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COLGATE4

(14,886 posts)

26. While I agree with your description of Attorney West's cross

Sat Jun 29, 2013, 03:01 PM

Jun 2013

examination of Rachel: "he is good at coming across as a wise and thoughtful grandfatherly gentleman", I don't agree with your conclusion that "he was not entirely comfortable in questioning Rachel …..not because he was hesitant to try to expose weaknesses in her testimony, but because she was a worthy opponent".

To the extent he was, as you call it 'hesitant' (I'd call it careful), it was not due to her being any kind of a 'worthy opponent' but because he understands that, when there is a mismatch of intellectual strengths an attorney has to be very cautious not to appear to be beating the witness up (which can result in the jury disliking him/her and favoring the witness). West is obviously very skilled and know what he's doing.

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Rachel Jeantel [View all] H2O Man Jun 2013 OP

Makes sense! JustAnotherGen Jun 2013 #1

Thank you! H2O Man Jun 2013 #10

Indeed. Well written, as usual, H2O. longship Jun 2013 #2

Thanks! H2O Man Jun 2013 #11

I was very impressed with Ms Jeantel and thought she was great csziggy Jun 2013 #3

Well said. H2O Man Jun 2013 #12

As far as your last sentence, "I felt proud of her, not sympathy.", Sheldon Cooper Jun 2013 #4

You are right. H2O Man Jun 2013 #13

I agree with you very much. Bluenorthwest Jun 2013 #5

Right. H2O Man Jun 2013 #15

excellent post...one quibble noiretextatique Jun 2013 #6

He doesn't seem H2O Man Jun 2013 #16

I thought you weren't yourself yesterday :) Marrah_G Jun 2013 #7

Unfortunately, I suppose H2O Man Jun 2013 #17

It's okay, we all love you anyway Water guy Marrah_G Jun 2013 #21

Even when you are a 'cranky, snarling old fart', your OPs are one of the reasons sabrina 1 Jun 2013 #29

Amen. Romulus Quirinus Jun 2013 #8

Right. H2O Man Jun 2013 #18

I was impressed REP Jun 2013 #9

"quick wit" H2O Man Jun 2013 #19

I guess I find her testimony completely lacking in credibility. Vattel Jun 2013 #14

Really? Are_grits_groceries Jun 2013 #20

Did you hear the interview by the state prosecutor to which I referred? Vattel Jun 2013 #23

Yes Are_grits_groceries Jun 2013 #25

So the willingness to lie didn't bother you at all? Vattel Jun 2013 #28

State attorneys remind everyone they 'want them to be truthful'. So why is that significant sabrina 1 Jun 2013 #30

Yes, they do, but not usually because the person is obviously lying. Vattel Jun 2013 #34

No, I didn't yet. But I remember the reports immediately after the killing. sabrina 1 Jun 2013 #35

we don't know the things you claim we know. Vattel Jul 2013 #36

This is a simple case. A teenager was on his way home from the store, he was followed and frightened sabrina 1 Jul 2013 #37

I Felt The Same Way RobinA Jun 2013 #32

Much appreciated. K&R n/t OneGrassRoot Jun 2013 #22

Kick this. lamp_shade Jun 2013 #24

While I agree with your description of Attorney West's cross COLGATE4 Jun 2013 #26

Careful RobinA Jun 2013 #33

Well said. I thought she did well. DirkGently Jun 2013 #27

Yes, that was beyond far-fetced, that Trayvon was looking forward to some trial in the future. I sabrina 1 Jun 2013 #31