Ted Wafer Sentenced to 15-30 Years for Killing Renisha McBride

On August 7, 2014, Theodore “Ted” Wafer was found guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and unlawful use of a weapon in the killing of 19-year old Renisha McBride.

McBride was intoxicated, and had an automobile accident where at  trial, evidence was given that her head struck the windshield. For reasons unknown, Renisha knocked on Wafer’s front door and was greeted with a shotgun shell to her face that killed her.

Wafer claimed self-defense, a defense that has caused some others to slide away from consequences for taking the life of a human being when evidence says otherwise.

Today, Judge Hathaway called it “one of the saddest cases” she’s ever heard.

“A young woman’s life is gone and otherwise a law-abiding citizen’s life is gone. Although the evidence clearly shows in this case that Ms. McBride made some terrible choices that night, none of them justified taking her life.

Ted Wafer’s Attorney Re-Litigates Case To Argue For A Reduced Sentence

Ted Wafer shot and killed 19-year old Renisha McBride. A jury found Wafer guilty of 2^nd degree murder, manslaughter, and unlawful use of a weapon. He is due for sentencing next week. Wayne County prosecutors, and defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter, have filed their pleadings.

 

Prosecutors are asking that Judge Hathaway use sentencing guidelines. Wafer stands to be sentenced between 15 and 25 years in prison that would be in addition to an automatic 2 year sentence for unlawful use of a gun. Prosecutors are asking that Wafer be sentenced to at least 17 years in prison.

Juror in Ted Wafer case: “no one believed it.”

A juror in the Ted Wafer murder trial spoke to the Free Press on the condition of anonymity. Ted Wafer was convicted of 2^nd degree murder for killing Renisha McBride. Renisha had been in a car accident, was intoxicated, and knocked on Wafer’s door. He opened his door and shot through his screen door with a shotgun, killing the 19-year old.

Ted Wafer is taken into custody after the reading of the verdict.

The juror who interviewed with Free Press said that Wafer’s conflicting statements ultimately helped the jury reach its verdict. The jury was made up of 7 men and 5 women. When they went into deliberations, they took an anonymous vote. That vote was that Wafer was guilty, but they still had to decide whether to convict on second-degree murder or a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. The juror said that their decision hinged on the evidence.

Jurors Begin Deliberating in Porch Shooting Case

Closing Arguments – Ted Wafer Trial

Closing arguments in the Ted Wafer trial start at 9 a.m. The judge has allotted one hour to each side.

This thread is open for following closing arguments and discussion.  We will then be on jury watch for the verdict.

If I come across any videos from the courtroom, I’ll update by posting them here.

Justice for Renisha!

 

UPDATE from today’s closing arguments.

 

More Cross-Exam Video – Ted Wafer

Ted Wafer took the stand for the second day, and went under cross-examination by the prosecution and re-direct by his attorneys.

The video below has excerpts.  If more videos become available, I’ll post them here.

Also today, the judge allowed the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter to be included in the jury instructions.

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow.  Each side has one hour.  Then it’s up to the jury.

MUCH THANKS to everyone who keeps us informed and up-to-date by following Twitter and joining in discussions. Yahtzeebutterfly deserves a vacation after this.  I recommend Hawaii and that she takes me with.  (snicker)

 

Ted Wafer Trial – August 5, 2014

I suspect that closing arguments will be made late today or Wednesday in the Ted Wafer murder trial. The judge will then read the jury instructions and send them off to decide the verdict.

 

As we learned in the murder trial of George Zimmerman, there are some courts that allow the attorneys to amend jury instructions, even omitting sections. Thus, the Supreme Court Committee in those states waste their time writing model or pattern jury instructions that judges toss aside for those written by defense lawyers.

Personally, I think that is a miscarriage of justice, especially in criminal cases. Model or Pattern Jury Instructions are written because of criminal statute and prosecutors should not be placed in a position where the statutes are rendered moot by jury instructions that do not fit the law.

For all intents and purposes, Ted Wafer is claiming that he shot and killed Renisha McBride in self-defense.

The below are Michigan’s actual jury instructions for use of deadly force in self-defense.