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They caught him redhanded. The evidence against him is overwhelming. He has admitted to the murder but plead insanity. Insanity requires that the defendant did not know what he was doing when he did it. Almost impossible to prove in this case because the defendant knew well what he was doing, pre planned the murder, bought a gun and costume, rented a car to do the murder. So normally the prosecution should have an easy time, right?
Not so fast. Cases are won or lost before trials even start. They are won or lost in the phase of jury selection. And this jury is a defense attorney dream. 9 women on a 12 member jury from a very liberal county. 4 are minorities. That is why the DA took the death penalty off the table. He knows his case is in big trouble. I say they will find NOT GUILTY.
I didnt read your link, just your description. If he had "Pre planned" it as you say then how can he plead insanity? He pre planned it yet only went insane during the time of the murder?
The defense is claiming that he was psychotic and listening to an apparition who told him to kill Rusty Sneiderman to protect the children.
I think he will be found guilty. Though the testimony from the psychiatrist was compelling, the fact that the defense can't produce anyone from the defendant's professional or personal life who says that he ever experienced visions or other symptoms of psychosis makes me think the jury will find him not guilty.
What about the widow, though? How has she gotten away without any charges?
No matter how "liberal" the jury, the prosecution is not in big trouble with that kind of evidence. The DA likely took the death penalty off the table because no matter how conservative and even revenge-minded the jury, they are much less likely to find a defendant guilty if they know they are going to be asked to kill someone themselves.
I have never server on a death penalty jury but I think many jurors develop a 'brain freeze' when they hear 'death penalty trial.' It seems some cannot get beyond "death penalty" and consider lesser charges.
So many death row inmates may sit there 20+ years with all the appeals the jury might as well sentenced them to life without parole.
I have never server on a death penalty jury but I think many jurors develop a 'brain freeze' when they hear 'death penalty trial.' It seems some cannot get beyond "death penalty" and consider lesser charges.
So many death row inmates may sit there 20+ years with all the appeals the jury might as well sentenced them to life without parole.
I wouldn't call it brain freeze. I would call it taking premeditated, court-ordered homicide VERY seriously. I wish more people did!
They caught him redhanded. The evidence against him is overwhelming. He has admitted to the murder but plead insanity. Insanity requires that the defendant did not know what he was doing when he did it. Almost impossible to prove in this case because the defendant knew well what he was doing, pre planned the murder, bought a gun and costume, rented a car to do the murder. So normally the prosecution should have an easy time, right?
Not so fast. Cases are won or lost before trials even start. They are won or lost in the phase of jury selection. And this jury is a defense attorney dream. 9 women on a 12 member jury from a very liberal county. 4 are minorities. That is why the DA took the death penalty off the table. He knows his case is in big trouble. I say they will find NOT GUILTY.
Thankfully, the jury did find him guilty. "Guilty and mentally ill". He will be able to receive mental health services while in prison for a life-sentence.
Now...what is to become of the victim's wife, Andrea? Do you think they will press charges since the closing arguments of both the prosecution and the defense strongly pointed the finger at her?
I think that someone needs to be keeping a close eye on Andrea so that she doesn't flee the jurisdiction. I have a pretty good feeling that her turn is coming soon....
I assume she still has the children. If she is arrested/prosecuted, I hope Rusty's family gets the children. Don't know anything about her family; would like to hear more about that.
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