COOPER HARRIS, 2, DIES IN HOT CAR: JUSTIN HARRIS CHARGED WITH MURDER

[HairOfTheDog]

I think the Prosecution proved the charge related to sexual communications with a minor and made a fairly compelling circumstantial case for malice murder.

But, I'm not sure the case was strong enough to exceed reasonable doubt. Some of the evidence presented at the Probable Cause hearing over two years ago was overstated, in my opinion.

Anyone have a strong opinion as to whether Harris will be convicted of malice murder (requires intent to kill), or felony cruelty to children (requires intent to harm), or aquitted?

[BigMark]

It's just sad, nothing will make it better.

[HairOfTheDog]

It's just sad, nothing will make it better.

That's true, Biggie.

But, if Ross Harris intentionally left his 2-year-old to slowly bake to death in the Georgia heat, it would make it worse if he was acquitted and free to have more kids (potential victims).

I really don't know if the guy is just a creepy and scatter-brained dipshit or a child-murderer. I lean towards the latter, but won't be surprised if the jury acquits him, based on the evidence presented by both sides at trial.

[ramseycat]

I think he will be found guilty. He is the most hated man in GA.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think he will be found guilty. He is the most hated man in GA.

Well, you were right from the get-go about the parents being suspicious in the little Deorr Kunz case. And, you were right about the need for a change of venue in this case. So, I won't be surprised if you're right about Justin Ross Harris being convicted of malice murder.

The reason that I think an acquittal is more likely than I did when the case first broke is that the circumstantial evidence, particularly the internet views, is not as incriminating as was portrayed at the Probable Cause hearing. That reminds me of how the computer forensics evidence against Casey Anthony (the most hated woman in the country) was initially overstated and backfired on the prosecution, in my opinion.

It still kinda blows my mind that she was acquitted. I think the circumstantial evidence against her was far stronger than the evidence against Harris, but the Georgia jury may well be more conservative in their viewing of the circumstantial evidence than was the Florida jury.

And, I'm still suspicious of Leanna Harris (Taylor) for some reason. But, I hope she had no advance knowledge and/or didn't help to cover anything up.

[ramseycat]

I don't think she had advance notice but it wouldn't surprise me if she help him cover it up.

[ramseycat]

Even if he didn't do it on purpose, he needs to rot in prison. How do you forget your child? He was too wrapped up in his sexting and cheating on his wife to remember his own son. He's a skank and deserves prison.

[HairOfTheDog]

Even if he didn't do it on purpose, he needs to rot in prison. How do you forget your child? He was too wrapped up in his sexting and cheating on his wife to remember his own son. He's a skank and deserves prison.

I just read the charge instructions. If the jury acquits Ross Harris of malice (intentional) murder, they will have the option of convicting him of a lesser felony charge that doesn't require intent (criminally negligent murder).

Today, closing arguments were given.

Prosecution:
Prosecutor Boring argued that it's not reasonable to believe that Ross Harris forgot his child considering that he'd buckled-in Cooper less than a mile from work, the car seat was so close to the driver's seat/view, and Harris had returned to the vehicle at lunch. Prosecutor Boring said it wasn't that Ross Harris didn't love his child, but rather that Ross Harris loved himself and his obsessions more than he did his son. “As much as we may not want to believe people are capable for this kind of evil, that’s what the facts show in this case,” Boring said.

Defense:
Defense Attorney Kilgore argued that Ross Harris was forgetful and clueless, not murderous. He said the prosecution jumped to conclusions and unfairly tried to use Harris' unrelated extra-marital sexual activities as proof of murder. Kilgore reminded the jury that records show Harris had been planning a family vacation and looking for homes near good child schools shortly before Cooper's death, and that everyone who knew Ross Harris (including Leanna Harris/Taylor) saw Ross as a good and loving dad. Kilgore didn't address the sex charges at all.

Story: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/georgia-hot-...rosecutor/

[BigMark]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/11/14/geo...t-suv.html

[Duchess]

Guilty on all counts.

Count 1 Malice Murder (Mandatory life sentence) - GUILTY

Count 2 Felony Murder (Mandatory life sentence) - GUILTY

Count 3 Felony Murder (Mandatory life sentence) - GUILTY

Count 4 Cruelty to Children in the First Degree (5-to-20 year sentence) - GUILTY

Count 5 Cruelty to Children in the Second Degree (1-to-10 year sentence) - GUILTY

Count 6 Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony (10 year sentence) - GUILTY

Count 7 Dissemination of Pornography to Minors (12 month sentence; $5,000 fine) - GUILTY

Count 8 Dissemination of Pornography to Minors (12 month sentence; $5,000 fine) - GUILTY

[d505]

Can't believe it. I thought he would get off.

[HairOfTheDog]

Thanks for posting the verdict, Duchess. Wow.

I figured it was less than a 50% chance that Ross Harris would be convicted of the 'malice murder' too, d505. The other convictions don't surprise me so much.

Ramsey called it again -- she's on a roll.

[BigMark]

Doesn't she have to attribute where she copied and pasted that from?

[HairOfTheDog]

Duchess posted verdicts which were announced in court; she did not post someone else's work, words, or ideas.

So, obviously, she doesn't have to paste attribution any more than you would have to if you posted scores when you were watching football games.

The rules to the Crime Forum are fairly simple to understand, Biggie. Take a read if you're not just being intentionally dense.

[HairOfTheDog]

Sentencing is scheduled for December 5^th.

We already know he'll be doing life sentences on the felony charges, but I'm still curious to see Ross Harris' demeanor and whether he'll address the court when he's formally sentenced.

[ramseycat]

I think he was found guilty because of all of the other things he was up to. Even if he didn't intentionally leave his son in the car, he was too wrapped up in his Sexting life to pay attention to his child and that to the jury was unforgivable. That's what I think anyway. Maybe they did think he did it intentionally.

[BigMark]

I hope the next time you go potty the bug comes out.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think he was found guilty because of all of the other things he was up to. Even if he didn't intentionally leave his son in the car, he was too wrapped up in his Sexting life to pay attention to his child and that to the jury was unforgivable. That's what I think anyway. Maybe they did think he did it intentionally.

The jury had to agree that he purposely left Cooper in the car to die in order to convict him of Count 1, 'malice (intentional) murder'.

Ross is gonna die in prison.

I wonder if Leanna will be at the sentencing and make a victim impact statement?

[ramseycat]

I think he was found guilty because of all of the other things he was up to. Even if he didn't intentionally leave his son in the car, he was too wrapped up in his Sexting life to pay attention to his child and that to the jury was unforgivable. That's what I think anyway. Maybe they did think he did it intentionally.

The jury had to agree that he purposely left Cooper in the car to die in order to convict him of Count 1, 'malice (intentional) murder'.

Ross is gonna die in prison.

I wonder if Leanna will be at the sentencing and make a victim impact statement?

They should have all agreed but that doesn't mean they did. They might have said they did but…

[Duchess]

Doesn't she have to attribute where she copied and pasted that from?

Ahahaha! Look at the tattletale. *points*