Ed Thomas' Killer, Mark Becker Trial

[Cybyassociation]

Starts today. Here is the live blog transcripts from the courtroom. Might be too much for some to read. Very graphic and I am getting very angry just reading it.

LIVE Blog: Mark Becker Murder Trial | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather | Local News

 

[mj4cy]

So the only take here is if he gets insanity? Otherwise, shouldn't it be cut and dry Becker was the killer with 20+ witnesses?

 

[Tedcyclone]

me too,,, i cant even look at that frkn dip without wanting to **** myself... i could be in the court room if i was family or i would get arrested..

 

[mj4cy]

I think its a lose lose situation for everyone.

 

[Mr Janny]

Yeah. I dont think there is any question that Becker is the killer. He has been interviewed by police and told them that he killed Thomas.

Basic recap of the defense side of things: Becker is paranoid/schizofrenic. Heard voices. The night or week before when he was arrested for breaking into someones house was because voices told him to. Voices told him Ed Thomas was the devil. I guess the defense will have police testify that are going to say exactly how crazy Becker was in interviews. Apparently he saw "Lucifer" in the interview room.

Interesting stat. The "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity" defense is successful less than 1% of the time. Hollywood would have you believe that murderers get off all the time using it, but in actuality it is rarely successful. ...The Chewbacca defense on the other hand...

 

[MoreCowbell]

I'm somewhat surprised they are still having the trial in Butler County.

 

[mj4cy]

What happens if he's not found guilty because of insanity? I get that if he's guilty he goes to prison.


Can he get help? I'm inspired the way the Thomas family has handled all of this.

 

[Cybyassociation]

Interesting stat. The "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity" defense is successful less than 1% of the time. Hollywood would have you believe that murderers get off all the time using it, but in actuality it is rarely successful. ...The Chewbacca defense on the other hand...

Either way, I dont think it would hold up in this court room. Jurors sound to be at least 40 years old+ 10/6 Men to women. Defense would probably be looking for more women, they are probably pretty happy with 6. Not saying that women would be more likely to side with insanity but they are more likely to be more sympathetic. However, this is a very conservative area of Iowa. Very religious and close knit town. I find it hard to believe that you could find someone within the county borders that has not been affected by Ed Thomas in one way or another. My guess would be that this is going to be over as quick as it started. Becker may be sick, but from the sounds of things so far, he had this planned out.

 

[DRCHIRO]

Man, that is tough to read.

I can't imagine what both families are going through.

 

[GeronimusClone]

Man, that is tough to read.

I can't imagine what both families are going through.

The amount of faith and forgiveness in that Thomas family is remarkable.

 

[Cybyassociation]

The amount of faith and forgiveness in that Thomas family is remarkable.

I think I read somewhere that they had the Becker family over either the night of the shooting, or the night after for dinner so the Beckers would not have to feel alone. It may have been the night of the funeral.

 

[GeronimusClone]

I think I read somewhere that they had the Becker family over either the night of the shooting, or the night after for dinner so the Beckers would not have to feel alone. It may have been the night of the funeral.

Yeah, and the brother played football for the sons. Just amazing how they handle it.
I know I wouldn't be able to do that.

 

[rdubbs]

Thanks for the link and you're right, reading what has been typed so far is just horrible.

 

[mj4cy]

just read thru the 5 hours of the hearing. Boy that's tough for all involved.

 

[Cybyassociation]

How did he plea?

He's admitted that he did it, right? Now it's just a question of if he's actually insane or had control of his facilities.

I'm guessing that if he's not guilty by reason of insanity - he goes to an institution for quite a long time - perhaps for his entire life. If he's not found to be insane - he's off to Ft Madison for the rest of his life.

Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. I was thinking he would head to Anamosa. Either way, as long as he is behind bars for good.

 

[mj4cy]

How did he plea?

He's admitted that he did it, right? Now it's just a question of if he's actually insane or had control of his facilities.

I'm guessing that if he's not guilty by reason of insanity - he goes to an institution for quite a long time - perhaps for his entire life. If he's not found to be insane - he's off to Ft Madison for the rest of his life.

The prosecutor and the defense attorneys agreed he killed Ed Thomas. They are just debating if he is insane or not.

 

[DaddyMac]

Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. I was thinking he would head to Anamosa. Either way, as long as he is behind bars for good.

Probably.

Key difference being that if he's guilty of 1st degree murder (I'm guessing that's what he was charged with) in Iowa - he gets an automatic life sentence without parole.

If he's guilty by reason of insanity - I think there are a whole host of potential release options open - although not likely.

I have no legal background, that's just what I've gathered. Perhaps a few lawyers lurking could chime in.

 

[mj4cy]

In just the past few seconds, it has gotten bad. A member of the Thomas family left the room as they are talking about when Becker was arrested.

How do you know this? I just read the latest in the transcript...didn't see that.

 

[Cybyassociation]

at 3:34 in the transcript

"3:34
Trish Mehaffey:
A Thomas family member just left while they were showing photos of his (Mark Becker) clothes. I'm not sure who it was."

 

[isumellie]

They just adjourned for the day and will resume on Tuesday.