothing to do with this, this is not True, Her actions Directly attributed to their Deaths, Janis disliked her using Cocaine, so it's Mercer's Cocaine habit that started this whole thing!

Friday June 15, 2012 12:01 opinion1

12:01

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

The simple fact is it was a series of events that went horribly wrong.

Friday June 15, 2012 12:01 Kimberly

12:03

tinynotebook:

Caution sign just popped up next to my battery indicator. Hopefully Blumer wraps this up soon. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:03 tinynotebook

12:04

tinynotebook:

Shotgun vs. cellphone ... "That's the self-defense." Blumer says. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:04 tinynotebook

12:05

tinynotebook:

If Mercer is part of the conspiracy, she is guilty, whether she touched the gun or not. Or guilty by "aiding and abetting," Blumer says [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:05 tinynotebook

12:06

tinynotebook:

Phone call, distraction = aiding and abetting, Blumer says [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:06 tinynotebook

12:07

tinynotebook:

Lyons objects that Blumer is misrepresenting aiding and abetting in connection to the conspiracy charge. That's way over my pay grade [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:07 tinynotebook

12:08

tinynotebook:

Two ways to convict Mercer. 1) Conspiracy. 2) Aiding and abetting Blumer says [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:08 tinynotebook

12:08

tinynotebook:

"Mr Janish is guilty of both murders because he is the murder," Blumer says. [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:08 tinynotebook

12:10

tinynotebook:

Caution sign has now changed to a blinking red dot with an X through it. 13 minutes of battery left. Blumer better finish up [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:10 tinynotebook

12:13

tinynotebook:

Blumer broke arguments of the defense into 1/3s. 1) Sympathy for the defendants 2) Attack the victims 3) Attack Jessica Campbell [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:13 tinynotebook

12:13

[Comment From EmpyreanEmpyrean: ]

Well, I'm glad it's wrapping up for the time being; at least now I can give my full attention to listening to Russ Limbo and working on my new episode treatment for my favorite tv crime show.

Friday June 15, 2012 12:13 Empyrean

12:14

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Its hard to have a good defense in such a horrible situation

Friday June 15, 2012 12:14 Guest

12:14

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

I never said Barb was innocent. I said it was a horrible string of events that cannot be changed. Do we need to add more victims?

Friday June 15, 2012 12:14 Kimberly

12:14

tinynotebook:

"Campbell did not perform well on cross-examination" Blumer says. Made inconsistent statements but has crack addiction, was confused, scared [via Twitter]

Friday June 15, 2012 12:14 tinynotebook

12:17

[Comment From KimberlyKimberly: ]

go plug in your laptop! we cant lose you now!

Friday June 15, 2012 12:17 Kimberly

12:17

Brian Wheeler:

Aaron assured me via text that his iPhone is Plan B when the computer dies!

Friday June 15, 2012 12:17 Brian Wheeler

12:18

tinynotebook:

Blumer says there are important aspects of Campbell's testimony that have gone unchallenged, one being that there was an agreement [via Twitter]