The trial starts Monday

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:06 pm

CARLA wrote: BR, Like I keep saying it will all be behind you tomorrow I feel it in my very old bones that the out come with be as you expect.

The Jury has to do their job as instructed by the judge anything less could mean another trial, so feel good about the time they are taking. I'm praying as always that this will be behind you tomorrow and you can go on with your life and live happy ever after..:-4
Thanks, Carla. As always, I love your positive attitude.

Along with all the support here, I have been keeping LC informed, every day about what has been going on, and she and her expertise has been invaluable to me. She is supportive as all of you are, and also has first-hand knowledge and experience in dealing with things such as this. If I hadn't been able to be in contact with her and get her professional opinion of the goings-on of this whole thing, I'd be even more of a basket case than I am now. Her support combined with her vast knowledge has been a very steady rock for me to cling to. She is frustrated at not being able to take part in the thread, but I am sending her exerpts from it, so she can be informed. She, along with so many of you, has been a God-send.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:46 pm

BR, So glad your able to talk to LC she knows her stuff for sure and is amazing in her ability to call it like it is. She is a sweetie for sure and I miss her here greatly. :-4 It does make all the difference in the world to have such support from all of us here at FG, and expert advice from LC we love you kiddo..:-4

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:30 pm

I am hoping it works out for you.............The longer the jury goes means they have serious doubts............:-6

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 6:31 am

Thoughts and prayers are still with you both!

:-6

cars · Post by **cars** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:48 am

OK BR, fingers, arms, legs, toes, eyes, all crossed looking forward to a happy post from you today!

(Best wishes, thoughts & prayers all sent your way!!!)

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 12:44 pm

BabyRider wrote: And, yes....ANOTHER great day at the court house!!

Defense rested today after calling in various ballistics and forensic experts, all of whom had absolutely nothing to add to the case, simply because Bullet is not trying to say he didn't shoot the man. Frankly, I think the prosecutor wasted a WHOLE lot of time on these types of witnesses.

He's just trying to distract the jury, don't worry.

Finally, we got to call our witnesses, which turned out to be only Ox and Bullet. Ox was shakey, he was scared and isn't really all that bright, but he stuck to the truth, even if he did stumble a bit on some facts.

Juries like dumb dudes, they tell the truth.

Then, Bullet took the stand. He was absolutely brilliant. The prosecutor actually turned the jury against him while cross-examining Bullet because he was so confrontational. You could see it on their faces that they were aggravated with the way he was so harsh with Bullet. The man is desperately grasping at straws now, and losing ground quickly. When Bullet was being questioned about the shots fired at him the prosecutor was trying to discredit him by asking things like "Did you feel or hear a bullet go past you...." and asking the same thing over and over in different ways. Finally Bullet said, "Look, just because the guy is a lousy shot, doesn't mean he wasn't shooting at me!!"That brought a chuckle from the jury and a total hissy fit from the prosecutor. It was extremely funny.

Good deal! Laughing means that the jury is sympathietic to Bullet, that's great news!

Also, at the very end, after the jury was dismissed, the prosecutor asked if he might put in a motion to lower the charge to involuntary manslaughter. This means that he does not believe he can win with the charge of murder 2. The judge denied that motion.

Backpedaling in the middle of the trial, more good news! That's got to sway the jury.

Thanks for being here through this, all of you.

No problemo! See you tomorrow!

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:04 pm

((((BR)))) Well????? :-3

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:12 pm

Guilty on both counts.

2nd degree murder and felony firearms possession.

I am completely devastated. He has to go turn himself in Monday morning, and will sit in one of the worst jails in the state till his sentencing on the 22nd. Then he goes to whatever prison they send him to. I don't know where he'll end up.

He just left to tell his kids and I knew you all were waiting to hear. So, that's that. We will appeal, and possibly, hopefully, get another bond so he can be out while waiting his appeal.

I was so sure this was going to be ok. To believe two crack dealing pieces of sh!t thugs over a man with no record whatsoever....that's our "justice" system for you.

No, I don't know yet how much time he will serve. I need an escape. I don't know what I'm going to do. A complete travesty. I am so angry right now, that I am shaking, seething, and just wish I had someone to kick the sh!t out of. Maybe I'll go pick a fight tonight.....

Cracked.....completely and utterly cracked.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:14 pm

:-1 words fail me.

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:21 pm

OMG!!! :-1

I expected everything to turn out ok...:-1 :-1 :-1

anastrophe · Post by **anastrophe** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:22 pm

hell.

Post by **spot** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:31 pm

You have to hold things together now regardless of how impossible it seems - your crying time has to be the spare moments. Work out day to day what your entire family's doing and how you can get everyone - each of them including yourself - as far as tomorrow.

I'd so much rather you'd been able to leave it behind you. You don't have any easy option.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:37 pm

I'm sorry. :-1 :yh_hugs

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:44 pm

OMG!

I am soo sorry!

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:46 pm

abbey wrote: :-1 words fail me.

ditto

check in br, thinking of you hunni :-4

cars · Post by **cars** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:48 pm

:-5 :-5 ONLY IN AMERICA, can crapola like that happen !!!! :-5 :-5

Maybe you may want to consider getting another Attorney for the Appeal!

(It would be like getting a second opinion from another Doctor type thing)

koan · Post by **koan** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:50 pm

There's not much that can be said of comfort.

At the risk of being an annoying optimist; though things did not turn out well in court they turned out for the best in the actual incident. Perhaps you can focus on the fact that Bullet is still alive. If the other man had been a better shot you could have been much worse off.

There is the hope that an appeal will work out better than the trial, though make sure your lawyer approaches it properly. Appeals can only be won if there was a flaw in the process of the first trial. Don't let him screw it up by focusing on the wrong thing. I've had a lawyer screw up a less important case by framing his argument wrong and the case not being admitted to court. This is too big a matter to have it lost in legalese.

I hope you don't start any fights. It would be even worse if you got charged with assault or anything of the sort.

My sympathies, BabyRider. Stay strong.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:50 pm

buttercup wrote: ditto

check in br, thinking of you hunni :-4
I'll be here a lot tonight. Bullet has to go down to the clubhouse to take care of business there, (turning in his colors, etc....) and I need the distraction. So, callous as it may seem, I will be hanging here with you guys tonight. I have to do something to occupy my brain.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:54 pm

:-1 Oh BR, appeal this, it doesn't seem right at all. Be strong right now, until you can get one going. Cars advice is good, maybe consider a different attorney for the appeal.

You know we all love you, and are here for you.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:04 pm

koan wrote: There's not much that can be said of comfort.

At the risk of being an annoying optimist; though things did not turn out well in court they turned out for the best in the actual incident. Perhaps you can focus on the fact that Bullet is still alive. If the other man had been a better shot you could have been much worse off.

There is the hope that an appeal will work out better than the trial, though make sure your lawyer approaches it properly. Appeals can only be won if there was a flaw in the process of the first trial. Don't let him screw it up by focusing on the wrong thing. I've had a lawyer screw up a less important case by framing his argument wrong and the case not being admitted to court. This is too big a matter to have it lost in legalese.

I hope you don't start any fights. It would be even worse if you got charged with assault or anything of the sort.

My sympathies, BabyRider. Stay strong.
Many good points here, koan. Yes, I could be a widow instead of watching my husband go to jail.

The appeal process is something I know absolutely ZILTCH about, except that our original lawyer cannot be our defense again. And yes, we know exactly what we want him to focus on:

1: The slug taken from Slick's ankle was a .38. Where is that gun? It has never been accounted for.

2: The forensic team NEVER did a gunshot residue test on the dead guy. WHY??!?!?!?!!

Two very important points that could mean the entire difference.

No, I'm not really going to go out and start a fight, that's just massive emotion talking. I'm too numb to be any good in a fight right now anyways.

Thanks koan, and all of you for your still continued support. (Is that redundant?) *sheepish grin*

minks · Post by **minks** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:04 pm

Jaysus BR !!

How very UnMinks like but I am speachless I am so sorry for the both of you

gande06 · Post by **gande06** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:28 pm

I am so utterly in disbelief!! I am so sorry BR!! :-1 After meeting the both of you and seeing how very much in love the both of you are.......it's just a damn shame things didn't work out the way everyone wanted and expected it to.....this just does not make any sense to me at all! You all will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong....lean on your friends and family....there are a lot of people that love you and care for you deeply! Take life minute by minute and try to focus on the things that are your priorities that you have control over. This whole circumstance is so out of your hands and control. I will pray :yh_pray that there will be something that your current or new attorney will be able to use to battle with, in the appeal process. Always remember:

There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer;

no disease that enough love will not heal;

no door that enough love will not open;

no gulf that enough love will not bridge;

no wall that enough love will not throw down;

no sin that enough love will not redeem...

It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble;

how hopeless the outlook; how muddled the tangle; how great the mistake.

A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.

If only you could love enough you would be

the happiest and most powerful being in the world...

~Emmet Fox~

God Bless you all in this oh so trying time!!

Jives · Post by **Jives** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:36 pm

BabyRider wrote: Guilty on both counts.

Sorry to hear that, BR. You have my sympathies.

(Note to self: forget about getting that handgun you were thinking about.)

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:22 pm

Ahh BR, I am so sorry. I know you want to fall apart right now but now is the time to be tougher than you ever thought possible. Hang in there. The fat lady hasn't sang yet.

Tombstone · Post by **Tombstone** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:10 pm

holy hell.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:24 pm

No words. No smilies. Lots of feelings.

See you in another thread, BR. Maybe I can do something to take

your mind off it.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:29 pm

I am so, so sorry.....

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:09 pm

:-1 BR, Sweetie I'm stunned, and at a lose for words. This is awful I can't imagine your sadness now. Please we are here for you to give you all the support you need. Have you spoken to LC ??? what did she say..?? I really thought it would go in your favor, damn I'm angry this shouldn't have happened..

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:14 pm

CARLA wrote: :-1 BR, Sweetie I'm stunned, and at a lose for words. This is awful I can't imagine your sadness now. Please we are here for you to give you all the support you need. Have you spoken to LC ??? what did she say..?? I really thought it would go in your favor, damn I'm angry this shouldn't have happened..

Hey, Carla...I thought I was going to pass out when I heard that man say "Guilty." If I didn't have my dad on one side of me and a brother on the other, I probably would have dropped right there.

I emailed LC, and I'm going to call her later tonight, as she's napping right now. But yeah, I need to talk to her.

I'm still numb. It hasn't really hit me yet. I don't know how to exist without Bullet....I don't know what I'm going to do.

He's at the clubhouse right now, seeing what sort of help we can get there, as far as paying for an appeal attorney, etc.

I'm babbling....sorry. I am just sort of shell-shocked.

Marie5656 · Post by **Marie5656** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:40 pm

Well, I do not know what to say. Due to other distractions in my own life (seem petty next to yours) I have not kept up with your story.

I will be thinking of you, though I do not "know" you well, I already consider you one of my new internet friends.

I promise though, I will be along for the ride from here on in, and wish you well in the appeals.

I agree with checking into a new defense lawyer for the appeal process.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:54 pm

BR, your amazing I would have buckled to the floor in a heep. Bullet must be numb as well just ****in awful I can't believe it. Yes LC is waiting to talk to you sweetie..

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:00 pm

CARLA wrote: BR, your amazing I would have buckled to the floor in a heep. Bullet must be numb as well just ****in awful I can't believe it. Yes LC is waiting to talk to you sweetie..

What else can I do but breathe and keep going? I don't have a choice. I can't fall apart, Bullet needs me.

I've been talking to LC via email, but I just can't get on the phone right now. I've been on the phone for what seems like a year. I did promise to call her later though.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:04 pm

BR, I know it sounds strange but try and get some rest you have been through so much lately rest is needed. You and Bullet just cuddle up and rest if possible. You have a few days before he has to turn himself in, and hopefully he can get out right away till the appeal. You have each other and that is important now. I wish there was something I could do I just feel awful..!! I had such high hopes it would all be good news today and be over for good..:-1 :-1

theia · Post by **theia** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:01 am

Oh, BR, I am so sorry...I send you both my love

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 5:26 am

You must be devastated after seeing how the trial was going but keep strong for Bullett and the children.

It does sound as though you've grounds for an appeal though - best of luck with that.

pantsonfire321@aol.com · Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:52 am

BR could we all sent some funds to help towards the appeal, i'm sure there are lot's of people that would love to be able to help you both in some small way .

Chin up hunny try and stay positive .

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:43 am

:-1 :-1

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:24 pm

Well, guys, I have decided to involve the media, if I can. The investigation of this matter was shakey at best and downright incompetent at worst. They never figured out where the slug in Slick's ankle came from, that gun, a .38, has never been accounted for. They never did a gunshot residue test on the dead guy, to see if he'd fired a weapon. And the blood that was found in tiny amounts in Bullet's front seat was never DNA matched.

There are way too many open ends, too many unanswered questions, to let this sit. How this jury convicted him is beyond me.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:35 pm

Good idea BR. Can you call up local TV and newspapers to ask for help in telling the story?

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:40 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Good idea BR. Can you call up local TV and newspapers to ask for help in telling the story?
I sent an email to our local channel 4, and told them I would speak only with them if they would look into it, if not, I would go to the other local stations, and they would get scooped when they could have had the story all to themselves.

I gave enough detail to make it intriguing, but not enough where they could go investigate without my help.

A story where the city "F's" up and someone innocent is going to jail for it should be of interest to them. You would think. After all, this is Detroit. It's a crap-shoot.

weeder · Post by **weeder** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:51 pm

Its always good to fight back Criss... Often, we take the outcome of important matters all too lightly. Letting others have controll over our lives. There is nothing more important than this. Good for you... great determination and dedicatin to a personal cause can often bring about change.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:54 pm

I don't understand how I've missed this whole thread. :-5

BR, add my hugs and good thoughts to the massive pile you already have. Yes, involve the media, the clergy, call out the damn Narnia army if you can. Do what's legally possible to set justice right.

I'm damned impressed with how you've handled this.