Do you think it's impossible for a jury to come to a verdict that's inconsistent with the facts of the case, and do so for their own reasons?
Obviously you weren't as much as this jury was... I suspect we did know more of the evidence than the jury did. We got to look at and discuss all the stuff Judge Mudd would not allow into trial. I think many of us were expecting this, but we're also expecting it to be overturned on appeal, at least partly due to the amount of exculpatory evidence Judge Mudd excluded.
Drew Garrett
Yes, we had more info, more time to discuss the evidence than the jury did. Remember (1) Judge Mudd severly limited what might be brought in -- including such clearly relevant pieces as the testimony of the van Dam boys, and many others. (2) The jury could not discuss the case among themselves and explore such things as bug forensics and how dogs are used. We did extensively. (3) The jury did not have the relatvively safe haven we have here on FR to discuss the case, instead they had full media glare and harassment directed at them -- all screaming to convict Westerfield. (4) We have had time -- many have followed this case closely since January. Unlikely that the jurors have given the case that much time in consideration. (5) Finally we have had a great force multiplier -- hundreds of people active in rthe discussion and reasearch.
I'll admit that unpaid, voluntary, customer-free efforts like this are prone to spottiness. Other than that The fact that a consensus of folks -- Freepers -- have reached a conclusion that is at odds with the Jury's, and have done so after an intense and extended effort does not speak well to (1) the overly-limited facts presented to the Jury, (2) the irredeemably prejudicial allowed use of the porn and porn charges, (3) the failure of the Jury to be sequestered from the day after day barrage of misstatements and incredible prejudice against Westerfield in the local and national media.
Is there a recent famous public case known in which reasonable doubt was clearer? Hard to imagine it.