05-07-2012, 01:51 PM
Here's the full LFP update:
UPDATE: 11:04 Michael Rafferty's defense lawyer began his closing arguments Monday by urging the jurors to overlook his client's "moral flaws" when they judge the evidence.
Derstine acknowledged the trial was "set against a backdrop of an unspeakable tragedy" - the murder of Tori Stafford - but pleaded with them to be dispassionate and judge his client beyond a reasonable doubt.
He urged them not to leap to judgment and not to solve "a murder mystery."
Derstine argued the crucial question in the case is the direct testimony of Terri-Lynne McClintic and her credibility.
He called McClintic a "prolific liar" and her cheerful statements to police that she wanted to find Tori a "fantastic performance."
Derstine said McClintic came up with "well-thought out lies," like an "Oscar-winning actor."
He said McClintic constantly changed her story to escape responsibility and acted like "the girl next door" - eager to help when she interviewed by police.
Derstine said McClintic admitted she was unable to sort out truth from lies, even in her own mind.
McClintic lied about killing Stafford for two years, blaming Rafferty before changing her story.
But Derstine said the jurors should have "no doubt" that she was telling the truth when she testified she killed Tori with a hammer.
UPDATE: 1:07PM Michael Rafferty's mother told reporters outside court today "he's not guilty and it hurts like hell. It hurts."
Confronted by a mob of reporters, the small woman walking with a cane said she would provide more comment later.
"I think he's got a good lawyer," she said when asked what she thought of Dirk Derstine's closing argument, which began Monday morning.
In court, Dirk Derstine, Michael Rafferty's defense lawyer continued to hammer away at the credibility of Terri-Lynne McClintic, Rafferty's former girlfriend and the Crown's star witness. Continuing his closing argument, Derstine called McClintic a chronic and manipulative liar with a strong tendency for violence.
He read extensive passages from Mc Clintic's journals where she confesses to a "thirst for blood" and writes long sadistic fantasies about killing and dismembering innocent people.
Derstine also dealt with McClintic's fascination with the rapper Necro and read passages of his ultra-violent lyrics from songs like No Remorse and Creepy Crawly.
Derstine said McClintic was not motivated by Necro but the lyrics were "a window into her soul." Derstine said the violence was more than a fantasy. Depite her meek appearance at trial, Derstine said she has a history of violence, including assaults on her own mother, a knife attack and robbery on two men in Woodstock and the beating of another inmate shortly before the trial.
Derstine also went after McClintic's testimony that she only abducted Tori Stafford on Rafferty's orders.
Derstine said Rafferty and McClintic were in a casual relationship and he would not have reason to trust her.
Rafferty did not behave like a person who was carrying out a kidnapping on April 8 2009., leaving McClintic and Tori alone in his car while he stopped for coffee and bought painkillers at a friend's house in Guelph, he said.
In contrast, there was video evidence that McClintic looked intent and determined when she abducted Tori and bought murder tools at a Home Depot in Guelph.
Derstine also mocked McClintic's claim that she picked Tori at random and did not know her.
He said it appeared that Tori was targeted and the girl willingly followed McClintic because she was not a stranger.
Derstine said two witnesses testified McClintic was walking intently away from the school saying nothing while Tori followed.
Derstine is expected to wrap up after the lunch recess.
UPDATE: 11:04 Michael Rafferty's defense lawyer began his closing arguments Monday by urging the jurors to overlook his client's "moral flaws" when they judge the evidence.
Derstine acknowledged the trial was "set against a backdrop of an unspeakable tragedy" - the murder of Tori Stafford - but pleaded with them to be dispassionate and judge his client beyond a reasonable doubt.
He urged them not to leap to judgment and not to solve "a murder mystery."
Derstine argued the crucial question in the case is the direct testimony of Terri-Lynne McClintic and her credibility.
He called McClintic a "prolific liar" and her cheerful statements to police that she wanted to find Tori a "fantastic performance."
Derstine said McClintic came up with "well-thought out lies," like an "Oscar-winning actor."
He said McClintic constantly changed her story to escape responsibility and acted like "the girl next door" - eager to help when she interviewed by police.
Derstine said McClintic admitted she was unable to sort out truth from lies, even in her own mind.
McClintic lied about killing Stafford for two years, blaming Rafferty before changing her story.
But Derstine said the jurors should have "no doubt" that she was telling the truth when she testified she killed Tori with a hammer.
UPDATE: 1:07PM Michael Rafferty's mother told reporters outside court today "he's not guilty and it hurts like hell. It hurts."
Confronted by a mob of reporters, the small woman walking with a cane said she would provide more comment later.
"I think he's got a good lawyer," she said when asked what she thought of Dirk Derstine's closing argument, which began Monday morning.
In court, Dirk Derstine, Michael Rafferty's defense lawyer continued to hammer away at the credibility of Terri-Lynne McClintic, Rafferty's former girlfriend and the Crown's star witness. Continuing his closing argument, Derstine called McClintic a chronic and manipulative liar with a strong tendency for violence.
He read extensive passages from Mc Clintic's journals where she confesses to a "thirst for blood" and writes long sadistic fantasies about killing and dismembering innocent people.
Derstine also dealt with McClintic's fascination with the rapper Necro and read passages of his ultra-violent lyrics from songs like No Remorse and Creepy Crawly.
Derstine said McClintic was not motivated by Necro but the lyrics were "a window into her soul." Derstine said the violence was more than a fantasy. Depite her meek appearance at trial, Derstine said she has a history of violence, including assaults on her own mother, a knife attack and robbery on two men in Woodstock and the beating of another inmate shortly before the trial.
Derstine also went after McClintic's testimony that she only abducted Tori Stafford on Rafferty's orders.
Derstine said Rafferty and McClintic were in a casual relationship and he would not have reason to trust her.
Rafferty did not behave like a person who was carrying out a kidnapping on April 8 2009., leaving McClintic and Tori alone in his car while he stopped for coffee and bought painkillers at a friend's house in Guelph, he said.
In contrast, there was video evidence that McClintic looked intent and determined when she abducted Tori and bought murder tools at a Home Depot in Guelph.
Derstine also mocked McClintic's claim that she picked Tori at random and did not know her.
He said it appeared that Tori was targeted and the girl willingly followed McClintic because she was not a stranger.
Derstine said two witnesses testified McClintic was walking intently away from the school saying nothing while Tori followed.
Derstine is expected to wrap up after the lunch recess.
The only reason people get lost in thought is because it's unfamiliar territory.