Questionable questions?

[enigma]

There were several questions asked of the jury to both Robert & Holly that were out of line in my estimation. They had nothing to do with whether he should be found liable or whether Bonny was a good mother. It smacks of being judgemental. What if they were not christians? Why should religion have any bearing on this case? What do you think?

Jurors Submit 35 Questions in Blake Wrongful Death Trial

By Andrew Blankstein, Times Staff Writer



One of the jurors deciding whether Robert Blake is responsible for his wife's murder wants to know whether the actor can name the four Gospels in the Bible.

~~~

Part of a series of questions for Bakley's daughter, Holly Gawron, read:

"Did she attend Sunday school? Can she name the four gospels?"

"Did your mother ever say that some day she would like to change the way she was making a living?

The questions plumbing biblical knowledge was also asked of Blake.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-110405blake_lat,0,3928657.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Whatever happened to separation of church & state? http://www.babynames.com/boards/images/smilies/eyebrow.gif

[InsanitysAngel]

One juror was incredulous that Blake had never used a cellphone, and did not know how to use one to place a call, as he testified.

I wouldn't know how to use a cell phone either. I've borrowed one less handful of times and always have to ask how it works.

"Did she attend Sunday school? Can she name the four gospels?"

Completely out of line and insignificant to the case before them, IMO. I know plenty of wonderful people who don't share the same beliefs in God, Jesus and the Bible that I do. I also know plenty of outstanding parents that don't believe in any religion.

Totally a judgemental question IMO.

[Sunny Lincoln]

The religious questions reminded me of some postings which made the determination that RB must be guilty of the murder, because he had asked BLB to have an abortion (as did Christian Brando.) I wondered if the juror (s) who asked these questions were staunchly pro-life and felt the request made RB more likely to be capable of murder.

The sarcastic question: Didn't she deserve at least a "Goodbye, Toots."? was biased and demonstrated that the juror had decided he was guilty prior to deliberation. Had RB put himself between the EMTS and Bonny to say "Goodbye" would indicate that he KNEW she was dying, furthermore, it could have been construed that he was attempting to interrupt attempts to revive her.

[XMarc'sTheSpot!]

The religious questions reminded me of some postings which made the determination that RB must be guilty of the murder, because he had asked BLB to have an abortion (as did Christian Brando.) I wondered if the juror (s) who asked these questions were staunchly pro-life and felt the request made RB more likely to be capable of murder.

The sarcastic question: Didn't she deserve at least a "Goodbye, Toots."? was biased and demonstrated that the juror had decided he was guilty prior to deliberation. Had RB put himself between the EMTS and Bonny to say "Goodbye" would indicate that he KNEW she was dying, furthermore, it could have been construed that he was attempting to interrupt attempts to revive her.

I agree Sunny. The sarcasm exhibited by the "Goodbye, Toots," comment is an indication of the disdain of the juror who was making the statement. RB was in a darned if you do, darned if you don't situation that night. No matter what he did, it would have been perceived wrongly by some.

I have wondered how the jury knew about the "Toots" comment. Did his say that in his testimony. I know it was on the deposition tape, but don't remember his saying it in court. Did this juror have prior knowledge?

Pen

[enigma]

I agree Sunny. The sarcasm exhibited by the "Goodbye, Toots," comment is an indication of the disdain of the juror who was making the statement. RB was in a darned if you do, darned if you don't situation that night. No matter what he did, it would have been perceived wrongly by some.

I have wondered how the jury knew about the "Toots" comment. Did his say that in his testimony. I know it was on the deposition tape, but don't remember his saying it in court. Did this juror have prior knowledge?

Pen

A very good question Pen! Dubin tried to get those deposition tapes out there to the general public before jury selection. In my estimation this judge let everything in but the kitchen sink. I prefer a more conservative judge, I have seen too many trials being played out in the media to the defendant's detriment. What ever happened to the right to a fair trial and a jury without prejudice? :disbelief

[Tylo]

I agree Sunny. The sarcasm exhibited by the "Goodbye, Toots," comment is an indication of the disdain of the juror who was making the statement. RB was in a darned if you do, darned if you don't situation that night. No matter what he did, it would have been perceived wrongly by some.

I have wondered how the jury knew about the "Toots" comment. Did his say that in his testimony. I know it was on the deposition tape, but don't remember his saying it in court. Did this juror have prior knowledge?

Pen

Robert testified to it in court. BTW, I call my sweet little loveable daughter, "Toots" all the time...it's not necessarily derogatory, it can also be a term of endearment. It's all in the tone. I was in court and Robert said it endearingly, but with a bit of an edge. I certainly would not hinge my verdict on it!

[Bojay]

Robert testified to it in court. BTW, I call my sweet little loveable daughter, "Toots" all the time...it's not necessarily derogatory, it can also be a term of endearment. It's all in the tone. I was in court and Robert said it endearingly, but with a bit of an edge. I certainly would not hinge my verdict on it!


The juror that made an issue out of Blake calling Bonny "toots" didn't seem to realize that "toots" is an old slang word used by people who grew up at the same time as Blake. Look at the old movies from the 1930's and 1940's. It is used all the time in those films. If I had a dollar for every time Jimmy Cagney called a woman "toots" in a movie, I would be able to retire into my next life.

[Sunny Lincoln]

"toots (tʊts) pronunciation
n. Slang.

Babe; sweetie.

[Perhaps short for TOOTSIE.]"

From Answers.com

[XMarc'sTheSpot!]

Robert testified to it in court. BTW, I call my sweet little loveable daughter, "Toots" all the time...it's not necessarily derogatory, it can also be a term of endearment. It's all in the tone. I was in court and Robert said it endearingly, but with a bit of an edge. I certainly would not hinge my verdict on it!

Exactly! My mom used to call me Toots on occasion. I don't perceive it as derogatory at all.

Wonder if the juror was a younger person? Rhetorical question. Does'nt really matter at this point.

I was more concerned if RB actually said it in his testimony and if the juror had prior knowledge. If the question had been submitted before RBs testimony, it could speak the jury tampering issue. Couldn't remember.