HighPlainsDrifter
New member
The latest news as of 9-29-08.
Both sides rested their case today in the penalty phase of the trial. A capital murder case always has a second phase after the conviction so the jury can decide if the case warrants the death penalty. Since the conviction, it was not my opinion that things were going real well. The defense called numerous witnesses including several Clinical and Forensic Psychologists as well as Family members of the defendant, Donald Rolle. The Psychologists are basically hired guns to paint the defendant in a positive light. They attempt to show that the defendant would be a low risk of future danger in a prison setting. They also focus on how bad his childhood was which effected his ability to make sound and rational decisions. They also try to convince the jury that violent behavior in society is not a good predictor of violent behavior in prison since they are different worlds.
Add to that the fact that Wyoming allows the defendants family to take the stand and plead for his life while it does not allow the victims family to take the stand and plead for justice. Victim impact statements are not allowed until the jury has decided on the Death Penelty, Life in Prison without Parole or simply Life in Prison. As many might know, the decision to impose the Death Penalty absolutely has to be unanimous. Very easy for at least one juror to hold out. I really believe the chances of all 12 returning with a decision to sentence to death is a long shot at best. Then at the end of the day, just before the defense rested, the defendant decided to excercise his right to take the stand and address the jury. I cant remember the legal term but the defendant can do this in the penalty phase, without being under oath and IS NOT SUBJECT TO CROSS EXAMINATION by the Prosecution.
Here is where things got interesting. Rolle took the stand and addressed the jury. In not so many words, he actually asked the jury to impose the Death Penalty. He advised he is a firm believer in the Death Penelty and that he deserves what he dealt out to my sister. He advised the jury he would be disappointed if they did not impose the harshest penelty allowed by the law. I was absolutely shocked since he has shown no emotion and absolutely no remorse during any phase of the legal process. I am wondering if he was sincere or if it was his last ultimate act of control. We will see what the jury does with it. Closing arguments for the penalty phase starts tomorrow and the case should go to the jury as early as noon. Hopefully by the end of tomorrow we will have some final closure to this nightmare.
Both sides rested their case today in the penalty phase of the trial. A capital murder case always has a second phase after the conviction so the jury can decide if the case warrants the death penalty. Since the conviction, it was not my opinion that things were going real well. The defense called numerous witnesses including several Clinical and Forensic Psychologists as well as Family members of the defendant, Donald Rolle. The Psychologists are basically hired guns to paint the defendant in a positive light. They attempt to show that the defendant would be a low risk of future danger in a prison setting. They also focus on how bad his childhood was which effected his ability to make sound and rational decisions. They also try to convince the jury that violent behavior in society is not a good predictor of violent behavior in prison since they are different worlds.
Add to that the fact that Wyoming allows the defendants family to take the stand and plead for his life while it does not allow the victims family to take the stand and plead for justice. Victim impact statements are not allowed until the jury has decided on the Death Penelty, Life in Prison without Parole or simply Life in Prison. As many might know, the decision to impose the Death Penalty absolutely has to be unanimous. Very easy for at least one juror to hold out. I really believe the chances of all 12 returning with a decision to sentence to death is a long shot at best. Then at the end of the day, just before the defense rested, the defendant decided to excercise his right to take the stand and address the jury. I cant remember the legal term but the defendant can do this in the penalty phase, without being under oath and IS NOT SUBJECT TO CROSS EXAMINATION by the Prosecution.
Here is where things got interesting. Rolle took the stand and addressed the jury. In not so many words, he actually asked the jury to impose the Death Penalty. He advised he is a firm believer in the Death Penelty and that he deserves what he dealt out to my sister. He advised the jury he would be disappointed if they did not impose the harshest penelty allowed by the law. I was absolutely shocked since he has shown no emotion and absolutely no remorse during any phase of the legal process. I am wondering if he was sincere or if it was his last ultimate act of control. We will see what the jury does with it. Closing arguments for the penalty phase starts tomorrow and the case should go to the jury as early as noon. Hopefully by the end of tomorrow we will have some final closure to this nightmare.
and give you and your family my Complete sympathy love you Jennifer