Curious. Of course he has a right to testify in his own defense. But, if he does, the prosecution has an equal right to cross-examine him. It sounds like that's going to be a near impossibility. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Thank you.

@1: Yes. And, as the prosecutors reminded the court today, Kalebu's own testimony may, to use their phrase, "open the door" to lines of questioning that prosecutors previously were not allowed to pursue.

Finally, I'm trying to perform a basic function of the press: covering court proceedings.

This.

One certainly may skip over the details (and I do, I do...) but this is a tremendous piece of fundamental journalism. It's building a detailed public record of the aftermath of a human tragedy that happened right here. Plus, it's something to sink one's reportorial teeth into, sharpen up those skills.

Moreover, a chance like this for the Stranger to overperform means it's all the sooner we'll get back to the usual underperforming, which, without having that to grouse about how much emptier would my barren existence be? So: full steam ahead, Mr. Sanders.

Thank you for such a thoughtful explanation, Eli. One question: is the victim who survived watching the rest of the trial? I have no idea if it's prejudicial to a jury for her to remain in the courtroom after giving testimony. Maybe it isn't even allowed under any circumstances...?

@5: As far as I've seen, the survivor of the attacks only came to court on the days of her testimony.

I don't know the answer to your question about whether it would have been prejudicial for her to watch the proceedings after her testimony concluded. But, like I said, it doesn't seem to be an issue.

I would add, by the way, that family and friends of both the survivor and Teresa Butz have been in court every day and every moment that I've attended.

TVDinner, I've never seen a witness precluded from attending a trial after they've testified. If she's not there, it's because she doesn't want to be. (Can't say that I blame her.)

Thanks, Eli & 5280.

Eli, thank you hundreds of times over for your coverage and even though I don't think any explanation (justification?) is needed (despite the slurs of voyeurism) thanks for that too. Very well put.

TVDinner, the answer to that question may depend on whether there's a chance that they'll need to call her to testify in rebuttal. Typically, witnesses are not allowed in court prior to their testimony. The concern is that they'll alter their testimony to conform with other testimony. If there's a good chance that a witness will be recalled, the parties often air on the side of caution by keeping the witness out.

I was actually surprised that Kalebu's mother was allowed to watch trial prior to her testimony, but it could be that her testimony was expected to be so narrow that watching testimony wouldn't have any impact on what she said.

In theory, you're right about the rebuttal testimony, Gidge. In practice, I've never seen it happen in 36 years.

I've found your coverage to be one of the most valuable pieces of reporting I've read in as long as I can remember. This is public interest in it's purest form without the usual sanitizing that obscures unpleasant details in the name of respecting our supposed sensibilities. Thank you and keep it up.

I'm thankful that you're doing this, too, Eli. At the risk of getting all feelings-y about it, I'm sure it's been draining for you, and I hope you have some good support in place.

Of course this is all unfathomably awful for the family and friends of the survivor and Teresa Butz, but I also can't stop thinking about how hard this must be on the jurors, too. Ugh.

We should hope for a Sanders in every court room. The moment we criticize thoughtful coverage like his because it's, like, harshing our chill, then we're doomed.

Annoyed by coverage like this? Then God help you when you're in the system and there's no one watching what's going on. You'll be praying for Eli to appear.

Coverage of this trial also highlights this failure of our mental health system in protecting the community and this man himself from his illness. Mental health stigma and lack of affordable care together cause a lot of people a lot of pain, especially in conjunction with a justice system that largely ignores the mental health issues of its... erm... clients.

Really quality work, Eli. Keep it coming.

Excellent work, Eli. As appalling as this is, it's so important. Whether anyone reads it or not, you are there. Thank you.

@15 it really is sad isn't it? It is easier to get money for jails for the mentally ill than it is for the cheaper alternative of more intensive case management and support for the mentally ill.

Clearly not everyone can be helped, but based on the trend in the law and mental health funding, this kind of outcome, a courtroom outcome, is what the public prefers, rather than coddling the unkempt and ungrateful mentally ill with more care and supervision.

This guy is so obviously batshit crazy...the tragedy of it all just continues.

And I agree with the thrust of Eli's piece here. The right to speak for oneself, knowing the risk, is fundamental, even if it is to hang oneself. I have witnessed several criminal trials for comparatively trivial matters where the defendant would likely have won if they had followed their lawyer's advice and not testified, but sometimes the need to assert individualness under the weight of society's machine is too strong...

Thank you, Eli. Well said, again.

I just finished reading Popular Crime, by Bill James. You might like it. There's a lot to wade through, but he has some important stuff to say about citizens paying attention to the justice system.

Eli, thank you so much for covering this story in depth and with such compassion. It has been incredibly hard to read, and knowing more about this case has definitely caused some sleepless, jumpy nights... but I'm grateful for the conversations this has sparked about how to prevent men like Kalebu from slipping through the cracks like he did.

(And Eli, like #13 said, I really hope you have supportive people around you right now. Having to sit in court and basically marinate in the horror has got to be draining as hell. Here's hoping there are vacation days in your future.)