I Attended Court Appearance for Mass Murder Defendant Martin Martinez Today

Today was a first for me.  I noticed on the Stanislaus County Court's website that Martin Martinez was due in court today at 8:30AM and I just had to be there.  Being a probable death penalty case involving 6 murders, this/these trials may not begin for years.  The court appearances may be numerous and not much seems to get done aside from a new continuance being issued.  I very much wanted to see this man with my own eyes.  I wanted to see what kind of person could (allegedly) kill his own mother, 6 month old daughter, his girlfriend and the mother of the 6 month old as well as his own niece. That is only ONE of the cases against Mr. Martinez.  He also will stand trial for the murder of 2 year old Christopher Ripley - the son of his murdered girlfriend Dr. Amanda Crews with her former husband Timothy Ripley.

As I mentioned, this is the first time I've attended a court session for a murder trial.  Since this happened in Modesto and the court house is less than 5 miles away, I couldn't think of a single reason not to go.  I wanted to arrive early, anticipating a larger crowd than actually ended up being there.  This probably stems from watching coverage of larger trials like the Casey Anthony & Jodi Arias trials.  This trial could get as big as those by the time it begins.  It certainly was as heinous, if not more than then the above-mentioned murders.  There hasn't been a lot of publicity around this story either and I'd imagine by the time it begins things will change.

I arrived at the courthouse at 7:45AM even though the court session didn't start until 8:30AM.  I wanted to be sure  I got a good seat in the gallery and didn't know how crowded it would be.  As I was standing on the steps of the courthouse there were maybe 12 other people in line.  I scanned the crowd for people who looked like they could be relatives of either the Martinez's or the Crews'.  There were a few that appeared they could be there for Martinez but really no way to tell.  This wasn't the only defendant appearing in court this morning after all.  I'm a rookie, rookie mistake.  Either way I was excited to be there.  I knew I'd recognize Amanda's sister Kimberley if she attended. After all, they are identical twins.  Looking at Kimberly would almost be like looking at Amanda herself.

Around 7:50AM, a large white Sheriff bus passed and disappeared into underground parking, followed by AM.  Although there were benches outside the courtroom I was too nervous to sit - I wanted to be one of the first inside to get a good seat as I'm hard of hearing and I really wanted to get a look at this (alleged) mass murderer.  While waiting for the doors to open I noticed Kimberley Crews walk in - she was standing right across from me with a gentleman who I am not familiar with.  It could have been her husband or boyfriend or brother.  I'll have to do more research on the family to see if she's married and to whom.  Kimberley looks a little different than she did in the 2015 photos that were published when this story broke but you can still definitely see it's Amanda's twin.

She was greeted by a tall blond lady who I thought had to be on the prosecution team by the way she carried herself.  Another tall older gentleman joined them and they huddled together and they seemed to be filling Kimberley in on some information.  While waiting for Courtroom 8 to open, a handful of detainees were shuffled into another room to await their court appearances.  It's a strange sight when it's real and not on television.  The courtroom doors finally opened and I was the first one in.  I didn't know which side was the prosecution side and which was the defense side.  I gambled and went to my right and sat I the first row that was not roped off (second row).  Kimberley Crews and the man who accompanied her and another woman sat in the same row as I was in.  I didn't know if the woman was Amanda & Kimberley's mother so out of respect I asked her if they needed the whole row and she said they did not. I've never seen their mother so I don't know that it was in fact her - it could have been an aunt or just about anybody.

Seconds after people were seated the side door opened and in walked Martin Martinez.  I'm telling you, this is one scary looking individual.  Gone is the close cropped clean cut hair and now he has hair down to the middle of his back, a full beard and mustache.  You wouldn't know it was the same person as shown in the initial mugshot or other photos published of him in better times.  He looked like a man who has been living in the wilderness with no access to grooming materials. He looks heavier.  His public defender looked overwhelmed, but he has every right.  What a case he has to defend.  Jurors don't take kindly to killers of babies, children, girlfriends or ex girlfriends, mothers and nieces or any other family members for that matter.

To be completely honest, I couldn't really tell you what this very brief hearing was about.  It was very difficult to make out what they were saying - the microphones were not on and I'll need to buy a 'miracle ear" if I attend again.  I believe there was a request for another continuance - one side needs more time for preparation.  With a case as large and complex as this one involving so many victims, it's understandable.  I believe the next court appearance was slated for December 18th.  Plenty of time for me to get my "miracle ear" so I can hear more of what's going on!

I wish there was a current photo of Martin Martinez to share with you.  He's just scary looking.  I can see the evil that lurks inside of him.  I hope if he is truly guilty, he never gets out of prison.  Here's a look at the people he (allegedly) took away from their loved ones and families (I could not find a photo of his niece online but will keep searching):

 2 year old Christopher died in October of 2014 after suffering massive head trauma.  Prosecutors believed Martinez caused the fatal injuries.  He is charged with murder and aggravated child abuse.

 Christopher's sister Elizabeth was reportedly devastated by her brother's death.  How unthinkable that she's now gone as well - (allegedly...I hate that) at the hands of the same man.

 All of these deaths are sad, but perhaps the most unlikely was the murder of his own 6 month old daughter Rachael. Her age prevented her from becoming a "witness" against him, so there was no reason other than spite to kill her.

This is Dr. Amanda Crews. From all accounts she was an excellent doctor, a great friend and all around good person.  What could she have done to set off the kind of rage that erupted that July 2015 night?  She deserved a lot more life and had a lot more to give which makes this whole thing senseless.

You can see the sadness in the face of Amanda's ex husband Timothy Ripley in this photo.  He is another victim who had his two precious children ripped out of his life forever.  I feel for him and hope he has a good support system to help him through this.

Kimberley Crews, Amanda's twin sister certainly feels the pain and loss of not only her sister, but her nieces and nephew.  That's almost too much to take.  I hope she has support in place as well.  God be with you all.  There's no way to tell when the trial(s) will start and what kind of awful details they will have to sit and listen to.  Stay strong and reach out for help if need be.  You have a community behind you.

If you get the chance to read the original criminal complaint against Martinez, please do so.  It's a window into the crime at the Nob Hill location.  

http://www.stanct.org/sites/default/files/Martinez%201.pdf

If this link fails to work, go to search engine and type in Stanislaus County High Profile Cases.

You will see the site - click on it and you will see there are 2 separate cases pending against Martinez (one for Timothy Ripley and one for 5 counts of murder in the Nob Hill killings).  View case #1498584.   Click on #1 Complaint.  It's a 3 page document outlining some of the case details such as the special enhancements for using a knife and laying in wait.  

Until next time....I'm so sorry I don't have much information on Martin's mother or niece - both of which were also victims.  I'm going to follow his through

Finally, a feel good story for a change!

Finally there is a heartwarming story being reported in the news.  A homeless veteran came to the aid of a woman who had run out of gas on I-95 near Philadelphia when Johnny Bobbitt, a homeless man offered his assistance. While she waited in her car with the doors locked, Bobbitt took off and spent his last $20 on gas for the woman.  27 year old Kate McClure was so touched by Johnny's kindness and his story that she set up a GoFundMe page and raised over $300,000 for him.

Bobbitt, a former marine sits on the side of the road with a sign and doesn't have much.  McClure has been bringing him essentials and had originally hoped to raise $100,000 to help him get back on his feet.  They were both overwhelmed by what they eventually collected.

See, sometimes it pays to be a good Samaritan!  Johnny has said he just wants to pay it forward.

Bobbitt receives much needed haircut (GMA)

Mclure & Bobbit (courtesy of Mclure)

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Bobbit's former housing

It's nice to see these type of stories in the news.  I think they don't usually get as much press as the horrible stories we are subjected to on a daily basis.  Everyone once in a while we need something to restore our faith in humanity!

New Details Surrounding Shooting of Baltimore Det. Sean Suiter

Details are beginning to come out about what Detective Sean Suiter and his partner were at the time of the shooting and what they were doing there.  This only makes me more suspicious.  As previously mentioned in my prior post, Det. Suiter and his partner were visiting the scene of a triple homicide when they observed "a suspicious man" in a vacant lot and approached him.  A struggle ensued between Det. Suiter and the unknown subject (the "unsub", if you are a fan of Criminal Minds) and Det. Suiter's weapon was used to shoot and kill him.

Det. Suiter's partner's name has yet to be released to the public.  Obviously the Baltimore PD know who he is, but why are they protecting his identity?  Do they fear he may be blamed for not doing enough to intervene and save his partner? It may well be, and he may have done everything by the book.  But nobody wants their partner being killed while they are supposed to "have their back".

According to the Baltimore Sun's Contact Reporter Justin Fenton, Det. Suiter and his partner were visiting the scene of a triple homicide that occurred in the block last December.  That's right, last December.  Why were they there on that particular day?  One of my prior questions was answered why they weren't wearing body cameras - they are detectives and detectives don't wear uniforms. They were reportedly in the area "canvassing" and had no real plans to meet any informant or person when they came upon Mr. Suspicious in the vacant lot.

Although the police reports Det. Suiter and mystery partner reportedly saw two activities that brought their attention to Mr. Suspicious/unsub - no action was taken.  They briefly left the area and when they returned is when the struggle ensued and Det. Suiter was shot.  Police are referring to a "violent struggle" between Suiter and unsub.  Why didn't mystery partner step in and pull out his police issued revolver?  He had to have one.  It seems so unlikely that two armed seasoned officers could be disarmed and shot by one "suspicious" man.

The police has confirmed Suiter was indeed shot with his own service revolver in the head at close range.  That doesn't sound like the kind of shot where the perpetrator is just trying to evade arrest due to some outstanding warrants.  That sounds more like a paid hit or execution.  Why was Suiter targeted and not mystery partner?  3 shots were fired from Suiter's weapon which was recovered at the scene.  Why didn't the partner fire his weapon?  

Police Commissioner Davis - Baltimore Sun

Although the detectives weren't wearing body cameras, the officers responding to the shooting were and they observed that Suiter still had his police radio in his hand - he must have been calling for backup or trying to call.  It sounds like Police Commissioner Davis is trying to protect Suiter's partners actions or inaction by now claiming the partner "sought cover" across the street when the gunshots rang out.  What was he doing away from his partner if this vacant lot guy was so suspicious that they came back around a second tie to see what he was up to?  You would think they would've been right there with him, not across the street.

When Suiter's partner called in the shooting he initially gave no description of the shooter, then later gave a generic description of a black male with a black jacket and white stripes (Adidas?).  Police have also indicated the unsub may have been wounded during the struggle/shooting and area hospitals have been informed to be on the lookout.  

Detective Suiter was scheduled to appear before a federal grand jury and testify about potential racketeering charges against 8 of his fellow officers.  Reportedly 4 have already plead guilty to the charges.  I may be wrong, but none of this sounds like the coincidence the Baltimore Police Department officials want us to believe it is.  How likely was he to be shot and killed while canvassing a neighborhood in connection with a triple homicide that happened nearly a year ago?  Even thugs hesitate to kill members of law enforcement due to the death penalty enhancement.  What could have been so serious about this encounter where this brief yet violent struggle ends with a dead detective?

According to the Baltimore Sun, Suiter was not part of the indictment - however he worked with 3 of the indicted officers during his 18 year career.  He was purely a witness giving testimony.  Now he has 5 children who lost their father forever.  We need answers.  If this was a random freak shooting then so be it.  But it doesn't really pass the smell test with me.  What do you think?  The Daily Beast is calling the Federal Grand Jury Indictment "a high profile racketeering case".  The 8 indicted officers are accused of "shaking down city residents and conspiring with drug dealers".  Yet Commissioner Davis doesn't believe the shooting was at all related to the testimony.  He chooses to believe the "suspicious person" who the unnamed partner couldn't provide a description of theory.

Another detail I didn't know when I wrote the first post - Detective Suiter also left behind a wife.  A wife and FIVE children who are fatherless.  The federal indictment must be a huge embarrassment to the Baltimore PD due to the supposed "Elite" status of the very group who now stands accused of being on the take.  Recent reports indicated there were 8 indicted officers, but when I look online for their names prior reports point to 7 officers. The earlier articles paint an even more negative picture of this elite team of crooks...I mean officers.

Indicted Officers (CNN)

In addition to the shaking down of citizens and conspiring with drug dealers, they also allegedly filed false court documentation and made fraudulent overtime claims.  Talk about getting caught with your mitts in the cookie jar!  One of the indicted officers is separately charged with participating in an illegal drug operation and tipping off the organization to police activities.  The picture is becoming clearer and clearer to me.  If this murder goes unsolved, it will take a lot to convince me it was a random act of violence on a random detective. 

The officers involved and indicted are:  36 year old Sgt. Wayne Jenkins, 34 year old detective Momodu Gondo, 32 year old Evodio Hendrix, 37 year old Daniel Herzl, 36 year old Jemell Rayam, 30 year old Marcus Taylor and 36 year old Maurice Ward.  This whole story stinks, I'm telling you.  

Baltimore Detective Murdered Day Before Scheduled to Give Federal Grand Jury Testimony Against Fellow Officers

Det Sean Suiter -Huff Post

I am not a big believer in coincidences when it comes to stories like this.  43 year old Detective Sean Suiter was gunned down and killed while on duty investigating a triple homicide on November 15th.  He was scheduled to appear before a federal grand jury on the following day to give testimony against 8 fellow officers facing Federal Racketeering charges.  4 of the officers reportedly have already pleaded guilty to those charges.

The officers involved were part of Baltimore's "Elite" Gun Trace Task Force. The incidents occurred a few years ago but the indictments came down in March and August on Federal Racketeering charges.  Baltimore Police Commissioner has downplayed any connection between the grand jury testimony and Suiter's murder in the media.  Suiter was not charged in the indictment. He was believed to be giving testimony on police corruption and drug shakedowns.  That could cause some cracks in that thin blue line we hear so much about.  However there are so many things that stink about this shooting.  Here are some of the details of how it went down:

On November 15 Detective Suiter and his partner (who hasn't been named) were at the scene of a triple homicide when they noticed a "suspicious" man in a vacant lot - they approached him, there reportedly is video surveillance of the approaching officers.  At some point a struggle ensued between Suiter and the killer and he was shot once in the head.  It is believed he was shot with his own service revolver.  How is it a suspicious man was able to disarm a seasoned officer with his partner right there?  Also more perplexing is there isn't a really good description of the shooter and you would think his partner would have gotten a real good look at the man who killed his partner.  All he's been able to give in the way of a description is the generic black male with a black jacket with a white stripe.  Gee, thanks partner.

The whole thing stinks.  Did Suiter and his partner have their body cameras operating at the time the approached this man?  If he was so suspicious, they should have.  I also can't understand how the man was able to elude Suiter's partner after the "struggle" and shooting.  Partners are like married people - they watch each other's back each and every day so how did Mr. Suspicious get away?

I don't know if Suiter left behind a wife, but he has 5 children who will now be without their father.  Baltimore is a dangerous place for sure.  But when the Police Commissioner says that it would be "entirely plausible" that this was a random shooting is ludicrous to me.  Come on Commissioner, do you really believe that?  Officers put their lives in great danger every day they go out on the streets.  But during the daylight hours and with a partner he should have been much safer.  I want to know a lot more about this case because something is definitely rotten in Denmark/Baltimore.

More details as they become available.  RIP Detective Sean Suiter.

Photo credit: Baltimore PD

New Court Documents Claim Jose Baez Knew Casey Anthony Killed 2 Year Old Daughter Caylee

We knew Casey HAD TO BE INVOLVED in Caylee's disappearance/death.  I was shocked at the complete acquittal on all serious charges - how is not reporting your 2 year old as missing for 31 days NOT considered child abuse?  Perhaps even gross child abuse?  According to the jurors, they could not get past the fact that the prosecution could not say with absolute certainty when or how Caylee Anthony died.  The jurors couldn't even say for certain she was murdered.

One thing is certain - Casey Anthony knows what happened and she escaped justice due to the time it took to recover little Caylee's corpse.  This case was just jaw dropping - people could not imagine their 2 year old child missing for 10 minutes let alone a month without calling in a cavalry for help!  The State of Florida appeared to have a strong case, albeit much of it was seen as circumstantial and some of the evidentiary methods used were not previously used in a court of law - allowing some jurors simply to dismiss the results as "junk science".  I'm talking about that little can of air taken from the trunk of Casey's abandoned car - the car that reeked of decomposition and was sent to an expert in extracting chemicals from air samples.  

Arpad Vass was the expert witness for the prosecution who testified to the content of the sealed air sample from the trunk.  When he opened the can he immediately jumped back due to the strong decomposition odor.  Massive amounts of the chemicals found in chloroform were also detected.  Defense attorney dismissed this information as junk science because Vass is attempting to patent his air sample device. Vass isn't just some ambitious inventor.  He's a senior research scientist at the infamous "body farm".  If you are unfamiliar with the body farm, it's a place where dead bodies are studied for rates of decomposition under various circumstances.  This assists law enforcement and coroners on narrowing a time of death in these type of cases.

Nobody expected Jose Baez to win this case - he had never had a death penalty case to defend so he paired up with the more seasoned and experienced Chaney Mason.  Their real goal was to save Casey from the death penalty.  I don't think anyone expected them to gain a full acquittal.  I think they were just as surprised as the millions watching the verdict when the "not guilty" was read over and over and over.  Sickening.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  The jury just was so hung up on the cause of death.  Should a murder defendant get a pass because they did a good job at hiding a body?  She actually did a terrible job at hiding the body, because she tossed it just blocks from her own home, wrapped in blankets from her own crib!

Now to the shocking news.  According to newly released court documents related to her bankruptcy case contained some shocking information about what defense lawyer Jose Baez knew about Caylee's death.  The Anthony's hired a private investigator named Dominic Casey who claims Jose Baez told him that Casey had killed Caylee and she was desperate to frame an innocent person for the crime.  Dominic Casey further claims he was forbidden from discussing Casey's involvement in the crime and why she used the duct tape (?).  I've had my own theories on the duct tape that vary greatly from what prosecutor Jeff Ashton suggested at trial.  Ashton told the jury he believed the duct tape was placed over Caylee's nose and mouth in an attempt to stop her from breathing.  I've always thought Casey had the kidnapping idea planned out and many kidnap victims are found with duct tape on their mouths.  Call it the staging of the scene.

I've also always believed the Anthony's knew their daughter was responsible for their beloved granddaughter's death.  In the beginning, Cindy Anthony was furious with her daughter but had to pull back her rage to try to solicit information from Casey about where Caylee might be.  But she knew, she had to know Casey was a world class liar ad thief.  Too many lies and inconsistencies in her story.  Here are some juicy tid bids from website "Sword & Scale":

From Sword & Scale

From Sword & Scale

Unfortunately double jeopardy prevents the state of Florida from going after Casey Anthony again. What a shame.  She ruined the lives of her family - her parents were heartbroken over the loss of Caylee, more so than Casey seemed to be.  However Cindy apparently had a change of heart when the trial began because it was fairly obvious she was perjuring herself on the witness stand about who was on the family computer doing chloroform searches.  Cindy says it was her, not Casey.  The prosecution brought in people from human resources where Cindy was working at the time in question when the searches were being done from the Hopespring Drive computer - and clearly Cindy was at work!  She was logged into her computer and doing work.  Prosecutors apparently decided not to prosecute her for her blatant lie.

Perhaps (besides Caylee) the biggest victim in this trial ended up being George Anthony - who Baez and Co. threw under the bus, backed over him and hit him again.  The sexual abuse claims from Team Casey were so outlandish and I don't see how the jury even put any stock into that theory.  If they watched the jailhouse video visits between the two you can tell Casey and George had a good father daughter relationship.

One last tidbid - I have no idea if this is true but I've heard it multiple times that Casey paid for her legal fees with sex with Jose Baez.  Could it be true?  Stranger things have happened.  RIP little Caylee - I'm sorry your mother threw you away like trash.  You deserved much better and had so many people who loved and adored you.  You won't be forgotten and maybe someday your mom will tell the truth about what she did to you.

Martin Martinez in Courtoom Today - Prosecutors Will Seek Death Penalty

Martin Martinez / Dr. Amanda Crews

Central Valley TV

It was reportedly a "routine" court appearance today by mass murder defendant Martin "Marty" Martinez of Modesto, CA.  He is facing two murder trials for allegedly killing 2 adults and 4 children.  The first murder charge is related to the 2014 death of Martinez's former girlfriend Dr. Amanda Crews' 2 year old son Christopher Ripley, who suffered a traumatic brain injury that was determined to be deliberate by pathologists.

Martinez was watching the child for his girlfriend when the injury occurred and he gave law enforcement several stories of how the child was injured.  It was ultimately determined to be a homicide and child abuse and Martinez was days away from being arrested in that case when the July 2015 mass murders occurred.  Nobody knows if Martinez was aware an arrest was imminent, however the Modesto Police Department claims very few people were aware of this information.

When Christopher Ripley died in 2014, Amanda was initially supportive of Martin Martinez and was supporting his innocence.  She even went as far as to hire a defense attorney for him.  However she was a physician - at some point her opinion may have began to waiver and doubts about her boyfriend may have started to surface.  Amanda had a 4 year old daughter living with her as well, and for the child's welfare and safety Martinez was ordered to vacate the home he was sharing with Amanda and her children by CPS and a protective order was granted.

Elizabeth & Christopher Ripley

The million dollar question remains:  what caused him to go over the edge and kill 5 innocent people?  Did some sort of fight ensue between the two?  I don't know much about when the crime occurred but the bodies were discovered after a police welfare check was conducted on Saturday, July 18, 2015.  The welfare check was conducted after Amanda and her daughter failed to show up to a planned outing on Saturday.  Police were met with a heartbreaking scene.  It has to be haunting to discover a 6 month old baby deceased as well as 4 and 6 year old girls - and two female adults.

The Modesto Police Department has been tight lipped about this case.  I don't know if the family was killed on Friday or Saturday.  The only details I've located in court documents is that a knife was used on the two adult females - one of which was Martinez's own mother.  Who would have thought a visit with your 6 month old granddaughter would put you at risk of becoming a homicide victim?  There has been talk of domestic violence between Martin & Amanda although nothing was reported to law enforcement.  Amanda's twin sister Kimberley will likely be a key prosecution witness when the trial starts as she witnessed one incident in which Martin became violent with her sister.

The July 2015 case is likely to be tried first - the State is seeking the death penalty in that case.  The State may combine the two cases but nothing has yet been decided on the matter.  No date has been set for Christopher's murder trial.  As with death penalty cases, this is likely to be dragged out in court for a long time through delays, continuances, conflicts with expert witness schedules etc.  When you are asking for the ultimate punishment the case must be appeal proof.  The last thing you want is a mistrial as this trial is likely to last a long while and cost taxpayers a fortune. Then there are the automatic appeals if he gets the death penalty.  It's unreal how long people in California actually sit on death row before ever being executed.  In fact, many are more likely to die of natural causes before their death warrant is ever served.


This case is such a mystery. The Modesto PD has done a great job keeping crime scene details out of the media. I can't imagine this is going to be anything less than torture for Amanda's family to sit through.  With this many alleged murders committed by one person, I don't see much likelihood of the DA pursuing a plea agreement - life without parole in exchange for guilty plea and waiving all appeals.  I don't believe that's a deal anyone would want to make but you never know.  The family usually has input and I don't know how they would feel about a plea.  I get the feeling Amanda's twin sister wants justice, and Amanda's ex husband deserves justice as well for Martinez taking away his two precious children.

There is NO punishment that fits this crime.  It's just unthinkable - he even (allegedly) killed his own mother.  That takes a special kind of monster who should never walk among us ever again!

Jodi Arias Appellate Fund continues to take donations

We haven't heard the last from Jodi Arias.  As we are well aware from her social media campaigns since her arrest back in 2008, the Facebook page on her appellate fund states it has raised over $110,000 as of August of 2017.  From what her site states, the funds will only be used for costs associated with her appeal(s) and legal fees. Rumor has it Arias has hired a private investigator named Dorian Bonds, who aside from an initial retainer fee that was paid he has not received additional payment for his work. His focus allegedly is mistakes made by Arias original trial attorneys (Kirk Nurmi must wish he never met Jodi Arias).

Dorian Bond PI

Interestingly enough, there is a multi-page document online related to her case in which there are over 800 entries requesting various trial and court transcripts.  I'm not sure what this all means, but the document does list her attorneys:  Ms. Cory Engle (General Practice, Maricopa Public Defender) who has been in practice for 17 years and Margaret M. Green (licensed for 30 years, Maricopa County Public Defender, Appellate Division).  If the two attorneys listed on the Court of Appeal document, it would appear Ms. Arias is once again getting a free legal team to handle her appeal.  What is the appellate fund for and what can it legally be used for?

http://apps.supremecourt.az.gov/aacc/appella/1CA/CR/CR150302.PDF

Will she be able to use the funds to "hire" expert witnesses and private investigators?  The attorneys in the public defender's office are paid by the taxpayers - it seems a little misleading if not outright shady to have an appellate fund and then have public defender office attorneys working for you.  But then again, we are talking about Jodi Arias.  Nothing about this woman surprises me.  If there is a legal loophole to be found, she will find a way to wiggle her way through it.  How many millions of dollars will be spent appealing her conviction?

The document I just viewed is probably 20 pages long and appears to mostly be a request for documents, court transcripts and corrections to the record.  I am not familiar with how appeals work, but I'd imagine this is the beginning of her attorneys getting up to speed on her trial and looking for potential trial errors that were made by the prosecutor, judge and her own attorneys.  The only way Arias gets out of her life sentence is if they are able to find new evidence that wasn't available at the time of her trial that may have swayed the jury in a different direction.  Trial errors could also potential being troublesome, but I believe Judge Sherry Stephens allowed Arias' defense so much latitude they will be hard pressed to find problems with her rulings.

The problem with Arias' trial is her own testimony and her reluctant defense witnesses.  The only people who testified in any meaningful way (aside from Arias herself) were Alyce LaViolette and Dr. Richard Geffen, who was pretty much crushed by Prosecutor Juan Martinez on cross examination on his one sided study of Jodi Arias.  LaViolette, although once a well respected spokeswoman for domestic violence suffered a big hit on her credibility when she took the stand and concluded that murder victim Travis Alexander was emotionally and physically abusive to Jodi Arias.  She drew all of her conclusions from stories told by the woman at the center of it all - Jodi.  She failed to interview any of Travis' friends or family members.  She took what Jodi told her as the gospel and this is a mistake in any fair and equitable evaluation.

I don't believe there has ever been a trial like the Arias trial - I certainly haven't seen or heard of one where there was so much evidence of guilt and physical evidence left behind.  Add to that the well planned alibi and road trip to Utah, the gas can purchases and the mysterious gun theft from the very home Arias was staying at, and it's not hard to put this puzzle together.  Jodi Arias didn't do herself any favors by getting on television at every opportunity and telling differing stories of what happened.  First an outright denial; "I was nowhere near Arizona".  Then, "I wouldn't do that to him, I wouldn't hurt Travis".  While in custody the following day, Arias' story changed to "I was there, but I didn't kill Travis.  It was 2 masked people, a man and a woman.  It was obvious they were there for him".  Did she really expect that to ring true, that they would decide to let a witness live given the extent of the violence that occurred in that home?

Jodi Arias really doesn't stand much of a chance of overturning the guilty verdict.  I know they have already tried for prosecutorial misconduct, Arias has turned on the very attorney she begged the court to remain on as her counsel once he left the public defender's office.  She knows how to manipulate situations, but in my opinion she did receive a fair trial.  Any pre trial publicity that she now complains of was brought on by her.  She courted the press, she loved being in front of that camera.  She somehow managed to send her thoughts via Twitter from behind bars and communicated with the public using people on the outside to write posts for her.

Considering the carnage she left behind at Travis' house and the pain she inflicted on his friends and family, she should consider the life sentence a gift.  She narrowly escaped the death penalty.