The prosecution started their opening argument saying all Renisha McBride wanted to do was go home on November 2, 2013 when she was fatally shot by Theodore Wafer on his porch. She was injured, intoxicated, perhaps disoriented and seeking help. The case is now in the hands of the jury. Until they deliberate and reach a verdict, no one will know how the case will finally conclude. In recapping the case, there are many pieces that affect a jury’s decision. And the victim in a murder case is never able to tell their side of the story. It is told through the lens of the police who investigated it, how well they did their job, the prosecutors who prepared the case for trial, and the defendant, if he/she takes the stand. The other factors are the jury racial, ethnic and gender make up, the judge’s jury instructions, the subtle biases of the jury and the demeanor of the prosecutor and defense attorneys. No one factor stands alone. In any case, the jury is a crucial … [Read more...] about Recapping the Renisha McBride Case
Archives for August 2014
Renisha McBride’s Killer and his Two Tall Tales
There are always 2 sides to every story but in the trial for the murder of Renisha McBride, the two sides come from the same person--the defendant. Theodore Wafer’s two tall tales give conflicting accounts of what happened on the night that McBride was killed. The jury is the judge of the facts in every case and must decide on the truth. Wafer testified on Day 9 of the trial and told a riveting account of the early morning hours of November 2, 2013 when he shot and killed McBride. His court room version was an emotional account with tears on how he was scared hearing the thunderous pounding of his front, side and back doors with metal hitting the door and his floors vibrating. Believing that multiple persons were attempting to break in his house, he didn’t want to cower or be a victim in his own home. And he shot in self- defense—saying it was them or him. Under the jury instructions which will be given to the jury, if Wafer’s court room version is believed, he had no … [Read more...] about Renisha McBride’s Killer and his Two Tall Tales
Renisha McBride: A Case of Gender, Race and Class
In the courtroom for the murder of Renisha McBride, there are two victims- one is dead and the other one claiming to be a victim is on trial for the killing of McBride. With a 19 year old black woman killed seeking help and a middle aged white man claiming to be a victim in his home, in a changing neighborhood, the case has all the elements of gender, race and class in America. And where race, gender and class clash, McBride is likely to get the short end of the deal. Theodore Wafer took the stand on Monday, August 4 in his murder trial. He is the only living witness to the murder of McBride and he’s claiming it was self-defense. And if you listen to his account, McBride, November 2, 2013 was a superwoman, sounding like 2 or more people as she banged and pounded on Wafer’s door seeking help in the early morning hours. And as Wafer takes the stand, it is clear that McBride is on trial for being a black woman in the wrong neighborhood at the wrong hour of night. Wafer testified to … [Read more...] about Renisha McBride: A Case of Gender, Race and Class
Finding the Missing Link in the Bob McDonnell Case
In the conspiracy corruption trial of Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, gifts were plentiful from businessman Jonnie R. Williams to former VA Governor Bob McDonnell, his wife and family. Conspiracy requires 2 or more persons acting together. That would be Maureen and Bob McDonnell. If you listen to the defense attorney’s opening, they were hardly speaking to be able to conspire together. The missing link that the prosecution must show is the quid pro quo which is that McDonnell, as a part of his official duties, planned future official acts for Williams’ dietary supplement business. Gifts by themselves are not enough for a conviction. And that’s why the McDonnell lawyers have tried to portray Jonnie Williams as a friend which he completely denied. Businessman Jonnie Williams knew the rules of how to pay to play. The prosecution must show that Williams was not a friend but a businessman for whom the former Governor promised official acts on his behalf. A previous case … [Read more...] about Finding the Missing Link in the Bob McDonnell Case