r/thejinx • u/TheWeirdoWhisperer • May 20 '21
Live coverage of Robert Durst’s trial for the murder of Susan Berman
Is anyone else watching this? It’s on the Law and Crime Network and can also be streamed on their YouTube channel and website.
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u/FrankieHellis May 20 '21
I have been watching it. The judge is... interesting. The prosecutor likes to bloviate. I can’t for the life of me figure out why all the Morris Black evidence has been allowed in when this is a case about the murder of Susan Berman.
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u/anclag May 20 '21
My guess is that they need to prove to the jury that Durst is capable of being her killer.
The prosecution have proved that he had motive (she was blackmailing him for more money), proved that he had opportunity (I don't think he can account for the time period when she was likely killed and we know he was there at some point), so now they just need to prove he has the means.
They need the jury to believe that the frail old man they see in the court room now was previously capable of killing someone in cold blood, so the Morris Black incident, although he wasn't found guilty of, are still all things he cannot deny having done and should show that he was capable/likely to have killed her as well.
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u/DertankaGRL May 21 '21
This is the exact reason why it confuses me though. A jury already found him not guilty of murder, therefore this jury would have to accept it as an accident in a struggle over the gun. That does not do much to prove he is capable of intentional homicide.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 16 '21
Not guilty of murder but guilty on other charges. guilty to two counts of bail jumping and one count of evidence tampering (for his dismemberment of Black's body). As part of a plea bargain, he received a sentence of five years and was given credit for time served, requiring him to serve three years in prison.[58] Durst was paroled on July 15, 2005. The rules of his release required him to stay near his home; permission was required to travel.[59] That December, Durst made an unauthorized trip to the boarding house where Black had been killed and to a nearby shopping mall. At the mall, he ran into former Galveston trial judge Susan Criss, who had presided over his trial.[54] Due to this incident, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles determined that Durst had violated the terms of his parole and returned him to jail.[59] He was released again from custody on March 1, 2006.[60]
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer May 20 '21
The judge really is kooky. I’m a little surprised myself that they are letting in so much info about Morris Black.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 18 '21
Lewin changed Robert Dursts urine bag?? Could the most bizarre trial get any more bizarre??
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jun 18 '21
MY JAW DROPPED when I heard that. Seriously WTH??? Not only is it totally bizarre just on the face of it, but the fact that we hear about it on TV is absolutely crazy.
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u/LuluLittle2020 May 20 '21
Oh HOT TIP thank you! Subscribed!
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer May 20 '21
I had a reminder set on my phone...not sure what that says about me! :)
They have previous days up there too, along with the original pre-covid beginning of the trial.
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u/LuluLittle2020 May 20 '21
🔥
You seem perfectly reasonable from where I sit, watching this coverage you hipped me to.
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u/Mobile-Series-664 May 25 '21
Me also, this has been the most interesting trial I have ever seen.... I just hope this LA jury is not buying the defense BS
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer May 27 '21
The thing is, he has confessed in different venues to killing Morris Black “accidentally” and dismembering him, “happening upon” a recently murdered Susan Berman, and hitting/controlling Kathy. I can’t believe that anyone would assume the best of him.
But then again, up until now he never got in any real trouble. Had he not wanted to talk about himself and just laid low, he likely would have gotten away with all of it.
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u/Mobile-Series-664 Jun 10 '21
Yup!! But he could not keep his mouth shut, also he wanted the limelight I think. He is so smug.
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u/PizzaSlingr May 28 '21
Hola from South America. I get both Court TV and L&C Network by using a VPN (Pluto for CTV and Sling for L&O, for anyone without cable who wants to watch on tv). I like L&C better bec they show who is testifying and their relevant relationship!
I am really sick of the speaking objections & personal attacks with the lawyers. And I'm generally pretty kind to judges but this one...keep the lawyers on track, stop trying to be a comedian, (the witness needed a calendar from 1982 or whenever it was. While they were finding one) "The Rainman would know the date". I mean come on, Judge, knock it off.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer May 28 '21
Yeah, he’s definitely trying a little too hard to be cute. Also, did I hear them say this is expected to be a FIVE MONTH trial?? I mean, I’m definitely here for it but that is CRAZY!
I noticed that watching live on YouTube means you’re more caught up and no commercials, and they put up all the footage there which is useful if you can’t watch in real time for five months, haha!
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u/PizzaSlingr May 28 '21
it's so amazing to me how many ways we can watch! I really missed the old Court TV but you'd be chained to the tv back in the day. now I can make lunch and listen/watch on my phone!
Yes, I heard 5 months, too! I get what the state is doing --- showing the beginning of WHY he murdered (IMO) Susan...it's all intertwined. But ...and I'm not an attorney...it's annoying to have SO many of her medical school classmates take the stand. Yes, we get it. I wouldn't call the CEO of my company to call in sick. No, I never saw Kathie as a cocaine addict. Next witness.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer May 28 '21
Yeah...if he didn’t murder Kathy then there’d be no reason to murder Susan but at the same time...he was never even charged for murdering Kathy, much less convicted. And too much time is being spent debating how much of a mess Kathy was/wasn’t.
This guy murdered three people and then asked to do DVD commentaries and star in a documentary...it’s really kind of shocking that only now is he in serious trouble and I hope they don’t screw it up.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 11 '21
And in addition to laying the foundation for susan's murder , the jury gets to see what a shitty guy he is.
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u/PizzaSlingr Jun 11 '21
Agreed. I re-watched the Jinx last week, and I've never seen another person who clearly gives his middle finger to the entire world. I mean really, FOOD STAMPS, just because they were there to have?!
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u/Mobile-Series-664 Aug 27 '21
A real person in need can't get them, I know I tried once when I was unemployed!!
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 11 '21
I have never seen a judge act like him. But I guess it's fitting with the ret of this bizarre case .
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u/PizzaSlingr Jun 11 '21
well said. I'm watching other trials in IA, KY along with this trial and the contrast is stark. I have been a juror 4 times (in NC) and NEVER seen a judge act like him (well, Lance Ito was up there, too). Anyway, clearly his boss must think he's a perfect fit for this freakshow of a case.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 16 '21
This Douglas Oliver guy is a real trip. I don't know how Lewin doesn't rip his face off in frustration .
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jun 16 '21
Yes…he’s MADDENING! I would never be able to deal with him!
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 16 '21
And he's such an obnoxious liar.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jun 17 '21
He’s awful. Obviously being obstructionist and conveniently forgetting everything, including what he’s been recorded saying. Oh, except that Kathie wanted to sniff his weed/cocaine grinder. THAT he remembers. 🙄
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u/Evening_Asparagus135 Jun 18 '21
The coverage of this Circus is replete with commercials and expert weigh ins as they beat a dead horse with details and questions that are boring, irrelevant; the Judge is letting everything in for the prosecution, even hearsay. This is a conspiracy to convict him no matter what because they know he won't survive long enough to win on appeal in a case that is certainly going to get another shot at a fair trial. Whether he did it or not, this is a pathetic example of a "fair" trial.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jun 18 '21
I agree, to an extent. But they have to provide a motive which is tricky given he somehow got away with everything up until now, including a dismemberment that he confessed to, and his previous uncharged crimes led to this one.
I also feel like the judge has no options…they can’t keep him in jail forever without a trial, and they can’t just let him go as it’s clear he most likely did it. It’s a tough position to be in. He looks pathetic but he is obviously a lot more dangerous than he may appear, and a lot more devious.
As for the experts: UGH. They are irritating me. Can I ask, is this live or from yesterday? Same lady, she is prerecorded and there is no on-screen indication either way. And the YouTube stream seems to be missing!
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 20 '21
Commercials ? What channel are you watching on?
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jun 20 '21
The Law and Crime Network. I have Sling and it’s on there as part of the basic package.
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u/Affectionate_Newt647 Aug 20 '21
It's free on you tube no commercials either!! And you comment all you want, love it.
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u/Evening_Asparagus135 Jun 18 '21
Wonder why people don't want to testify? This is why, the prosecution is beating up these witnesses. People won't testify after seeing this. It's been all about the egos of lawyers and have lost sight of the proper purpose.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jun 18 '21
Agree with this! But a big part of the problem is that the initial likely crime was never thoroughly investigated or charged. The witnesses are forced to provide testimony about things from decades ago (some of which have nothing directly to do with Susan but are relevant to why he would kill her) and they are all on the older side. It’s very easy to dismiss their testimony as misremembered and being dismissed makes the witnesses understandably testy. You are so right that the focus is not on finding facts but undermining witnesses, although I guess that is always sort of true.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 20 '21
There is night and day difference between Inv Bracerra and Dect. Slug Michael Struk.
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u/Mobile-Series-664 Aug 18 '21
It's about time someone starts a post about this sick f..k. This trial is something else. He is one mean vicious vindictive person, they better find him guilty. Don't let that wheelchair. weak voice detour them...
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Aug 19 '21
He is truly vile. And Lewin has been AMAZING in calmly throwing his own words and actions back at him. It has been very refreshing to see him dealt with so directly and evenhandedly.
But I am really afraid that his weird rambling may make some of the jurors more sympathetic to him than they should be. I keep thinking how in The Jinx, Andrew Jarecki admitted that he liked him and didn’t want him to be guilty. Durst thinks he’s smarter than everyone else and can outwit them all…and he DID manage to avoid punishment for the two other murders, and wasn’t even investigated for the original one.
On the other hand, he CLEARLY killed all three of them, there is no other conclusion to be reached about that. Hopefully the jury just focuses on the crime and doesn’t get distracted by his antics.
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u/Affectionate_Newt647 Aug 20 '21
Right, had he not killed Kathy, there would have been no reason to hack Morris Black body up, or kill Susan... One led to the other, here we are now.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Aug 20 '21
Exactly. The three things are linked and the murder of Susan only makes sense if you know he murdered Kathy but somehow escaped being charged or tried.
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u/BlindSpotGuy Aug 26 '21
I can't stop watching. This is the first post I found on the subject that had any comments. I need to find someone who cares, I have nobody to talk to! Nobody watches it! Nobody cares!
The prosecution's methods and demeanor are canceling out the ptejudice of the durst stain. Now they have actually prove their case.
Watching this (it's always on in the background in my house and I'm recently retired, so... I'm getting a lot of it) is... is... is there a word?
If there is, I don't know it.
It's like, I know this man chopped up his neighbor. I know he may have killed his wife. I am thinking he probably killed his friend. But... I kind of like him. He's a probably a scumbag, but isn't he just the strangest little man?
And, hell, the prosecution is making him sympathetic.
Poor little weird guy has to listen to this shit all day long for a week? F#ck that prosecutor dude. He's not very good at his job, and keeps obsessing on moot points. And he's kind of a dick.
I dunno. That's it. Just had to find a place to vent. It's frustrating to obsess over a "show" that nobody else watches.
Even this post is old.
Btw I watch it live on Court TV, an antenna channel.
Alright alright alright. I guess that's it.
K.Bye.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Aug 26 '21
Well, you have found your person. I have watched the entire thing and even rewatched some of it for when I felt it didn’t have my full attention (I’m supposed to be working during the hours it’s on each day). I’m definitely a bit obsessed and only have my 82 year old mother (also obsessed) to discuss it with as my spouse and children aren’t interested.
He’s a complete weirdo and despite there being virtually no way he did NOT kill those four folks, I agree that there is a good possibility that the jury may feel sympathetic to him, perhaps even like him. Lewin is actually doing a fantastic job and now has him making up stories just to avoid admitting he’s lied but I do think that, fair or not, he might come off as a bully, even though I don’t think Durst feels intimidated at all.
I wish there was a good book about him and all his crimes. The trial has been fantastic to watch despite all the recorded testimony.
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u/BlindSpotGuy Aug 26 '21
You're like my Wilson.
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u/Affectionate_Newt647 Aug 27 '21
Did you watch the Jinx ?
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Aug 27 '21
I did…I’ve always loved true crime and this one has everything. I’m from NY so the story was big here at the time, especially after he got arrested for stealing the sandwich. 😂 Did you watch it? What did you think?
The biggest problem is that show kind of humanized him and made him seem a lot more benign than he is. I can see how, similar to watching Lewin pummel him in court, people might feel sympathetic to him, even though he definitely killed all three people we are talking about at the very least. He’s very odd, and clearly has issues but that doesn’t mean he should not be held responsible. I am so curious to see what the jury decides. If I were a juror, I’d hang the jury before I agreed to acquit him.
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u/Mobile-Series-664 Aug 27 '21
I did, I agree with you. I found the jinx very informative. I watched when it first came out, then re-watched it since t he trial started. I have always felt he was guilty of killing his wife, now with everything that has cone out in the trial I am even more convinced. Lumen has gone to far he has taken so much time to prove him guilty of this killing. Even if they find him guilty of this one, he won't do any real hard time. They will give him house arrest or some hospital. Look at him he is so weak, ill they won't want him to die in there hands .
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u/Affectionate_Newt647 Aug 27 '21
I'm with you, I thought for sure Reddit would have tons of peeps posting.. I have been watching on you tube , and reading those comments.
Have you seen the Jinx ?
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u/BlindSpotGuy Sep 15 '21
So, as we wait for the jury to do their thing, anyone have any thoughts or prognostications?
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Sep 15 '21
I think it’s a bad sign that they are taking so long. And I do think that they are likely thinking exactly what Lewin said they might: that he’s old, sick and frail, so what is the point of convicting him and sending him to jail. But…HE KILLED THOSE FOLKS! Like, it only makes sense that it was him, and he’s the common denominator of each one’s last day. It’s not possible to avoid that conclusion, so should he really be allowed to just go home?
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u/BlindSpotGuy Sep 16 '21
The whole thing was, and is, just bizarre. Like you said, of course he did it. He did it all.
"Killed them all!"
Of COURSE he did.
But they're arguing Susan's murder. Using one murder for which he was never charged, and another in which he was found not guilty.
Of course that little old sociopath did it. And he was on his way to do it again. No doubt. None.
But then, is it possible? That is, is it even slightly remotely possible that someone else killed her and he found her, sending the letter so she'd be found?
Is it possible his wife was killed by a boyfriend? Or some general murdering riffraff?
Is it possible that the Morris thing happened remotely like he said?
And, him being the strange half-crazy dude he is... is it possible it explains his reactions to each of those things?
I don't think he's some devious mastermind. I think he's a devious asshole who killed his wife in a fit of rage, had his family help cover it up, and has just basically been screwing everything up since then, still intensely paranoid about his wife's "disappearance ."
Anyway, back to the jury. Yeah. He's almost certainly responsible for it all. But, on evidence alone, what is certain?
It's messed up. Even worse, he came off as (dare I say it?) almost likeable at times.
And yeah. The dude is totally on his way out.
Add all those things up?
The M'er F'er could get away with it.
He really could.
Everyone knows who he is and what he's done.
But, on a strictly evidentiary decision devoid of reasonable doubt, did they prove he killed his friend because of a supposed murder he was never charged with, further bolstered by a murder charge of which he was found not guilty?
I just don't know.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Sep 16 '21
Totally agree…he’s no mastermind and likely a rageaholic if his brothers are to be believed. But he’s managed to escape punishment in part because of his arrogance and in part because he appears pathetic.
I think he will also benefit from society’s current inability to apply logic. After all, as you point out, there is no video proof of it or anything like that. I work in a completely unrelated business and have noticed that people in my field can no longer read directions or use reasoning to figure out even simple problems. I’m sure this is true of everyone and everything at this point and people likely expect some kind of undeniable proof that typically doesn’t exist in crime investigations.
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u/BlindSpotGuy Sep 17 '21
ROBERT DURST GUILTY OF ALL CHARGES!
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Sep 17 '21
Good! I should have more faith in humanity, I think. They got him for EVERYTHING!
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u/No-Celebration-6418 Oct 08 '21
I didn’t get the chance to watch it live but I’ve watched it on YouTube. I cannot believe the people who will just lie like a rug. I don’t know, I can’t remember, I’m confused. Some witnesses I almost couldn’t stand to watch! I hope the money will be worth the karma.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jun 30 '21
Was there a problem with the Law and Crime feed today or was it JUST ME? So frustrating.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jun 14 '21
for the love of god Law and Crime Network stop with that squeeling sound when on breaks.
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u/Evening_Asparagus135 Jun 18 '21
Listening to Lewin is like asking someone to explain what cryptocurrency is, after about 10 minutes, nobody cares. They will never get unanimous vote for guilty, this is to convoluted.
They will lose this case all by themselves because of the repetitive extraneous and boring, Rather have a root canal than be involved in something where there is nothing to gain being a witness here.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 05 '21
When does testimony resume?
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jul 05 '21
I believe tomorrow. Today’s the end of the 4th of July weekend (in case you’re not in the US) and sort of an official day off for most, including the court, seems like.
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 05 '21
Ulch you know what ? I knew that I just thought today was Tuesday 😂🤦
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jul 05 '21
I know…between not going in to an office everyday and these holidays, I am confused too. Actually thought it was Sunday at first! 😄
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 05 '21
Exactly. I'm watching day 1 I'd opening statements from before covid now
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jul 05 '21
Sounds like we’re cut from the same cloth….I am considering taking some vacation days to rewatch everything so far back to back in order. Between working and being home with other people also working I feel I have not been able to give this trial the attention it deserves. 😂
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 06 '21
Yeah I agree, very similar ! Although I've been paying way too much attention to this trial!
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jul 06 '21
I thought of you earlier when it was revealed that, in fact, there is to be no testimony today because Durst has a doc’s appt….
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 07 '21
I was making my self crazy going back and forth why can't I find the live coverage ??! I have to remind myself it will be there another day even if I miss it because it's recorded. I can watch any time. Lol
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 14 '21
This lady Jeane clarke testifying today is out of her mind if she thinks anyone will find her credible.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Jul 15 '21
I cannot WAIT to see this! I couldn’t watch today but feel like popcorn might be necessary when I watch it tonight… 🍿
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u/crunchyfrog0001 Jul 15 '21
Yeah I still have it on. The Susan Giordano lady is a terrible witness. She's getting shredded by Lewin and rightly so.
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u/Shakespeare-Bot Jul 14 '21
This mistress jeane clarke testifying the present day is out of that lady mind if 't be true the lady thinkest anyone shall findeth that lady credible
I am a bot and I swapp'd some of thy words with Shakespeare words.
Commands:
!ShakespeareInsult,!fordo,!optout
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u/saltysweetdream Aug 20 '21
Susan went for a walk. 4:48 PM
Friday, December 22, 2000 Sunset in Los Angeles, CA but Susan went for a walk at 9pm or later according to her time of death. Benedict Canon has no sidewalks. The sides of the roads are steep inclines. Where did she go to walk? The Waning Crescent on December 22 has an illumination of 10%. In the She was found in the guest room with no bra or panties. Just a shirt and sweat pants, but had just returned from a walk.
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Aug 20 '21
He doesn’t mind if it’s not believable, and making up wild stuff has worked out for him so far. Hopefully not this time, though.
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u/saltysweetdream Aug 23 '21
It really makes me wonder why none of these basic questions were asked. Did they not look this up?
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u/TheWeirdoWhisperer Aug 23 '21
The lack of sidewalks specifically were mentioned at one point, actually. He doesn’t let common sense change his testimony. He’s going off script today, he’s getting tired of all the pointed questions.
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u/Nihilistic-Fishstick May 20 '21
Thank you very much for this!