Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan C. Lawhon
Some folks have expressed the view on here that this jury is full of "morons" and Joe Paterno worshippers who will not vote to convict Jerry Sandusky.
some have said this, sure, but imo the real concern is that it only takes one. and there's definitely a non-zero chance that there's at least one.
a hypothetical that just occurred to me: what do you guys think would have happened if paterno had testified? if you think he would have substantially swayed the jury one way or another, I think you have to acknowledge that his ghost still might.
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Originally Posted by Riverman
But you don't need her to win. It's like leaving your star player in up 30 at the end of the game.
(drose will be back, dammit)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Riverman
Because the risk is huge. If you alienate one idiot juror, it blows your whole case.
maybe it's just the conspiracy theorist in me, but the lone wolf, single-principled person, etc factor is definitely in play in pedo valley.
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Originally Posted by aura
What if, after some very effective questioning from the prosecution, she breaks down? Think of all of the damning and detailed insight she could reveal. This is not at all unreasonable to expect from someone who has had to hide horrific memories for years and years. Maybe in a way she wants to get all of it out. Think of how much this must have tortured her on so many levels. Even one who compartmentalizes and "refuses to believe" what happened surely has moments where they wish they could be free of it. With the right questions (not attacks, but probing and even sensitive), she could blow the thing wide open and doubts about his guilt would be eliminated.
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Originally Posted by Nootka
and you've never had to cross a sympathetic witness? c'mon man!
this forum skews under 30 (ldo) and I think that's coloring the debate a bit. can you really pick apart a grandmotherly witness who some will see as a victim as well? it's real tough to predict how people will empathize (or not) with the situation she's in. I'm not sure that wearing down dottie tv-police-interrogation style will play well with all 12 jurors.
ofc you guys would know better than I, maybe it is possible. but leaving the jury with that as its almost-final impression, especially if you're not very successful, is a big risk.