[Not just another dumb blonde]

If all the evidence was circumstantial, the prosecution had nothing. And they found him guilty on that and that alone. Just for a moment put yourself in his shoes. Isn't he supposed to be innocent until proven guilty? He was tried and convicted before he was arrested. They had a change of venue. Do you think those people didn't read the paper or watch the news? There was no such thing as a fair trial in this case. I'm just saying they didn't have strong enough evidence for a capital crime case.

[Txsleuth]

I have heard of murder case that have resulted in a Guilty verdit when the body was never found!!!!!!!

[Jokelahoma]

Well then I would put the question back to you... have you seen all the evidence? Did you hear all the testimony? Have you seen with your own eyes the exhibits that were presented? If not, you aren't in any better position than am I to judge what the jury did or did not see. I can only say that based on the little bit I heard, he seemed guilty. That, however, isn't the important part of this. The important part is that twelve people, charged with sitting and hearing the evidence for weeks, found him guilty.

Again, using your criteria ( "do you think these people didn't read the paper or watch the news?" ) no one can ever get a fair trial.

[AnAmericanMother]

If all the evidence was circumstantial, the prosecution had nothing.

This is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the courts work.

You very, very rarely get "direct evidence" (that's the opposite of circumstantial evidence) of a premeditated murder. The perpetrator plans to commit it when there are no witnesses around, of course. And does his best to sanitize the crime scene and dispose of the body.

But you can still get a good, solid conviction of a premeditated murder with circumstantial evidence. And a good prosecutor can explain it in closing so the jury understands.

Common example: You have one child. You have no pets; your husband is at work. The doors are locked. You come downstairs and find the cookie jar rifled. You follow a trail of crumbs to the chair where your child is watching TV. There are cooky crumbs on the chair.

Who took the cookies? That's all circumstantial evidence, but it's pretty much a slam dunk.

[highflight]

All cases are based on circumstantial evidence.

He was fishing in the bay.
Her body washed up from the bay.
He had a girlfriend who was told "I lost my wife" before he lost her.
Use your common sense.