tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post2393352997982462733..comments2024-02-24T18:44:39.324-08:00Comments on Trials & Tribulations: Stephanie Lazarus Trial: Opening StatementsSprockethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03837416113512618694noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-86547041557257221202012-02-07T11:41:46.430-08:002012-02-07T11:41:46.430-08:00It has not been proven that there was a loss in th...It has not been proven that there was a loss in the chain of custody of the bite mark swab evidence.<br /><br />The envelope that was found in the coroner's freezers was well worn and torn, but there has been no evidence presented that the envelope ever left the coroner's office, or that it was ever lost (out of the coroner's control).Sprockethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837416113512618694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-22822870094336848792012-02-07T11:06:55.900-08:002012-02-07T11:06:55.900-08:00This is a very interesting, albeit sad case. I gr...This is a very interesting, albeit sad case. I graduated college with a degree in criminal justice in 1980 and back then it was DRILLED into our heads that there must be a solid chain of custody for the evidence or the case is lost. In other words, if there was a lapse in the chain of custody, that negated the evidence. This was at the same time that cases were thrown out because Miranda rights were not read upon arrest. While we studied cases that were deeply troubling in that an error(s) by law enforcement allowed suspected criminals to walk, the rules for protecting and documenting evidence not only hold law enforcement to a standard, but protect the rights of citizens. I think the evidence that is being presented, in this case, is compelling in so far as showing Lazarus as having the opportunity, motive, capacity, etc. to commit this crime. I do however ponder why the judge and prosecution are so willing to pursue a case against Lazarus, when clearly they cannot account for where that vial, containing the bite swab, was located for some years. The argument can definitely be laid out that who would have had the means and/or the motive to collect and place Lazarus's saliva on the victim's neck or to have tampered with stored evidence and who would have known to use LAPD issued ammo and known that Lazarus's gun was in her gym bag, in Santa Monica, ready to steal and incriminate her further with her missing gun??? It seems like the prosecution is saying that we got our murderer, overlook how the evidence was treated and documented. In this case the coroner kept the vial and the remaining physical evidence was held by LAPD, however in criminal cases, for the purpose of prosecution, it is the responsibility of law enforcement to ensure that their office and the coroner's office properly maintain the evidence for trial. I'm not saying Lazarus should get off, this is a horrible murder of a young woman. I am saying that evidence should be handled and accounted for by law enforcement and that is a right that we should all have when standing trial and that as a society, we need to maintain.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-30403926329051888462012-02-07T10:46:54.596-08:002012-02-07T10:46:54.596-08:00Bets! Just wanted to say a huge thank you; I'...Bets! Just wanted to say a huge thank you; I'm so excited for you.<br /><br />Excellent write up on the Opening Statements, I really can't thank you enough. <br /><br />I'm really proud of you!<br />Hugs and Love <br />My Friend!<br />CatToy aka KatPoisonPenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01037961835308323959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-73656994467990311882012-02-07T04:36:49.739-08:002012-02-07T04:36:49.739-08:00Kathy,
About the bullets. I did not write that v...Kathy,<br /><br />About the bullets. I did not write that very well about the bullets. They were not made <i>exclusively for</i> the LAPD. The bullets that killed Sherri Rae Rasmussen were the only type that the LAPD were allowed to carry in their guns on the day she died. Those bullets were also available for purchase by the general public.<br /><br />Thank you ritanita! You know how hard it is to cover a case in such detail.Sprockethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837416113512618694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-22300252403000514302012-02-07T04:05:19.971-08:002012-02-07T04:05:19.971-08:00Following this case with a lot of interest. Thank...Following this case with a lot of interest. Thanks for keeping us updated. I hope you get a chance to catch up, it sure isn't easy!<br /><br />That gun evidence should be very compelling. How often does such a gun "go missing" just after a murder with the same sort of crime?ritanitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798894468241676294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-46553137995791639962012-02-07T03:32:50.390-08:002012-02-07T03:32:50.390-08:00Sprocket, thank you for burning the midnight oil.
...Sprocket, thank you for burning the midnight oil.<br /><br />I did not know that the bullets used to kill Sherri were only LAPD issue. That narrows it down even further.<br /><br />Also that the gun Lazarus purchased from LAPD was for her personal use, and not one that she would have used in the line of duty. Therefore, no bullets fired from her service revolver, while on duty, that had been kept as evidence in other crime cases could compared ballistically.<br /><br />Can't wait to see what comes up next.Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-70616050907991017342012-02-07T00:10:41.553-08:002012-02-07T00:10:41.553-08:00This cop allegedly stalked the victim in the days ...This cop allegedly stalked the victim in the days before the killing, once allegedly showing up in the victim's hospital office to confront the victim about the victim's husband. The cop allegedly wore nothing but lingerie (which she flashed) under a trench coat during this confrontation.<br /><br />The family of the victim, having been informed by the victim of this bizzare behavior on the part of the cop, repeatedly entreated the THEN-lead detective on the case to consider this cop as a suspect and the ****ing buffoon refused to do so.<br /><br />This case is not just about the murder of an innocent woman, but also about the most egregious example of police incompetence, indifference, or cover-up since the Martha Moxley case.<br /><br />There should be a follow up story confronting this retired, incompetent, pension-collecting idiot on his door step, asking WHY he rufused to pursue this obvious-to-anyone suspect.<br /><br />Git'er done media.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-85952037006760004952012-02-06T17:31:58.452-08:002012-02-06T17:31:58.452-08:00Judge Perry is moving right along. I am glad he ke...Judge Perry is moving right along. I am glad he kept the cameras out of the courtroom. He's my kind of judge.Kathynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-33229244476725108402012-02-06T17:03:49.812-08:002012-02-06T17:03:49.812-08:00Thank you for your reporting! On the edge of my se...Thank you for your reporting! On the edge of my seat waiting for updates!Natalienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-35796905584343029672012-02-06T14:51:31.713-08:002012-02-06T14:51:31.713-08:00Did you get the impression from the defence that t...Did you get the impression from the defence that they are going to blame the murder on the husband, and the gun evidence was nbew to me, not the fact that she had filed a report saying it was stolen but the evidence that it may be of a similar type that matches to evidence from the scene, and may I also say thankyou for your blogging,lucynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-84283300776614922542012-02-06T14:37:00.737-08:002012-02-06T14:37:00.737-08:00Are there seats for the public, as well as the med...Are there seats for the public, as well as the media, to attend the trial? If so, it's Department 104 on floor 9? How does one find out the start time if not able to attend every day? Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757696342634699253.post-7019802671814398472012-02-06T10:30:43.118-08:002012-02-06T10:30:43.118-08:00Thank you for your excellent coverage. I feel like...Thank you for your excellent coverage. I feel like I'm right there with you!Marcienoreply@blogger.com