11-19-2014, 12:24 PM
Hannah Graham Cause of Death
A University of Virginia student whose disappearance sparked a monthlong search died from "homicidal violence" but the exact cause is unknown, authorities said Tuesday.
The Albemarle County Police Department outlined the findings from the Virginia medical examiner's office in the death of 18-year-old Hannah Graham but said a final autopsy report has not been issued.
Story: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/officials-ha...-violence/
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I hope the ME can determine the exact cause of death as the investigation unearths more information about the crime. If Matthew is guilty and doesn't confess or plead out, COD will be good to have at trial.
But, if it's not possible to ascertain what exact act of violence caused her to die before trial, I really hope the state doesn't present an elaborate theory that is likely true, but can't be supported strongly by the science. That's been been done in a couple of recent high-profile cases and, in my opinion, it confuses and bothers jurors and risks securing a conviction more than admitting that the specific COD is undetermined. Stick to the facts; even if the case is largely circumstantial.
If I was on a jury and prosecutors were able to present and back up this type of evidence (for example only): the defendant was the last person seen with the victim, the victim was raped and the defendant's DNA was recovered from her clothing, the defendant has a history of violent sexual assault, the defendant's alibi for the time frame of the murder did not check out, the defendant ran from the law when confronted with the crime, the victim was brutally beaten and possibly strangled, BUT the specific act of violence which caused her to take her last breath is uncertain", I'd be able to find the defendant guilty.
The perceived "CSI Effect" and attempts by prosecutors to overcome it is frustrating. I really hope it doesn't come into play in this case.
A University of Virginia student whose disappearance sparked a monthlong search died from "homicidal violence" but the exact cause is unknown, authorities said Tuesday.
The Albemarle County Police Department outlined the findings from the Virginia medical examiner's office in the death of 18-year-old Hannah Graham but said a final autopsy report has not been issued.
Story: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/officials-ha...-violence/
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I hope the ME can determine the exact cause of death as the investigation unearths more information about the crime. If Matthew is guilty and doesn't confess or plead out, COD will be good to have at trial.
But, if it's not possible to ascertain what exact act of violence caused her to die before trial, I really hope the state doesn't present an elaborate theory that is likely true, but can't be supported strongly by the science. That's been been done in a couple of recent high-profile cases and, in my opinion, it confuses and bothers jurors and risks securing a conviction more than admitting that the specific COD is undetermined. Stick to the facts; even if the case is largely circumstantial.
If I was on a jury and prosecutors were able to present and back up this type of evidence (for example only): the defendant was the last person seen with the victim, the victim was raped and the defendant's DNA was recovered from her clothing, the defendant has a history of violent sexual assault, the defendant's alibi for the time frame of the murder did not check out, the defendant ran from the law when confronted with the crime, the victim was brutally beaten and possibly strangled, BUT the specific act of violence which caused her to take her last breath is uncertain", I'd be able to find the defendant guilty.
The perceived "CSI Effect" and attempts by prosecutors to overcome it is frustrating. I really hope it doesn't come into play in this case.