07-12-2011, 10:43 AM
July 12, 2011
Orlando Sentinel
BUSHNELL — Assistant State Attorney Pete Magrino, during his opening statement in the killer python trial this morning, called the snake that strangled a 2-year-old girl "an instrument of death."
But "those two adult defendants are responsible for the unlawful death of Shaianna Hare," Magrino said, pointing at Charles "Jason" Darnell, 34, and the toddler's mother, Jaren Hare, 21, who showed little emotion during the prosecutor's remarks.
Darnell's lawyer, J. Rhiannon Arnold of Orlando, provided an alternative view, describing the child's death as "a terrible accident…that, with Monday morning quarterbacking, seems like it could have been prevented." YES IT COULD HAVE ASSHOLE. Hare's lawyer Ismael Solis Jr. of Groveland also called it a terrible accident.
A panel of six jurors will decide the case.
Prosecutors argue that Darnell and Hare acted with reckless disregard for the safety of the little girl, who was killed on July 1, 2009, by an 8-foot-6-inch Burmese pet python named Gypsy.
Darnell and Hare are being tried together. If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, third-degree murder and child neglect as charged, the couple could receive as many as 35 years in prison.
Magrino outlined his view that Darnell and Hare failed to protect the child from the snake, which had previously escaped its tank.
In her opening statement, Arnold tried to distance Darnell from Hare, pointing out that both the snake and the child were hers, not his. She also insisted Gypsy was docile.
"This snake was no different than a family dog," she said. "While that could seem strange…some people like cats, some people like dogs. Some people have rabbits, some people have hamsters."
Solis, meanwhile, said Hare, who was 19 when Shaianna was killed, had owned the snake since she was 14. She and Darnell often took the python for a ride in the car and Gypsy rode in the front seat with Hare.
"The snake is like a little puppy to her," Solis said. MAINLY BECAUSE SHE IS A DRUG-ADDLED MORON. let's hope this jury is a little smarter than other florida juries. say, maybe as smart as the snake.
Orlando Sentinel
BUSHNELL — Assistant State Attorney Pete Magrino, during his opening statement in the killer python trial this morning, called the snake that strangled a 2-year-old girl "an instrument of death."
But "those two adult defendants are responsible for the unlawful death of Shaianna Hare," Magrino said, pointing at Charles "Jason" Darnell, 34, and the toddler's mother, Jaren Hare, 21, who showed little emotion during the prosecutor's remarks.
Darnell's lawyer, J. Rhiannon Arnold of Orlando, provided an alternative view, describing the child's death as "a terrible accident…that, with Monday morning quarterbacking, seems like it could have been prevented." YES IT COULD HAVE ASSHOLE. Hare's lawyer Ismael Solis Jr. of Groveland also called it a terrible accident.
A panel of six jurors will decide the case.
Prosecutors argue that Darnell and Hare acted with reckless disregard for the safety of the little girl, who was killed on July 1, 2009, by an 8-foot-6-inch Burmese pet python named Gypsy.
Darnell and Hare are being tried together. If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, third-degree murder and child neglect as charged, the couple could receive as many as 35 years in prison.
Magrino outlined his view that Darnell and Hare failed to protect the child from the snake, which had previously escaped its tank.
In her opening statement, Arnold tried to distance Darnell from Hare, pointing out that both the snake and the child were hers, not his. She also insisted Gypsy was docile.
"This snake was no different than a family dog," she said. "While that could seem strange…some people like cats, some people like dogs. Some people have rabbits, some people have hamsters."
Solis, meanwhile, said Hare, who was 19 when Shaianna was killed, had owned the snake since she was 14. She and Darnell often took the python for a ride in the car and Gypsy rode in the front seat with Hare.
"The snake is like a little puppy to her," Solis said. MAINLY BECAUSE SHE IS A DRUG-ADDLED MORON. let's hope this jury is a little smarter than other florida juries. say, maybe as smart as the snake.