Here’s how today at the Isaiah Kalebu trial was supposed to go: Kalebu’s mother would testify in the morning (which happened as planned). Then, after a few more witnesses for the prosecution—a DNA expert, a bus driver who spotted Kalebu a few days after the South Park attacks, the Seattle Police Officer who arrested him—the prosecution would rest. That all happened as planned, too.
Next would be Kalebu’s defense. As far as I could gather, it was going to be a very short one, with no outside witnesses scheduled and no plans to call Kalebu to the witness stand. After that, the defense would rest and the trial would begin to draw to a close.
Of course, the unpredictable element in this plan was Kalebu. Defendants have something close to an absolute right to testify at their own trials if they so desire, and today Kalebu made a new declaration to his attorneys: He intends to testify.
As a result, Kalebu, long ago deemed competent to stand trial by Judge Michael Hayden, was brought down from an upstairs courtroom in which Judge Hayden has forced Kalebu to watch the proceedings on closed-circuit television—and from a wheeled restraint chair—because of Kalebu’s repeated in-court outbursts.
Outside the presence of the jury, Kalebu was then asked by Judge Hayden if he indeed wants to testify in his own defense.
Kalebu replied:
“Yes, let’s get this dog and pony show over.”
Judge Hayden asked him if he would promise not to curse in court.
Kalebu replied: “I will do my utmost to communicate effectively.”
Judge Hayden told him that wasn’t good enough, and the two of them agreed that Kalebu would continue to be held in restraints in court. He then asked Kalebu if he would dress appropriately.
Kalebu, who was wearing a green suicide smock, replied: “If you will give me some clothes.” (During a later exchange on how to possibly cover up his restraints so that the jury wouldn’t see them during his testimony, Kalebu suggested he be draped in “a grand dragon robe” or “an American flag.”)
Kalebu’s defense attorneys had already told the court that they “will not be asking him any questions,” and so Judge Hayden told Kalebu he would have to write down whatever questions he plans to ask himself, and then use those questions as a sort of script when he testifies.
A hearing is set for tomorrow morning to help determine whether, in fact, this is going to happen.
So, at this point, how is this story any different than the Casey Anthony murder trial in terms of it’s relevance to anything?
Is there something meaningful and important to take away from the details of this trial? Or is this just gawking and voyeurism of the sort we’ve come to expect from tabloids?
@1 and the many others of the same mind….there are ways to make statements about what should and shouldn’t be posted in certain places. A couple examples would be a) not reading them, b) not calling them voyeurism after reading them, and c) starting your own blog to muse about whatever you deem proper for public consumption. This whole “why are you covering the trial” act is old, and extremely puzzling. I don’t see what about that angle constitutes a “contribution” in any sense that could be analogous t the original stories being deemed any kind of detriment or pointless enterprise.
I can’t understand how this trial *isn’t* worth covering. Does no one care about the workings of our criminal justice system and how it collides with mental health issues and the mental health system? People scream, “Why was he on the streets??” but then don’t want to know about how the system works for someone like him? If you don’t care or can’t stomach it, don’t read it. Your lack of interest doesn’t mean it’s not important.
I really don’t want him to be given the chance to further torment his victims.
@2, @3: The media at its worst peddles mayhem and trash to a bunch of shameless voyeurs. If you think calling out this business is “extremely puzzling” or is somehow equivalent to “not reading it”, than you are just stupid. The point isn’t whether I personally want to read it, the point is to close the bedroom blinds and give these folks a little privacy and dignity. If that means you grunting simians have to find some other material to masturbate to, so be it.
BTW – I heard some psycho raped a woman with a chainsaw, cut off a her tits, and fed them to her children. And her husband, who as it turns out twittered a picture of his cock to the nanny, was tied up watching the whole thing. It’s the story of the century! I wonder if justice will be done!? I wonder if he cooked the tits first? How many times did he fuck her? Can we get a comment from the husband? Is there video??
Get off your high horse, seandr. You’re one of the least credible voices for what’s right and what’s wrong on slog.
Yes, the best way to ensure that justice is served in any situation is to make sure no one can see how the system works. That makes complete sense.
Wait. Is his victim – the one who survived – sitting in the courtroom and observing? If so, is she ok after hearing his voice again? I hope she’s got a strong person to lean against if she stays for his testimony.
And seandr? What Matt said.
@6, @7, @8:
Right, what a relief to know that heroes like you are dutifully tracking every time Kalebu picks his nose to ensure that justice is done. Thanks for keeping democracy safe!
This guy has become a nightmare to me. I’m at once compelled to know about the case and wish I had never heard any of the details of what happened. Since I’ve heard about this case, when I’m scared, I think of him.
@8: “She’s got” is a sloppy way to say “she has.”
@ 11, you actually came back to this thread more than two hours after posting @ 9 to say that? That’s just sad.
Now, will you please stop being such an ass? I’m tired of posting necessary responses to your crap.