(This post was in response to a comment. One comment too many for me.)
Snarky usually has a component of wit. That was just… making fun of a child followed by an attack on a man who is just doing his job. He didn’t ask to be on TV and picked apart, and in fact HE CAN”T QUIT HIS JOB, so he has to show up every day, knowing that people are going to mock him for his weight and despise him because he is defending someone who is clearly guilty.
So let’s think of the alternative. NO ONE WANTS TO DEFEND JODI. Perhaps if she was in Hollywood where being on camera meant something. Some dickhead atty would. Now we have this guy, “HE DEFENDS CHILD MOLESTERS!” Let’s just fuck him over, and destroy him, and his wife and children if he has any. Let’s call in death threats because clearly his kids don’t deserve a horrible father whose job is … to defend people in court.
Let me tell you a little story about my friend Greg. He was accused of being a child molester. He was a teacher at my school. It was CRCT week (google it) so everything was highly monitored, there was a no hall pass rule. Children could not go to the bathroom without a monitor. A child who did not speak English and who was not old enough to tell time, picked him out of a picture line up ( can we use your picture as a decoy picture?) on her SECOND TRY. She told the cops she was molested in a bathroom at 8:07am or a similar precise time in a monitored bathroom. His computer clearly showed he was online in his office. Dozens of his colleagues showed up every day in support. IT.WAS. AN.INSANE ALLEGATION. Sadly, the child was abused by someone
His picture was all over the local news. CHILD MOLESTER! He immediately lost his job forever even after being cleared..
He had a lawyer that defended “child molesters”. He was eventually cleared after losing his career forever, being humiliated on TV, and eventually apologized to. He was engaged at the time and she stood by him while his “CHILD MOLESTING DEFENSE ATTORNEY” defended him while our entire school was devastated knowing that IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR A CHILD TO BE UNSUPERVISED DURING THIS TIME!
We certainly were not mocking the appearance of the defense attorney defending a “child molester” we were praying he knew what the fuck he was doing. We knew the defendant, loved him, trusted him and knew beyond ten shadows of a doubt he was falsely accused.
So Nurmi defends PEOPLE CHARGED WITH SEXUAL OFFENSES. My friend was randomly chosen because the five year old child could not admit it was a family member. We all thanked GOD for his defense atty. His life has never been the same. He was exonerated but he had his pic put on TV as a child molester. At random for nothing he did.
So I am offended at all of you who make personal attacks on Nurmi and Willmott. I personally think you are all a heartbeat away from the scum who makes death threats. It sickens me. I’ve tried to stay quiet because I like the views. I feel bad about that. I should have been more forceful in my disgust earlier. Get off your goddamn high horses and understand that DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE THE ONES WHO WILL DEFEND YOU! I KNOW! IT IS HAPPENING TO ME NOW! If it were not for donations to my legal fund, I don’t know what I would do
Defense attorneys DEFEND PEOPLE. I have one RIGHT NOW that is defending me over stupid shit a self-absorbed fired housewife likes to take to court with no basis. My atty is known for defending innocent people in bad situations. Thank god she wins. Without defense attorneys there would be no one to defend you if YOU were charged with a horrible thing.
I’ve seen no one saying Juan is a short little fuck or that Flores is fat. You guys make very personal attacks on people who are just doing their goddamn job. The fact we can all see Jodi is guilty AFTER WATCHING THE TRIAL is irrelevant. Without representation, we could not convict her. HER ATTYS CANNOT QUIT. Did you know that? They have to do their best while everyone mocks them on social media.
Aren’t you glad your job isn’t to protect the falsely accused? Because sometimes they have to represent the bad guys and do their very best to get them off whether they believe it or not, So shut the fuck up about their personal appearance. Yes Nurmi is mind numbingly boring. He has some control over that. He’s also ineffectual did I mention boring as FUCK? And Willmott’s high pitched voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Neither seem to know what they are doing. BUT SOMEONE HAS TO DO IT. And all the good people managed to get out of it. You know, just like people try to get out of jury duty
So stop it already!
You could have made the same point without all the filthy language disgraceful
Agreed!
Tamara, point well made!
Jackie, if you don’t like the language that this blogger uses, don’t hang around. Her blog, her language, her choice… not yours!
I apologize that my snarky comments offended you. Since my attorney husband is sleeping, I will be forced to mount my own defense:
1: copy of what you wrote earlier:
Also NO GENTLE REMINDERS FOR THURSDAY! Since we only have one (hot) witness left… y’all can just go wild with the meanesss, personal attacks and general craziness. It’s time to blow off some steam up in here!
2: the boy involved in the story was my step brother. At the time, we were living on a farm with no running water. It was easy for all if us to be a mark…to ease my frustration about things, I often poke fun at them. If it was offensive to you, I apologize…it was far more offensive to me at the time I am sure. It is far easier for me to laugh at things than lose my mind!
3. As the wife of an attorney, TRUST ME, I know what attorneys of all types must endure…and their families! Look back at my prior posts and you will read that I have defended Nurmi even more than I have commented on his general style. I believe I noted in a prior post that he has attempted to withdraw from this case not less than FOUR TIMES and has been ORDERED to continue! The price to the state, the TRUE VICTIMS and others should he NOT WIN, is a LENGTHY & EXPENSIVE APPEALS PROCESS due to INEFFECTIVE COUNSEL! My comment was on a GOSSIP BLOG, not a phone call to his home, a letter sent to his office, not did it contain any threat to his health, well being or general welfare. At no time did I imply or incite that any one harm or injure this attorney.
4. My comments in no way reflected the work product or effectiveness of your own personal counsel.
5. This is a GOSSIP blog. One would expect snarky comments on a gossip blog. Websites such as websleuth.com are aimed at a LEGAL audience not a gossip audience. The audience of this particular blog, does not carry a heavy presence in the Phoenix metroplex, therefore my comments would not be likely to taint the jury diberations and were made under my right to free speech. It is your right as moderator/administrator to delete, snip or otherwise administer comments made on your blog.
I apologize to anyone I may have offended. I would suggest that in the future you do not want folks to “go wild with meanness and personal attacks” that you do not give permission to do so, as it only tends to irritate you and humiliate the offender.
Those folks who I have been blessed to have personal conversations with know how to contact me.
Defense rests.
In case you stop by: Your comments & stories contributed to the texture that attracted me to these threads. It was me (not you) & my idiotically gleeful response to the Nurmi’s Button riff (I’ve read my words, find them revolting & sincerely apologize to all!)
Your voice is valuable & belongs here. I’m a newbee, who has only dared comment on 1 other blog (re: Palin & Steubenville) and, re: Nurmi’s Button, channeled my evil twin. I admit to having a love of caricature (in both visual & written form) & to, sometimes, reading the blog to hear the sheer poetry of the exchange. Also, some days, this case makes me crave comic relief (but so over-the-top, I was, at another human being’s expense. What an a**ho**!) In short, my bad, not yours, vocalvapor. I hope you’re on a break & don’t stay away.
Holy shitballs TamaraTattles. You must be drinking tequilla. (I get like that with tequilla) Settle down friend before you stroke out. Although I’m guilty of making a sarcastic comment (or2) about the defense team, I couldn’t agree with you more. I am actually fairly new to the whole twitter “experience”, but it has become painfully clear that this anonymity allows many, many people to spew a lot of mean, evil and vile things things out there that I am guessing they are able to contain during their regular day-to-day lives. It is actually quite a scary insight into our humanity.
There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Jodi Arias is guilty of premeditated 1st degree murder of Travis Alexander. None whatsoever. And I desperately want to smack the shit out of Nurmi, Willmott and CrazyJodi on almost a daily basis. But I also know that they are public defenders who have a job to do. Thank God there are people who do it because there are LOTS of innocent people ACCUSED of crimes that they really DID NOT commit. Poor Nurmi has been trying to get off this case almost since the beginning. He is a Big Poppa, and Willmott is a squeaky spaz, but the only person involved in this trial in ANY way who deserves to be threatened with death is the killer. I have even seen people on the #JodiArias twitter page wishing death on each other…and they are on the same side as each other. I have seen racial slurs and pure HATE posted to people they don’t even know. It is remarkable. There are others putting home addresses and phone #s of people out there because they disagree with someone’s opinion. They are slandering the families of Jodi AND Travis…and apparently the lawyers, witnesses, judge, and anyone else they can get info on. It is extremely disheartening to see such blatant hatred.
So just wanted to give you a pat on the back for putting your heart out there on your sleeve, and give some encouragement that we aren’t ALL bad. Go unwad your panties and get some sleep. There will be plenty more to get your BP up about tomorrow.
Well, I was just popping in this morning to see if you’d put a new post up Tamara and to let you know how much fun I’ve been having reading your blog posts. They’re informative but also have a nice touch of humor to them. I know you have a lot of regulars so, as a non-regular who found you while looking for trial info, I appreciate being welcomed here.
As for the snarky comments, I think people have so much anger right now and also, a lot of fear that we’re going to see another Casey Anthony outcome. Does that make all the insults okay? No, it doesn’t. But people feel safe saying things on the internet that they would never say in person. They see it as a way to blow off steam or put into words things they may think out of anger.
As a blogger myself (with MUCH less readers than you have!) I know how much time and effort goes into putting a post up so, at the end of the day, it is YOUR blog and you have every right to ask people to play nice!
Again, thank you for all your wonderful posts. I’m really hoping you continue blog about upcoming trials…Oscar Pistorius next maybe?
Ria – you hit the nail on the head: our anger at what Jodi Arias did combined w/our fear of another Casey Anthony outcome.
I totally agree with you, Tamara. And I am very glad you wrote this post. I do have respect for Ms. Wilmott and Mr. Nurmi because they are indeed doing their jobs to the best of their abilities, especially given what they have to work with; this may be for each one of the most challenging cases of their careers.
The other day when Mr. Nurmi was cross-examining Ms. Reed, he knew the questions are discomforting, and he graciously said so. Martinez, doing his job on point, objected. I thought to myself that Nurmi does have a warm way about him. I had wanted to post this earlier but didn’t feel like getting attacked.
Dilister…well said! I have remained mostly silent about this whole circus as I’m not drawing the same opinion as the general public seems to be. I’m not a fan of Jodi, by no means, however, I don’t hate the defense team at all. That’s not a popular opinion.
Thank you so much, Rose! I think that if anyone deserves open disgust and ire from the public, it is this defendant because it is a known fact that she brutally murdered him when all she had to do was wash her hands of him, walk away, write/draw and cry out the hurt and move on, avowing to herself she will never be anyone else’s “three-hole wonder.”
Indeed, you’re right about that. She deserves the public outcry…over to be devil’s advocate for a sec…she’s a borderline personality..that comes with its own ball of crazy wax. People like TA would be drawn to her…chaos comes with borderline folks..can make you nuts just being around them. Because she’s borderline..she was unable to wash her hands, walk away, etc. Ultimately though, TA kept allowing her back in! He’d gotten rid of her yet she wormed her way in somehow. TA paid the ultimate price.
I hope this shows up at the right place. Rose Chimera, you speak such wisdom. Thank you for reminding me about the BP disorder. I feel you are correct.
Now: this leads to an interesting question — does JA’s BP disorder give her the right to not be condemned to death for her actions? I’d love some thoughts on this.
Thank you, Rose!
BPD is not insanity or a low IQ…(either of those would rule out death penalty) BPD is run of the mill crazy and doesn’t get you out of the death penalty. Also plenty of people with BPD are not psychopaths or sociopaths. Jodi has a multitude of mental health issues but is not legally insane.
Wow! I have not posted anything about Nurmi or JW’s appearance. You have it wrong Tamara, people are outraged at the “way” Nurmi and JW have MURDERED Travis all over again. That my dear, was NOT NECESSARY. Nurmi asking Deanna if Travis ever “shot load on her face” WAS NOT NECESSARY!!!!! People are outraged at their unethical behavior representing JA. In your example above with the teacher you are comparing apples to oranges! I hardly doubt your friend’s attorney defended your teacher friend by assaulting the child all over again who obviously had major issues to falsely accuse a teacher of molestation. I don’t think if you had a brother or sister that was BRUTALLY attacked you would be so self righteous on defense attorney’s if they BRUTALLY attacked your siblings character in the way this defense team has done to Travis and his friends! Lastly, I will say this, we all have to stalk of our own moral compass. There have been plenty of times in my career where a boss has asked me to do something unethical that I felt conflicted with my own moral compass and refused!!! Nurmi and JW have CHOSEN their course of conduct which has been unprofessional/unethical and even other defense attorneys have called them out for it! THAT WAS THEIR CHOICE! Very disappointed with your rant….
Oh and by the way, why is it ok for the defense team to trash Travis day in and day out but other’s can’t give the defense team a taste of their own medicine! Ok, so by your standards, ok for Travis to be viciously attacked, the VICTIM in this case, but by GOD, no one better say a word about Nurmi and JW, because they are only doing their job! Nice logic….
No what Tamara has said is she is sick of people being bullies to them or making fun of their clothes or appearances. As defense attorney’s who believe their client, that is what they would do. And many many people do believe she was abused. I do not. But for them to be effective as her attorney’s they have to do their job otherwise Jodi could easily appeal due to her attorneys not doing their jobs.
We will have to agree to disagree :o). There are other strategies to use to defend someone of a heinous crime. This defense CHOSE to murder Travis again, again, again, again and again.
Nurmi asking those questions of the what the public view as an angel was necessary to show the different way Travis treated Jodi. Remember, Wilmot’s opening statement wherein she said “Jodi was Travis’ dirty little secret.” Nurmi was just trying to show that by asking those questions. I really don’t see Travis as an angel…nor do I see him as a sexual deviant, however, there was two sides to him that his friends didn’t see. Did Jodi bring that out in him? Probably. The point though is the defense is merely doing their job and trying to show the different side of Travis to the jury. Its always a very slippery slope to put the “victim” on trial though its not rare. Travis wasn’t innocent in all this…I think that’s all the defense is trying to show. For the record though….no, he didn’t deserve to die and no he didn’t deserve to die THAT way.
The ONLY person in the whole trial who has said Travis had these ‘bad’ qualities is JA. I think the reason the defense can’t call her family to the stand is b/c it would further damage JA’s defense. Sad, sad , sad. If JA said that the sun was shining (it is) I would get up and look outside to see.
That may be true, that JA is the only one who has said these things BUT that doesn’t make it false. Lots of people, TA included lead double lives. All his friends have one view/perspective of TA however, we heard him on audio tapes/phone calls and his texts which clearly show he was different with JA…a side his friends never saw. That’s a fact.
Carefully edited in favor of JA. Also, JA hacked TA’s accounts, no proof that it wasn’t JA sending herself messages from TA’s accounts. JA is master manipulator.
Totally like. Also might add the challenge of the trial being broadcast on TV. Most of us wouldn’t know the details we do if this wasn’t televised. I am glad we got to see it all because I am fascinated by the strategy and “:theater” of a criminal trial but I am sorry for the Alexander family as we can’t un=hear personal and graphic information about their brother.
I wonder if it wasn’t televised if the whole scenario would have been calmer overall. I don’t like the expert witnesses being torn apart by the general public who really know nothing about psychology, the testing involved, how its not a black and white science, etc. There is really no reason for virtual strangers to attack the witnesses–for example to go so far as deliberately putting negative comments on Alyce’s book on Amazon to prevent sales is down right petty and childish. Made me feel bad for her overall. It IS definitely a hardship to TA’s family to hear the gruesome details of his private life with JA; I can’t even imagine what the impact is/was looking that crime scene photos. As you said you can’t unhear info and they will never unsee those pics.
WHOA!!! Since I’m not a name caller in general I know that I haven’t said a lot about the defense lawyers. I DID post that KN had a practice defending child abusers. I left a couple of other sites before you started posting on this trial because of name calling. It became impossible to have a cogent conversation so I appreciate your rules. I am happy here and I have enjoyed the vocalvaors posts so I hope today’s post does not mean she is exiting.Most people resent the defense’s decision to essentially murder Travis again by destroying his reputation in death.
Attacking style is much different than personal attacks regarding a person’s weight or appearance in general. We all feel Nurmi’s examination style is grating and painfully slow. This has nothing to do with his appearance. I appreciate TT’s comments. Thankfully I have never had the need for a defence attorney. My issue is with high profile attorney’s whose only purpose is to get a guilty person off, such as O.J. Simpson or Casey Anthony. I don’t know how they sleep at night.
Babsdeaner, I don’t think they all sleep at night comfortably. I know many defense attorneys lay awake at night wondering if they are doing the right thing–morally. However, everyone is entitled to a defense, even the monsters among us. Sometimes the job is ugly, sometimes a defense attorney gets a client who in fact is innocent. Those are the ones who keep the defense attorney going back to court day after day. Because not all of those accused are in fact guilty. That’s how they sleep at night.
Good lord people. It’s Tamara’s blog and she has said quite a few times to knock off the degrading names etc. She didn’t ask for More excuses. Either abide by her request or go talk somewhere else, it’s simple. And Tamara – delete comments that are slanderous or vulgar if you have to.
99% of us are on Travis’s, Juan’s, and Flores’ side. No one needs to explain the actual victimization here. Lighten up already on all acocounts. Share observations and insights (wow Juan showed Jodi had blond hair in May AND the day she rented the car but her narcisstic self just had to take pictures of her newly brown hair in the middle of her road trip!!?! Huge~) but there’s already enough negativity perpetrated by Jodi.
Tamara,
I agree with your statement because i have seen a double standard in this case pertaining to comments. Your example of no one EVER making fun of Martinez is spot on. Its why i have commented less lately because this is a trial, not a witch hunt. In fact, i think the hatred is downright scary at times.
And i totally agree with the poster who says that our united hatred and frustration over Casey Anthony has a lot to do with the reaction over this case.
Lets says Martinez was Jodi’s attorney……I bet people wouldnt be lovin his “style”……….but because he is the prosecutor he is untouchable, the golden boy.
The truth is a lot of judges would never allow Martinez to act the way he does in their courtrooms.
Not one person made the observation how Demarte was biting her lip constantly and was obviously seething right below the surface while being questioned by Wilmot. Nor did anyone say anything about her padding her resume by adding years when she was not lisensed.
I have tried to be objective watching this trial and as Tamara talked about above, i often wonder how scary it would be , to be an innocent person at trial like her co-worker.
I have to add my 2 cents worth…I agree 100% with you that Nurmi and Willmott are only doing their jobs, a job none of us would surely want. I am guilty as charged, I have snickered at the snide remarks and pictures of them, maybe even shared a funny picture or 2, so I will accept my punishment for that. As a fellow attorney who has been involved in the criminal system (in a professional, not personal capacity), I have the utmost respect for the defense team, although I do question some of their tactics/origins of Jodi’s “stories”. But the picture above is a caricature, one of a collection of caricatures of all parties involved in the trial. Nurmi was not singled out with this one. Whoever the artist is, he or she excluded no one, even the judge has one.
Because I want to see justice for Travis and his family, maybe that makes me a hater. I know I have been called one (along with a few other names) for the simple reason that I have the “audacity” to ask a simple question to someone who is “pro Jodi.” I have not called anyone supporting due process or Jodi Arias names, nor will I stoop to that level. I have not called the defense team names, only expressed my Monday morning QB opinions and occasionally whined at Nurmi’s pace or Willmott’s delivery.
I have seen repeated references to Juan Martinez as “kermit the frog” and tweets making fun of his height. I have seen slanderous comments about the State’s psychologist/expert.
My point is there are people behaving badly, albeit different degrees of bad, across the board. Doesn’t excuse any of it. Death threats or attempts to destroy careers of anyone involved in this trial are reprehensible.
OK, I feel better now. Thanks for listening.
Tamara already clarified, but it’s nice to hear. No real sides are taken. She thinks Jodi is guilty of first degree, but no one is seen as an angel on the prosecution side.The only sympathetic figures are the family and maybe the poor jurors, from our perspective. More illustrations, if you are interested.
http://open.salon.com/blog/fernsy/2013/04/26/lauren_spitzbergs_illustrations_of_the_jodi_arias_trial_2
Thanks Lauren. I’m new to the site and really enjoying it. My comments were in general to what I am seeing across the board with social media and this case. I will definitely check out the link, thanks for the invite.
Thanks TT for setting boundaries. The defense is doing nothing but their job. They are defending a spawn of hell, and must try to eek some type of humanity out of their client’s worthless self. Would we like the defense more if they were hunks and babes -maybe. But they are just like the rest of us – normal people trying to make a living. Keep up the good work TT, I have enjoyed your posts and this site. Wishing you well in your endeavors, the case and cheers to a wonderful vaca!
Thank you! I was a juror on a high profile murder trial where I live. We found him guilty. But at no point, did I condemn his defense attorney for DOING HIS JOB! If everyone had done their jobs in 1989, we wouldn’t have The Central Park Five–for those who don’t know who they are, look up that case. They were five teenagers with shitty lawyers who were convicted of raping and beating a woman almost to death in Central Park, NY. THEY WERE INNOCENT! The police did a shoddy job. They were convicted in the press and the court of public opinion. The DA railroaded them AND THEIR LAWYERS SUCKED! One of their lawyer kept falling asleep. If they had a defense attorney like Arias has, or the guy we convicted had, they would never have been found guilty, spent a decade in prison and had their lived ruined until they were quietly exonerated in 2002, when the guy who really did it confessed.
I lovr your handle – I read with Karen’s voice in my head. Like what you said.
That’s *love*
Thanks! I loved Karen Walker!
Thank you for being the voice of reasoning! This is why I like your blog… you are an individual thinker who is not swayed by public opinion. I agree 100% with you.
First I’d like to say I feel this blog is a bit harsh and many may get hurt feelings after reading it. I hope they understand where you are coming from. Tamara see’s all the comments and has been this whole time. i don’t if anyone has read every comment since the trial began but I am sure tamara has read most of them. People often use the internet as a guard to talk bad about others. It gets old fast. I often don’t read to many comments on blogs because I can’t deal with the nastiness that many display on the internet. Everyone has their boiling point and it seems Tamara has reached hers. Being disgusted by tatics and such is one thing, but to personally attack them is a whole different thing. Everyone says a mean thing about someone at one point or another no one is perfect. But I try not to especially on the internet where hate is often displayed. I hope you feel better Tamara after ranting YOUR feelings on YOUR blog since many others have done so for many weeks now. I enjoy your blog; I don’t have time to watch everything I want and your updates and takes on things keep me in the loop, thank you for all you do.
Like
Indeed! Stop it already! Thank you for posting this! I work for a defense attorney–have for 15 years–we get those folks accused of anything from drug uses to molestation to rape and even to murder. Are they are guilty? Maybe but that’s almost irrelevant given that the Constitution gives EVERYONE the right to a defense.
Defense attorneys are always hated UNTIL you need one. That’s been my experience. As if by association the defense attorney is scum by the very nature of their job.
I have been watching the trial and honestly, Martinez makes me grit my teeth often. Must he yell so much? To make up for his short stature? It is not necessary to badger the witnesses or try to make them appear as if they are hiding something.I have not read one piece of nastiness toward Juan, in fact the general public seems to view him as godlike. However, he too is just doing his job for the State of Arizona. Wilmott and Nurmi are on the SAME PAYROLL given that they were appointed. As you wrote, they cannot quit. I believe Nurmi even tried to get off the case a while ago but it was denied. Do defense attorney’s like their clients? Not always. They have days where they dread going to work the same as some in the retail industry or fast food workers, etc.
I am tired of the personal attacks on the people who are merely doing their job! Its pathetic.
Rose, I agree with your comments regarding defense attorneys – indeed, it always seems like lawyers are “scum”…until someone needs one! However, I just wanted to clarify something in regard to your comments about the compensation in this trial. You are correct to point out that in the VAST majority of cases, publicly appointed attorneys are paid paltry sums in comparison to the huge amount of work they do. But, at least in Kirk Nurmi’s case, this is not true.
According to the legal minutes of the case, it is true that Nurmi requested to withdraw from the case at least three times, and was denied. His requests were seemingly based on the fact that he had left the public defender’s office, was starting a new firm, and the costs of the Arias defense would badly damage him financially (as it clearly would). While the judge did deny his withdrawal request, the court did attempt to mollify the situation by awarding Nurmi a “reasonable fee” of $225.00 an hour for his work. By my calculations, just for his trial work (52 days, approx. 6 hours per day) he has amassed an est. $70,000. I don’t make any judgments as to whether this is an appropriate fee or not, but I do want to point out that Juan Martinez has a publicly listed yearly salary of $140,000.
Murphy,
I wonder what Nurmi made annually as a public defender? Privately hired/paid defense attorneys would ask for $70,000 as a retainer in a case like this. As a former prosecutor it used to amaze me to know that in one criminal case the defense attorney’s fees in that case were more than my annual salary. I, too, am not making any judgments on the salaries, just some food for thought.
70k to sit there like that?
Tango, my reference to the 70k retainer was to the top notch criminal defense attorneys in my area. Trust me, they wouldn’t just sit there, they are very good. Not sure what Nurmi charges as a retainer, doubtful that’s advertised anywhere. Using this trial as an example of his defense work, what would you be willing to pay him as a retainer if you were charged with one of the unthinkable crimes he references on his website (sex crimes)?
I agree with you. He reminds me so much of a friend of mine. But I do love charicatures (sp???)
I agree. In the beginning I was posting quite a bit and even laughed at some of the clever nicknames given to people during the trial. But I’ve found myself not commenting as often because a lot of people have become so mean spirited its just not funny anymore. Thanks for saying something Tamara and I hope people really take to heart what you’ve said.
I am always perturbed by folks who are so righteous in their positions that those who don’t agree must have something wrong with them. It can be hard to accept that what looks black and white to you looks ivory and midnight blue to me.
Just I am irritated by the vilification of the defense, witnesses included, I am annoyed by the hyperbole about Juan Martinez. He is not the right hand of god sent down to smite Jodi Arias. He is a prosecutor doing his job, just saying.
I was forever lurking on the site because even if I don’t agree with her, I appreciate Tamara’s point of view and her humor. However, the intelligent and informative discussion of the trial lured me into watching and then posting. As more are engaging in the discussion, it is a PITA to scroll through 300 comments and have 200 be all “Jodi Arias is a perveted disease ridden whore”. We got the point by the 2nd comment. I think the old, ask yourself if my comment hasn’t been said eleventy billion times line needs to back in the pink.
Well allrighty then, can we get down to business. I like Tamara’s blog, so, I promise to do better. However, my frustration is mostly about how slow Nurmi speaks. He has at least two speeds. I wish he would put it in second gear more often. I’ve done a lot of public speaking. I’ve noticed he doesn’t refer to his notes very often. He seems to pull things out of his head/memory while he’s speaking….thus slowing his speech down to a pace .0001. He’s spending more time thinking than speaking. That has nothing to do with being forced to be there. I believe it’s simply a lack of preparation or a using a bad outline with not enough keywords.
That is simply how I feel.
Very interesting! My thought on his slow style is that he is trying not to bring about an “objection” from the prosecutor.
Unfortunately Dlister, Nurmi loses the jury in the process. I can’t see them, but, I’ll bet a few of them were fighting back the Zzzzz while he was speaking.
Thanks for this post Tamara. It is one of the main reasons I like your blog. So many of them spiral out of control with a “mob hate” mentality. The hate tends to replace intelligent commentary – and the blog can become worthless or destructive. Great post!
so that means in the fight for their client it was ok to accuse Travis on being a pedophile? With nothing more than jodis story to back it up? At what point does the search for the truth end and say anything to inflame begin?
Why are you assuming that the defense is trying to inflame rather than presenting a different picture than the one you paint? What you see as “slander”, others see as facts.
Omg thank you Tamara!! When the name calling starts its only because you have no argument or any intelligent thoughts! It’s annoying and childish! Yes the defense has slandered Travis Alexander’s name and character in this trial, but defense attorneys are known to play grimy in order to win cases and you will never understand this until you are fighting for your life in court and need one of those attorneys! After you get arrested for making death threats to Nurmi or Wilmott, who will you call to defend you in court? Not Juan Martinez, because he will be busy prosecuting you!
I’m confused. Are you saying that my sister’s illustration of Nurmi is wrong? You linked it a few days ago, so I’m not understanding.
I agree with you that defense attorneys have a very valuable job, but I think that they are not to required to win at all costs. There are very corrupt prosecutors and defense attorneys are the last defense against such abuses of power, yet very few practice criminal law out of idealism. I was mired in that system for 2 years, and learned that winning is rewarded with promotions for prosecutors, and bigger deals for defense attorneys. Self interest ruled the day, from what I saw and saw and saw. Anything to win, was the mentality of the prosecution, for sure. Then again, Carmen Trutanich is being investigated for this kind of lawlessness, so… it might be somewhat isolated.
I have a low opinion of prosecutors but also towards defense attorneys.I wanted to like the latter, but in L.A, the defense bar is a nightmare, since zealously advocating for one’s client will not benefit the defense lawyer there. Innocent people are getting railroaded left and right.
I met so many lawyers and not one was remotely decent.And, I’m easily satisfied. I’m sure there are good ones, but I just did not get lucky. I am actually biased in favor of the defense, in general(since my experience), but also can’t stand Nurmi and Wilmot. They just strike me as sort of repulsive, and that has nothing to do with their position as defense lawyers.I am convinced they are milking this for every dime, and the dirty talk by Nurmi seems cynical.I don’t have any special feeling for Martinez either, but his position is strong to me, because common sense tells me she committed first degree murder. My only real sympathy lies with Travis and his family. I also feel bad for the poor jurors. I would go bonkers by now.
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The person to whom I feel the most emnity , in this case, is the judge. She can do a million things to lessen the burden on the taxpayers, the jurors, and the Alexander family, and she doesn’t. I could go on but this comment is already long enough 😉
I do not think that Tamara has any problem with the illustrations, she was proud to share them with all of us. I don’t think any of us realize the impact of moderating everyone’s comments – it must be overwhelming. A very few poster can ruin the whole exchange of views for everyone. The illustrations are great.
I just wasn’t sure. I thought maybe she was saying that the illustration mocked Nurmi’s looks. Either way, I am thrilled that my sister’s illustrations are causing joy and laughter. Tommorow a second installment. Keep an eye out.
I love the pictures! Can’t wait for more! Thanks for allowing us to enjoy them! BTW, if you click lauren’s name it takes you right to her blog. Go read it. It’s awesome!
Lauren, I appreciate all you express above & find it thought-provoking. Also, like many others, I find your sister’s work skilled, incisive, sophisticated. Good caricature – whether in visual or written form – is hard to master &, I bet, a lifelong internship in both cases. I’m in awe. That Tamara mounts good caricature, here, alongside the written perspective & chat, said to me (from the beginning) that 1) she values caricature and it’s unique interpretation of human events and 2) feels that some degree of affinity exists between what caricature captures & what her blog attempts to capture. Kudos to your sister. Her work shines here.
As to the reply… Tamara offered a statement, today, that seemed well within her prerogative to make & incumbent upon us to consider. From what I’ve observed, most, if not all posters, here, grasp that free expression implies personal responsibility and are more than willing to give pause & recalibrate. On many occasions, I’ve followed w/interest as various posters have, on their own volition, reeled in one of their own comments for rethinking.
Tamara didn’t “out” anybody & I find that noteworthy. Why anyone, then, would presume to allude to “a very few poster[s who] can ruin the whole exchange for everyone” (as if the whole exchange was ruined and the self-appointed can flawlessly pinpoint the villains among them) is a horse of a different colour. This presumption, IMO, is us & them stuff and a passive-aggressive form of not-so-subtle censorship.
I worry that even one poster would be less than candid – one, perhaps, who has attempted caricature or, god forbid, dared (not to be deliberately offensive or irresponsible) but rather to hone his/her wit on the human events at hand. I’m so sad as I leave this blog. I’ve enjoyed the sparky mix & what I perceived as ultimate balance. Believe in it.
Just saw this. Thanks. I think that the die die stuff is too much, but part of me thinks that lawyers should be honest, and if not– mock away. I witnessed prosecutors lying and cheating to win, and sadly– few know how unethical some of them are, and how they have all the money and resources to win at all costs, against innocent people. Lawyers are sleazy as hell, on both sides. I’m writing a big post on expert witnesses because they too need to stop lying for money. Courts are a serious business, and too many greedy charlatans are allowed to lie and cheat. Do I have stories.
I’m of the mind that very bad people should be called out, because if not they are too free to harm more people.. Nurmi and Wilmott don’t need to allow so much lies, and to try to destroy the memory of Travis. Yet, I reserve my loathing for the Alyce’ and Samuels’s. They would as easily b.s against an innocent man, for the prosecution.
BTW, I’m the artist’s very proud sister. She hasn’t picked up a pencil in a long time, due to a legal nightmare of our own. Please, check out the second installment and like it on facebook, or share or whatever. I want to encourage her to draw all the HLN anchors next.
http://open.salon.com/blog/fernsy/2013/04/26/lauren_spitzbergs_illustrations_of_the_jodi_arias_trial_2
Thanks TT for doing this, I so appreciate your honesty and I agree with everything you said. I sit back and don’t post a lot because it has been hard to admit to seeing both sides and defending everyone’s right to a fair trial no matter how vile the defendant is (and she is!). Vocalvaper I don’t think you ever crossed the line, you have always tempered your remarks with wisdom from your attorney hubby. I know many of us would miss you if you left. Eve I believe you are my twin and I am glad you have been brave and provided a voice I can identify with. Tamara is providing us with a forum to discuss and vent – maybe even to find a small bit of humor in the dark circumstances of this trial but she is staying true to her values and experience. TT is also going through trying times of her own and she is generously sharing her experience with us. Steve I also appreciate having your thoughts and perspectives -hope you stick around I think we are all a mirror of the collective spirit of trial watchers and we are all stressed out. Imagine being on the Defense team – they know where they stand and what all the TV quarterbacks are saying. They still have to see it through to the end and all they can really hope for is no death penalty verdict. We can all get along – it’s just about respect and decency. We can also cut each other a break on a snarky day – just own it when you do. I hope we can all make it through to the end – we are almost there.
Thank you Linda ! I did stop posting mostly, but Im just too old to give a shit what people think…..lol
Also, i am not a professional but i have studied crime for over 40 years and have talked to many experts, professionals and historians. With that said, its the details that explain things and also fascinate me.
I get the outrage, I get hating Jodi, i do believe she premeditated the murder……but i will not ignore (during sentencing) how she got to be the way she is. Maybe Linda will agree…..but what kind of parents in the first few seconds of a police interview throw their daughter under the biggest bus of all? That is something a real mental health professional should be wondering about. Ok, i get she was a pain in the ass, heck she wins the obnoxious award…….they are sick of dealing with her……but they never did one damn thing to help her. Her friends pleaded with the parents to get her help……in one ear, out the other.
Same with Travis, i dont see it as trashing or kiling the victim again. Its part of what goes on in every trial, everyday. Some of the stuff about Travis is obviously a lie, other things not. There is NO way of presenting this case without talking about Travis.
Defense attorneys are supposed to vigirously defend this client…..they advise them, but ultimately its Jodi’s decision how to plead and what evidence to present. Its obvious like so many psycopaths before her….that she isnt listening now, nor has ever listened in the past.
The disgusting lies she has told about Travis will only help in putting her away forever or give her death.
You want to talk about trashing a victim? Read” In a Childs Name” by Peter Maas.
Eve, you are my sister from another mother. First thing I thought when I saw parent’s interview was wow they just abandoned their own daughter, did they even ask if she had a lawyer? Pretty cold and yes, Jodi might have had a much different life in better circumstances.Now the parents hang around and look for the book/interview deas.l.
OMG ! thats exactly what i think too…….Jodi’s mom is there hoping for a book deal.
Like Jose Baez, i wouldnt line my kitty litter boxes with a book of hers.
Hi Eve: Regarding your comment “what kind of parents in the first few seconds of a police interview throw their daughter under the biggest bus of all? That is something a real mental health professional should be wondering about. Ok, i get she was a pain in the ass, heck she wins the obnoxious award…….they are sick of dealing with her……but they never did one damn thing to help her. Her friends pleaded with the parents to get her help……in one ear, out the other.”
I saw the interview with JA mom, and she did say that they tried to get her help, but she wasn’t living at home with them, she was an adult, and because she was an adult they couldn’t force her into treatment of any kind. She knew JA had issues, and so they talked her into moving back to Yreka so she would at least be closer to her family, and they could keep an eye on her. As a parent, it must be hard to watch your adult daughter going off the rails, and knowing there was really nothing you could do. The dad said he asked her if she had ever considered that she might be bi-polar, but again, JA probably just got pissed and walked out.
I think JA mom was in shock during that police interview. Her mind must have been racing, thinking back over the years, and where she had failed as a parent. AT times she is in denial, saying she just couldn’t believe that Jodi could do something like the murder, but then she starts thinking back to what might have caused her to do such a thing, They tried the tough-love approach when the called the police on her, after they found the pot plant on the roof. I just don’t think it’s fair to blame the parents for what Jodi became. There was only so much they could do.
I just heard that Dr. Robert Geffner WILL be testifying at some point, I’m not sure when though. This is according to ABC news dot com.
I agree whole heartedly about the personal attacks on anyone doing their job. So unnecessary. Even a person with the skin of an elephant couldn’t endure the whole (cyber) world ridiculing their appearance, personality or intelligence. They have enough to worry about just trying to keep her from receiving the death penalty. Try carrying the weight of that on your back for 4+ months with the whole world watching all the while trying to juggle your own family and life problems. That doesn’t mean I agree with the defense or even like it one little bit. I personally hope she receives the death penalty.
Tamara, you just keep writing your blogs on any trial, or silly ass show (that I shamelesly watch and indulge in) and I’ll keep reading. I enjoy the fun & snarky comments and especially the informative ones on this trial.
We have to figure out which trial to follow next since this one is coming to a close!
Double standard much? Ok for you but not for anyone else?
Oooooh! JA is a mess today. JM has already discredited ALL of her testimony in just the first few minutes of the medical examiner’s testimony. Grandmama, I am one, is back in court. Dr. just said defensive injuries couldn’t have happened if bullet wound was first.
Hi Peach, look for today’s blog regarding the trial goings-on. It’s separate from this one. Wouldn’t want to miss your posts once everyone gets their ya-ya’s out regarding this string.
Ooops! Usually I’m wrong time, right place. Leave it to me to be right time, wrong place! I’ve had this bookmarked since the early morning.
As we’re on an extended break…
I appreciate TT’s statement, today, & hope I’ve understood it in the correct light, context, spirit. I make it a practice to wear only shoes that fit and, so, will review my personal style w/ TT’s statement in mind (imaging, after all, that that was her intent.) As I’ve said earlier this morning on another page, I’m not surprised TT reminds, at this time, to try to “be human against all odds” as this trial plays out.
However, re: “this string”: I daresay “holier than thou” by any other name still stinks the same. Maybe I just don’t get it, but seems, in much below, the baby’s being thrown out with the bathwater, when things might have gone otherwise: high-horses having met high-horses, we might have chosen to respectfully dismount. But, not so much.
Sorry to mix metaphors. I’m less than a novice. But one, who loves this blog, loves the commenters (of all styles & inclinations), loves this moderator.
First of all, I want to apologize to vocalvaper for making my rant seem as though I was specifically targeting her. I read every single comment that is submitted to this blog. After many, many days of this trial I simply reached my saturation point with the personal attacks toward Nurmi and Willmott. I’ve been reading stories about the death threats and the calls to people including the somewhat disturbing defense expert witnesses. VV’s comments were rather benign.
Secondly, I love the artist work of all the particpants in the trial. I had no idea anyone would assume I was referring to that.
Finally, I myself am snarky and bitchy and say plenty of mean things here particularly about reality TV participants. Even in those sorts of gossip posts I have commenters that I feel have some sort of issue that causes them to move out of the realm of OMG her face looks horrendous with all that bad surgery and did you see what she was wearing? And goes into the land of I hope she die the death of a thousand bee stings so I can go take a piss on her rotting corpse. While we are talking here about the trial I am also reading the comments for the gossipy stuff. I have a handful of commenters there that spew hate at every single person on every single show. It exposes me to a constant stream of negativity. Again, I’m all for negativity, but for some that is the only note in their musical repertoire. It’s tiresome and I reached my limit last night.
For the love of all that is holy, I don’t want us to feel censored about things we are passionate about. I find listening to Nurmi MINDNUMBING. Willmott teetering around and screeching her questions in a little girl’s voice is like nails on a chalkboard. I found their cross examination of Deanna reprehensible. I’ve shared all of this with you guys. I laugh at the way the defense team INCLUDING THE STABBY MURDEROUS WHORE dress in matching clothes like a middle school gang. I hope that I have not caused people to now feel we have to act like Mother Teresa here.
I regret that my saturation point could not have been higher and lasted for another couple of weeks. But it didn’t. And I stand by my opinion. I think all of us reading the negativity for days on end is unhealthy and leads to more negativity.
It was not my opinion to hurt anyone feelings any more than one would when driving with a bunch of kids n the back seat whining “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” Over and over. At some point, I venture to say that even the mother of the year would eventually shout SHUT THE FUCK UP! 🙂
Now let’s get back to the important issues. I’m off to figure out who Juror number #8 was!
Thanks for putting sister’s work on your blog. I started a blog here, and hopefully I’ll get to see more comments since open salon is closed off.
I agree that this die die mentality is disturbing. I think the character assasination of Travis is vile, but in the end, it’s a tragic story. You have a girl who just was doomed too, and it shouldn’t inspire such bloodlust. I get disgust and hate but wanting her to fry is beyond me. I wouldn’t blame Travis’s family for feeling that way though. The character that strikes me as the most hateful is LaViolette. I bet she ruined so many lives with her b.s.
I have begged sister to do more, and please keep an eye out . I plan to post a second installment tomorrow.
Tamara, I agree with you! I was raised (and follow it) if you have nothing nice to say do not say anything at all. Anything negative should be constructive and not personal. The worst thing that can be done to a man is to accuse them of abuse, they can never recover, too many women use this to gain advantage! With all that said, I think Nurmi and Wilmott deserve most of the negative comments. While they have the duty to defend JA (guilty until proven innocent) they DO NOT have the right to KNOWINGLY slander a man who is no longer alive to defend himself or to slander his life, his history or his family when it is well document and known that none of what they claim is true. Everything the defense have done are TRICKS and out of context. I do not condone the attacks on them but they have asked for it with their conduct! Just my opinion!
I REALLY didn’t mean to be holier than though in that post. I am in now way a “nice person” I say mean and hateful things all the time in real life and here on this blog. And I will again. And sometimes I really enjoy doing it. Yesterday was a weird day in the courtroom and here in my house. It just had a weird feel to it. Jodi’s grandmother may have been the cause, or just something weird in the cosmos. The defense team looked like death warmed over as well. I think I just started to feel sorry for them. Sometimes I experience humanlike emotions. 🙂 So it was just a timing thing with the one more fat joke about Nurmi that sent me into rant mode. I have a potty mouth that I USUSALLY manage to control. But after a few beers and a long sad day of trial. I just sort of snapped. It happens. I don’t feel bad about it. 🙂
You wereN”T holier than thou. You were leader, moderator, within prerogative &, most importantly, strenuously, candidly human. Tough job. Valuable service. Cheers, always.
(But, a horse of a different colour rears its head… ?)
its the cosmos…shift frequency
Tamara I did not take your comments in the least to be HTT, sorry it sounded like I did. I was just trying to point out that while personal attacks not fair, criticism and complaints about them are fair given the “game” they have chosen to play in this trial. I just wanted to give my opinion that I do not believe Nurmi and Wilmott deserve anyone’s sympathy, they are educated people who have knowingly participated in lies and slander of a innocent dead man and all of his friends and families. They participate in the profiting of fame & merchandising of the Arias family, no doubt they will also show up on the DR PHILofBalony etc.
I read your blog all the time and while I do not comment all that often, I do understand your personality / style and absolutely know that you are a nice person. You should never feel bad for being honest, as long as it is does constructively. May I suggest when have a “off” day you start your posts with a caveat. I have learned enough about myself in my 48 years that when I am having one of those days, I warn hubby and kids ahead of time 😉 !
I am so glad that I am not the only one with the wonky feeling in the pit of my stomache re: Granny. I made similar comments on twitter this week about her. I think she was groomed to look feeble and not sure the wheelchair is all that needed. I was particularly offended by her wearing the purple ribbon. It would be wise to remember that it was said Granny that was involved with the miraculous finding (in their car) years later of evidence that would benefit Jodi (ie. phone with texts / pics etc) once she decided her defense would be Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS – remove the Woman and you have her true defense BS). Someone on twitter posted a pic of granny that was not that old, she had died brown hair and was literally climbing up a male stripper.
Please tell me so I understand. What does HTT stand for? Thanks.
My defense atty, Ashleigh Merchant just explained about defense attys representing death penalty clients on HLN very eloquently. She didn’t scream EVERYONE JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP! once. I want to be like her when I grow up. Maybe. or not. Sometimes a good rant is cathartic.
Lol….stop being such a guilt laden p*ssy! It needed to be said to help get things back to a more civilized discussion…Personally, I can’t tolerate the ridiculous nicknames and disparaging remarks…… I hate having to spend an hour trying to decipher comments. (Yes, I’m lazy like that)
Me too!! I have started to just scroll on past those now. If I see one of those stupid names ONCE, it’s usually a clue as to there are more ahead one their comment. . I get too pissed off trying to read them! Don’t need my blood pressure going up worse than it is already!
Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! I’m new here and so glad I found this place.
I’ve been reading several other popular forums, and some of the things I’ve read in those places just floor me regarding this topic. I have thought so many times, “THEY ARE JUST DOING THEIR JOB!”
Finally a voice of reason. And a great blog to boot!
I think Jodi Arias is guilty as sin, and the defense team is doing the best they can with what they have, and it is my understanding that they have to go by what Jodi says happened, no? I can’t comprehend how people think they should say, “Oh, that might hurt Travis’ family; we can’t say that.” They are trying to save their clients life!
I missed the trial today. What happened? What pictures did they show today?
I think most of us are invested in trial because of the nature of the crime and find it difficult to believe anyone would do such horrible things Especially a woman. If it were a man would this trial be so OUTFRONT? While I don’t care for some of the defense tactics, I am greatful there are people who do protect our constitutional rights! It’s not anything I would like to do. I do not like the idea that you can tell any kind of story and spin it any way you want if it suits your needs and I think that is what has been done by Jodi and the defense team. What choice did they have? I think they have done the best they could with what they have——- Jodi. I believe she is guilty of premeditated murder. TT I love you blog THANKS!
Yes defense attorney cannot just quit. I feel sorry for her defense team and the personal attacks.
Just imagine what the court appointed defense attorney for the accused Boston Bomber will have to endure just for doing his job, for a case that is ASSIGNED to him to do.
I have been following the Arias case. No one I know has heard of it. I am not exaggerating. I don’t use social media (except texting & email with my own real life friends/family) so this is the first I’ve heard about people making fun of the defense attorneys. We are lucky to live in the USA where we have these rights whether we are innocent or guilty. Until you or a loved one is sitting at the defense table (after sitting in jail for Years awaiting a trial – while “presumed innocent”) – it is impossible to imagine how important a defense attorney is.
I live in Massachusetts and TT – you make a lot of great points – especially about the attorney who will be assigned to the Boston Marathon Bomber. I hope that the publuc respects that attorney’s position and his/her privacy and family during what will be a most difficult time once it happens.
i have the result, none of my friends know anything about this nightmare, lol they must have a life that has more to do with trying to make a living then following the story of THE PHYSCO
Yes, Wayne! I am presently a student so I have daytime at home a few days a week to watch this trial. I have a question for Anyone! Does anyone know how the family members (on both sides) afford to pay their rent, bills & hotel/food all these months in order to attend the trial so far from home? Do they receive private donations or what? I have been very curious about this. Thanks in advance!
The family of Travis Alexander pays for their expenses from their own pockets as well as a fund that people have been donating to. That info is on a FB page in support of Travis. I have heard on the news that Jodi’s family has other family in AZ they stay with, I have seen rumors that Dr Phil is paying for expenses in exchange for interviews, notes the mom hast taken in court..again let me stress RUMOR…I don’t know if he is or not. I have also seen they are paying their own way as well. I do not know for sure. What I do know is that Travis’ family has taken time off of work etc taken all paid vacation time, sick leave to use to be at trial. I believe I also heard at one time that Samantha Alexander who is a police officer had used up her time and coworkers had donated time to her. The family has been very vocal via FB with gratitude and thanks for the donations.
I do not like Nurmi or Willmott but to criticize their looks is just not ok. Someone had to defend Arias. It is a matter of public record Nurmi tried to leave the case several times and was not allowed to (he wanted to go into private practice) I believe they are doing the best with what they have. I am disgusted by their tactics tho. I think it is horrific that they have done or tried to do what they have to Travis’ name. I also know it is a matter of public record that Jodi offered a “plea” and in that plea said if they did not agree to 2nd degree murder she would drag Travis, his family and his religion thru the mud. I just don’t like their tactics and I often wonder do they really believe what they are selling? Justice for Travis
There are facebook / twitter accounts for both families and you can donate. The Arias family has also made a financial deal with Dr PHILofbalony (even though he denies it … he is just playing with words … same as with the Casey Anthony parents) so his production company is paying all their expenses and putting them up. Get’s around it by paying for photo’s, drawings, documents etc… not for interview.
That is completely false. I am sure Dr. Phil like pretty much everyone else is trying to get family members on both sides of the court to be on the show. Arias’s family is staying with an Aunt in Pheonix.
There is nothing for Dr. Phil to “get around” Unlike ABC News who has wanted to be able to say they did not pay for interviews for their reputation as “journalists” and thus paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for a picture of a snake…SMH Dr. Phil occaisonally pays for his guests just as other entertainment shows do. The same offers to come on the show have been extended to both families. No one will know who is going to take him up on the offer until after the verdict.
I don’t condone any threats to Wilmott or Nurmi. And yes defending someone like Jodi is a crummy job. But I do think it’s our right to dislike them and say so, because I think Nurmi has been lazy. He should have done more work in this, instead of get a Laviolette he should have gotten her a better professional. Just because he is overweight isn’t why he appears sluggish, it is because he sat there slumped in his chair for much of the time. And Wilmott has a persnickety attitude that comes off as annoying to many. Her petting of Jodi seems unprofessional, and her bumbling through her questioning of DeMarte was irritating. I don’t have anything against a murderer having a defense in court, as it is our right to a fair trial. I just dislike seeing taxpayer money spent on defense attorneys that can’t make clear and direct statements and drive a point home.
Btw…I want to add that I agree that this is TT’s blog, and if she chooses to sware or set the topic it is only propper to follow suit..
I agree with most all of your points about the defense team and have said pretty much the same things from time to time.
I know, I don’t think some people got that that was your point! Talk about what they have done wrong, don’t bring in childish names and antics. And don’t personally harass or threaten them just for being defense attorneys.
And good luck to you TT in your battle vs that crazy hw. What a waste of the court’s time!
Perfectly said.
i agree every one accused ,by law deserves a fair trial but to go after the murder victim could cause a little problem for the public perception of said attys, travis cant defend himself. justice4travis
Defense is not the issue here. Today’s defense tactics are no longer based on facts, but cruel attempts at a “win” with pedophilia and molestation and the like. It’s unethical, immoral and disturbing. It’s why it icites so much hatred in viewers. The counsel simply has to expect that. They really should receive no sympathy WHEN THEY RESORT TO THOSE TACTICS.
Nurmi just isn’t a star in his field and it shows–sometimes very very painfully. He clearly isn’t a Johnnie Cochran or even a Jose Baez! Yeah, his client needs a lawyer and he’s “it”. Well, that’s his job whether he’s any good at it or not.
The fact that he’s slow, speaks in a monotone and is downright sloppy looking doesn’t help him or his clients much.
Here’s why:
The truth is that the jury IS impacted by how attorneys look and sound. So in the interest of fairness for a client, it IS important to both look and behave in a professional manner. Nurmi clearly needs a stylist and a trainer. It would probably help his career a lot.
And yes, there have been posts (maybe not here but else where) which make fun of Juan’s height. . . But really, who cares? He’s a brilliant lawyer.
Nurmi may be three times bigger than Juan, but that guy isn’t even HALF the lawyer that Juan is!!!
Also he gets paid by the hour.
kh
Im just laughing at your use of the word impacted………
it kinda goes along with some of the subject matter 🙂
and as of yet i have not seen juan pick his NOSE during court and on NATIONAL TV