Forensic Vocab
Chris did not testify in court, but read a personal statement. This was NOT sworn written testimony and therefore NOT this form of written testimony.
What is a deposition?
This was Joan's response to "Did Chris do this to you?"
This is how Chris reacted when sentenced to life in prison.
Joan Porco was a witness for this side of the trial.
What is the defense?
Elaine La Forte described Chris as "gentle and kind" but did not discuss the trial evidence. This makes her this kind of witness.
What is character witness?
This is the important testimony given by Chris' fraternity brothers.
What is, he was not in the lounge the night of the murder?
Most "psychopaths" have this problem in childhood, which Chris did not have.
What is abusive parents?
This is Patty Szostack's relationship to Chris Porco.
What is Aunt?
Veterinarian Dr. John Kearney testified that "Christopher was trained in how to protect himself from, and clean up, blood that results from animal surgeries" would best be evidence for which side in the case?
What is Prosecution?
In a criminal case, the accused is the defense and the government is this.
What is the prosecution?
According to the defense, this is why an axe was used for the murder.
What is a reference by the mob to "Freddy the Fireman"?
What is, he went to parties, on dates, and/or to bars?
What is the judge's words were biased against the defence?
William Shields, biology professor and geneticist, was this TYPE of witness because he testified about DNA evidence in general, not Proco's DNA specifically.
What is expert witness?
Despite the large amount of blood from axe wounds, there was not a single kind of this print at the scene of the crime.
This was the evidence provided by the Porco's neighbor, Marshall Gokey.
What is, he saw a yellow jeep parked outside the Porco's the morning of the murder?
This is the actual, clinical term for a "psychopath."
What is anti-social personality disorder?
Patty Szostack testified that Chris could be excused from the crime as a "crime of passion" because
What is she said the crime was carefully, coldly planned?
When Joan's neurologist testified that "Joan Porco's injuries probably would have prevented her from identifying her assailant when police and paramedics treated her the morning of the attack" she was testifying as this type of expert.
What is an observer?
This type of evidence doesn't need to be searched for by dusting for fingerprints or using a black light, it is just sitting there.
What is physical evidence?
According to one juror, this was the piece of evidence that the jury dismissed and didn't care about.
What is Joan nodding her head? (They assumed she didn't know what was going on).
This is why it doesn't actually matter whether Chris had antisocial personality disorder or not.
What is, there is no treatment for it.
The judge suggested Chris use this resource if available at his prison.
What is a mentoring program to help inmates take responsibility for their crimes?
William Shields, biology professor and geneticist, was this TYPE OF EXPERT because he understands DNA evidence but does not test the DNA of Murder victims.
What is researcher?