If the jury returns a verdict of less than first degree murder, what reasons might they give for their decision? Is there anything from the trial that makes you doubt premeditated murder?
This is the place to discuss. Please keep the discussion on-topic.
Here are some examples of what is not welcome:
- It WAS premeditateed murder!
- I hate Jodi, she's a killer!
- Nurmi is fat and a liar!
- Juan DID prove premeditated murder!
- I am going to DISPROVE these doubts for you!
If you can't follow those guidelines, kindly GTFO. So, I'll get this party started.
Martinez focused so blindly on the gas cans and the long term planning, he ignored how premeditation could have been formed in the few minutes before the murder, in Jodi's scenario. During Jodi's testimony, she talked about going in the closet, and literally having a moment to decide/reflect on what to do next. She went for the gun. To me that sounds like a conscious choice to escalate to deadly force, but Martinez did not single this out for special attention.
With the "credibility" Jodi's frenzied scenario gained with each retelling, and Nurmi's closing arguments about "snapping", and Juan's missed opportunity, some doubt is cast on premeditation.