Aaron Hernandez 2nd Murder Trial - Kooky Witness

[Dumb All Over]

I've been watching recordings of the current Aaron Hernandez double homicide trial, trying to get myself caught up. I am currently watching testimony from three days ago. In this video, a street sweeper for the city of Boston is being questioned. The jury is not present.

The witness is obviously hostile. He is extremely fidgety and mumbles during much of his testimony. He acts almost as if he is on drugs (I'm not saying he is on drugs). If I was one of the prosecuting attorneys, I would be flummoxed as to how I might handle this witness in the presence of the jury, or if I would call him before the jury at all.

Specifically, how should the prosecutors handle this witness? Should he be put on the stand in front of the jury? Any thoughts? What would you do? In general, how should attorneys handle hostile witnesses?

 

[dudalb]

So much for "The Patriot Way".

 

[Stellafane]

So much for "The Patriot Way".

Yeah, because the Patriots should have been able to tell the future and know he was going to start murdering people. Shucks, since it's so easy I'm surprised anyone ever murders anybody -- just gaze into the crystal ball and stop them!

And before tossing out that overworn meme "But they knew he was a former gangbanger in college!" so beloved of haters, take a look at any NFL team (or pretty much any professional sports team anywhere) and try to find a single roster that doesn't have a shady past or ten among its players.

(I guess now that the so-called "gates" have been so completely and utterly debunked, all the haters have left to throw anymore is Hernandez. I'm sure he'll be great consolation as they endure another Patriot playoff run this year...and next...and next...)

 

[DGM]

I don't think the prosecutors really need to worry about handling this witness. The defense calling him, I believe would only bolster their case in the eyes of the jury in the same way Shayanna Jenkins did in his first trial. The consensus after the case was she simply wasn't believable, I think they will view him the same way.

 

[Dumb All Over]

I don't think the prosecutors really need to worry about handling this witness. The defense calling him, I believe would only bolster their case in the eyes of the jury in the same way Shayanna Jenkins did in his first trial. The consensus after the case was she simply wasn't believable, I think they will view him the same way.

I realize the scope of this thread is narrow, perhaps too narrow. If people want to talk about more than just this witness, please feel free. Let's open it up to include the rest of the trial, no problem. That being said, it would be nice to steer away from football and the Patriots, if possible, and focus more on the evilness and trial of this serial killer.

I've watched many high-profile murder cases and can't remember a witness quite like the one linked in the OP. I was intrigued. He has a real problem with authority figures. He feels disrespected by the police, the prosecutors, the judge, and other court officials. He seems really put out by having to appear and offer testimony. His body language and fidgetiness also clearly demonstrate his hostility. He did seem much more receptive to Jose Baez. I was curious how others perceived his court demeanor and how it might impact a jury, thus this thread.

Also, this guy has one of the thickest Boston accents I've ever heard. At times, he is really tough to understand. If you want a lesson in northeast coastal dialects, this guy is your man.

DGM, I expect Baez will let this guy rail on in front of the jury. It sounds like your take on it is the jury won't believe him and therefore the prosecutor won't need to do much to impeach his accusations of police harassment.

 

[Dumb All Over]

It is looking more and more like the kooky witness will take the stand in front of the jury after all. Currently, one of the main detectives is on the stand and is being cross-examined by Baez. Baez is asking him about the kooky witness. The detective will be one of the final witnesses for the prosecution. I feel the prosecution is close to resting. My guess is the kooky guy will be one of the first witnesses called by the defense. We might hear from the kooky guy as early as this afternoon.

As it turns out, there have been many "kooky" witnesses in this trial. The guys travelling in the car with Hernandez and Bradley when Bradley was shot in the face by Hernandez in Florida are real gems. They were granted immunity for their truthful testimony, but their testimony was anything but forthright and truthful, in my opinion. And then there is Shayanna Jenkins who was, much like her performance in the Odin Lloyd trial, less than forthright in this trial.

There is little doubt in my mind that Hernandez is guilty of killing the two gentlemen in Boston. However, this is a tougher case than the Odin Lloyd case and I believe the chances of convicting Hernandez in this current case stand at 50/50.

 

[snoop_doxie]

Dumb All Over,

I am very interested in high profile murder cases too.
Do you have any suggestions about what to read or watch about Hernandez and
his trial?

I seem to remember a documentary I watched, but it is a distant memory now.

Thank you.

 

[snoop_doxie]

After watching just a few minutes of the Boston streetsweeper, I want some drugs.
Something calming, like xanax.

 

[Dumb All Over]

snoop_doxie, other than the trial itself, I don't recall much worth watching. The first trial where he was found guilty of killing Odin Lloyd was very, very interesting. Even though the evidence was by and large circumstantial, it was strong and convincing enough to convict him. It also opened the door to try him for the double homicide in the current trial.

If you have lots of extra time then I would suggest watching the first trial. It is long, though. The fun bits are the video evidence and the testimony of his fiancée, Shayanna.

 

[snoop_doxie]

Thank you, I will check them out. Lots of trial testimony when I looked up the you tube on the street sweeper.

 

[Dumb All Over]

Kooky street sweeper guy just took the stand, called by the defense...

ETA - Well, that was quite a different performance than what we saw in the video from the OP. Just goes to show how important witness prep can be. McMaster cleaned up his act. He sported a new haircut and was not as outwardly hostile this time around. This time he was only slightly kooky.

 

[Dumb All Over]

Aaron Hernandez did it. He really did.

But yesterday, the jury found him not guilty of the double homicide.

Nevertheless, he will remain in prison for the rest of his life for murdering Odin Lloyd.

 

[Dumb All Over]

Nevertheless, he will remain in prison for the rest of his life for murdering Odin Lloyd.

I may have spoken too soon. Jose Baez seems to think Aaron Hernandez can win an appeal of the original conviction. Mr. Baez sounds like he is up to the challenge if hired by Hernandez.

Story here.

 

[William Parcher]

CNN reports that Hernandez has committed suicide in prison.

 

[Whip]

CNN reports that Hernandez has committed suicide in prison.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2...self-prison/Hkp9wdGcZImoMBomJLMNVJ/story.html

kinda bizarre he went through with the second trial if this was his intention.

 

[alfaniner]

Nevertheless, he will remain in prison for the rest of his life for murdering Odin Lloyd.

He certainly did that...

 

[Dumb All Over]

Wow, just wow.

 

[NoahFence]

I'm not sure how long he's going to hang around.

 

[Dumb All Over]

Maybe this is the revenge Alexander Bradley had in mind all along.

 

[DGM]

I figure it was a reaction to Jose Baez's bill..............