[Peace-discuss] brief notes on Patrick Thompson case this morning

[Stuart Levy]

Session to resume at 1:30 with closing defense statements.

This morning opened with review (among Judge and attorneys) of
instructions to be presented to the jury, after which the jury was
admitted.

Jury heard rebuttal.   Prosecutor Vujovich
called two witnesses, a woman who'd lived in the same apt. where
the accuser had earlier lived (to testify about how soundproof
the apt. walls were), and the accuser herself (to testify about
parties she'd held, lack of noise complaints about those parties,
lack of contact with PT).  Accuser often didn't recall much,
and didn't look happy to be there.

Sur-rebuttal: the property manager of the apt. block described
how noise complaints are not at all uncommon.

A motion to dismiss the sexual assault charge, on the bases that it
was subsumed by the (dismissed) home invasion charge and
that the accuser's statements were so inconsistent as to be incredible,
was denied.

Vujovich asked for 35+10 minutes' closing statements and used a good
deal more, to Judge Clem's annoyance.  So Kirchner&Wyman will provide
closing defense statements after lunch (starting 1:30).  Judge is allowing
defense a full hour's closing statements if they wish, followed by 10 mins
rebuttal from the apologetic V. and finally another 10 from K.   

Then the judge will explain the legal framework to the jury, and they'll
go off to consider Patrick's fate!

Other notes:

  - As others have noted, every single member of the jury
    seems to be carrying notepads.  This is very different from
    at Chesley's trial where I didn't see anyone taking notes.