By David in TN
wed, jan 25, 2023 at 4:03 P.M.
Opening Statements in Caitlyn Kaufman Trial, Accusation and Confession
On Wednesday, opening statements took place in the trial of Devaunte Hill and James Cowan for the murder of Caitlyn Kaufman.
"Opening arguments began with an accusation and ended with a confession."
"Devaunte Hill is responsible for Caitlyn Kaufman's death. Both Davidson County Assistant District Attorney Jan Norman and defense attorney Georgia Sims agree."
"But where their arguments diverge is whether Hill and co-defendant are guilty of first-degree murder, a premeditated and intentional act."
"Norman says yes. Sims says it was an unconscionable but reactionary act."
"Ron Munkeboe, representing Cowan, focused on what his client didn't do--fire the weapon."
"Kaufman, a Nashville nurse, was shot to death during her commute to Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West in December 2020." Kaufman's Mazda CX-5 SUV was discovered wrecked along Interstate 440 between Hillsboro Pike and West End Avenue. A Metro Parks officer spotted the SUV and pulled over believing it to be a single-vehicle wreck. He discovered the vehicle was riddled with bullets."
"A tip to police identified Hill, 23, and Cowan, 30, as suspects."
David in TN: Still another murder trial that the MSM doesn't make into a National Morality Play.
Because no one is forcing them to do so,David.The blacks and spics have organizations,while Whites are not allowed,under threat of the DOJ and FBI,to attempt to do the same.NO "White supremacist" groups can make their voices heard--they must be made invisible and muted.
ReplyDeleteToday,crump was screaming about DeSantis putting his foot down on crt,threatening a lawsuit(which he'll probably win nowadays),while no spokesman of a White group--which doesn't exist--steps forward to assert OUR side--not only on that subject,but everything that is being overloaded in the blacks favor.
It's like being a White guy in a boxing match against a black ,but the White opponent is bound and gagged,while the black has total freedom.If I were to draw a political cartoon,THAT'S what I would come up with for this topic.
The caption is,the ref saying:"Okay,let's have a fair fight."
--GRA
National media is not going to cover this -- you should be used to that by now.
ReplyDeleteMore important (to me, anyway) is whether whoever shot her can and should be convicted of 1st degree murder, especially since TN is a death penalty state.
2021 Tennessee Code -- Title 39 Criminal Offenses -- Chapter 13 Offenses Against Person -- Part 2 Criminal Homicide § 39-13-202. First Degree Murder
a. First degree murder is: 1. A premeditated and intentional killing of another; ... As used in subdivision (a)(1), “premeditation” is an act done after the exercise of reflection and judgment. “Premeditation” means that the intent to kill must have been formed prior to the act itself. It is not necessary that the purpose to kill preexist in the mind of the accused for any definite period of time. The mental state of the accused at the time the accused allegedly decided to kill must be carefully considered in order to determine whether the accused was sufficiently free from excitement and passion as to be capable of premeditation.
Every state has its own definition of 1st degree murder, as well as what constitutes 'premeditation', which is always a feature of that crime -- each state also has judicial precedent regarding 'premeditation', and this is often reflected in the judge's instructions to the jury -- in the case of TN, this will probably include instructions regarding how and when 'excitement and passion' can exclude 'premeditation', since the statute is also clear that 'it is not necessary that the purpose to kill preexist in the mind of the accused for any definite period of time' -- obviously 'intent' is also important here, and may pose a greater problem to the prosecution, again depending on TN precedent.
"They get on 40 west, merged on 440 west and just passed the 21st Avenue exit when their paths crossed," Sims said. "It is a coincidence. It is a happenstance. He told his friend that Ms. Kaufman cut them off. He acted in anger."
If you are 'cut off', then it takes some time to 1) pull out a weapon, and 2) catch up and/or pull alongside and fire it -- during this time you are also able to think about what you are about to do, and the likely or possible consequences.
>riddled with bullets
So her car was 'riddled with bullets' -- with every squeeze of the trigger there was a very brief amount of time to think, to reconsider.
One could say the general circumstances seem to weigh against 'intent' to kill, but the fact multiple shots were fired favors 'intent', since anyone shot multiple times is less likely to survive, and anyone attempting to shoot another person multiple times knows this, and knows it well in advance.
At the link it's clear these two fucking niggers, these apes, were allowed to appear at trial wearing nice civilian clothes, suits with ties -- I don't follow this case, and so don't know if either was granted bail; I doubt it -- no one charged with murder who has not been granted bail ought to be allowed to appear at trial wearing civilian clothes; I don't care how prejudicial anyone thinks it is.
Also, contrast their appearance at trial with video of an earlier court appearance at the link below:
Father of murdered Tennessee nurse lunges at suspects during court hearing
Unfortunately, I think it is going to be a problem for the prosecution to prove 'intent' to kill to the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard -- it somewhat depends on TN precedent.
Just being present makes you the same as if you pulled the trigger.
ReplyDeleteDavid In TN: This is from the Nashville Fox Affiliate, Fox 17, Thursday's testimony.
ReplyDelete"A friend of one of the suspects charged in Caitlyn Kaufman's death took the stand Thursday."
"Days after the Nashville nurse was shot to death on the interstate, 23-year-old Jacques Merrell-Odum went looking for Kaufman's mother at St. Thomas West, claiming to have information on her daughter's murder."
"He did not get in touch with her, but agreed to go to police headquarters where he was formally interviewed by Sgt. Chris Dickerson, lead detective for MNPD's Homicide Unit. Merrell-Odum said he had information on the gun used in the shooting which pointed to Devaunte Hill. The two had reportedly been friends since childhood."
"Merrell-Odum says he went to Hill's apartment on Dec. 6, 2020--just three days after the shooting--wherein Hill said he needed to 'get rid of a gun.' That gun was a Springfield XD 9 mm."
"Hill and Merrell-Odum swapped guns, he told prosecutors. Merrell-Odum was then in possession of the murder weapon and Hill was in possession of Merrell-Odum's Smith & Wesson."
"Merrell-Odum was instructed by Hill to trade the murder weapon with someone else's gun, he told the prosecution."
""I left the apartment to bring my girl to work, but I came back. That's when (Hill) told me everything.' -Jacques Merrell-Odum.""
"When Merrell-Odum returned to Hill's apartment, Hill showed his friend a news story surrounding a Nashville nurse's death and said, 'I did this. I f***** up.'"
"Merrell-Odum's interview led to the execution of a search warrant at Hill's apartment, and ultimately, Hill and James Cowan's arrests. Detectives said they found Merrell-Odum's Smith & Wesson under the mattress Hill was sleeping on when he was taken into custody."
"Merrell-Odum said before he went to the hospital looking for Caitlyn's mother, he spoke with his own mother--a former nurse. That's when he decided to share the information he had."
"" 'I just didn't feel right having that weapon. Knowing about it and not saying or doing anything about it. I wouldn't want it to happen to my family. I wouldn't want my mom to lose me and nobody do nothing and she's gotta sit there and just take it.' ""
Kaufman was driving to her shift at St. Thomas West on Dec. 3, 2020 when six rounds were fired at he Mazda SUV. She died within seconds."
"Investigators say Kaufman's vehicle was shot at 6:08 p.m. that night. Around 7:37 p.m. Hill is accused of making a Google search that said 'Nashville Shooting.' His defense team argued that web search was made to see if the driver of the Mazda had died."
"Kaufman wasn't found until 8:53 p.m., when a Metro Parks officer stopped on the shoulder of I-440 for what he thought would be a disabled motorist. He found Kaufman's head slumped over, her foot still on the brake, and the vehicle running. Detectives say one bullet traveled through her left lung, heart, right lung, then came to rest in he right arm. Three casings were found on the side of I-440, which would later be compared to a Springfield XD 9 mm gun and lead to charges of Kaufman's alleged killers."
"James Cowan is also charged with first-degree murder. His attorneys told the jury Wednesday there is no proof that Cowan killed anyone or had a weapon."
"Merrell-Odum told the prosecution that a few of the friends had been hanging out and smoking weed when Cowan made a flippant comment about Kaufman. 'He was like, f*** it, she shouldn't have done that shit type shit.'"
"Both Hill and Cowan entered not guilty pleas."
David In TN: Note that Cowan sounds a lot like George Thomas from the Knoxville Horror. The link didn't work so I typed out the entire news story.
Hill showed his friend a news story surrounding a Nashville nurse's death and said, 'I did this. I f***** up.'
ReplyDelete"I f***** up".
So this black puts murder in the same category as buying the wrong sized watermelon at the store.
"Baby,I TOLD you,get me a big melon."
"I f***** up,my bad "
And that's it .
-GRA