Post by MXB on Jun 10, 2006 2:46:05 GMT -5
Part 2
MAURICE IS QUESTIONED AND ARRESTED
Maurice Mason was picked up for questioning. He denied any involvement in the disappearance of Robin Dennis. On Feb. 12, 1993 Maurice was again picked up and questioned for four hours before he was given his Miranda warning. Upon being given these warnings he was immediately arrested by his parole officer who had been observing the questioning for over three hours, through a two-way mirror.
At the time of the interview Maurice Mason was the only real suspect, because Chris Dennis told the cops that his wife was last seen with Mason.
Maurice Mason was indicted for the purposeful killing of Robin Dennis during the commission of a rape, and with a separate crime of possessing a weapon under disability.
Counsel requested time to prepare.
Prior to the trial, Maurice Mason repeatedly sought authorisation from the court for funds to secure reasonable and necessary investigative and expert assistance. The trial court arbitrarily denied most of Mason's requests and limited the remainder.
Likewise, prior to trial, Maurice Mason's lawyers repeatedly demonstrated the need for a continuance, explaining in great detail why they were unprepared to effectively represent Mason without this. The trial court ruled that unless counsel went forward, the court would have no alternative but to remove counsel from the case, and as a sanction, award no attorney fees for the work already done. Under this threat, counsel agreed to proceed with the trial.
Evidence demostrated that on the date of the murder, Robin's husband Chris Dennis threatened to kill Robin. Maurice Mason attempted to introduce evidence that Chris had murdered his wife, including evidence of past violence, including teh person Chris had beaten and left in a field to die, and that one year prior to the trial, Chris had attacked his ex-wife's boyfriend with a machete, causing severe injuries, and had also beaten his ex-wife when they were married. The court excluded the evidence.
While the jury did not hear this evidence of Chris's earlier violent attacks, it did hear that Mason had his parole violated because of his alleged involement in this case.
To be continued.
MAURICE IS QUESTIONED AND ARRESTED
Maurice Mason was picked up for questioning. He denied any involvement in the disappearance of Robin Dennis. On Feb. 12, 1993 Maurice was again picked up and questioned for four hours before he was given his Miranda warning. Upon being given these warnings he was immediately arrested by his parole officer who had been observing the questioning for over three hours, through a two-way mirror.
At the time of the interview Maurice Mason was the only real suspect, because Chris Dennis told the cops that his wife was last seen with Mason.
Maurice Mason was indicted for the purposeful killing of Robin Dennis during the commission of a rape, and with a separate crime of possessing a weapon under disability.
Counsel requested time to prepare.
Prior to the trial, Maurice Mason repeatedly sought authorisation from the court for funds to secure reasonable and necessary investigative and expert assistance. The trial court arbitrarily denied most of Mason's requests and limited the remainder.
Likewise, prior to trial, Maurice Mason's lawyers repeatedly demonstrated the need for a continuance, explaining in great detail why they were unprepared to effectively represent Mason without this. The trial court ruled that unless counsel went forward, the court would have no alternative but to remove counsel from the case, and as a sanction, award no attorney fees for the work already done. Under this threat, counsel agreed to proceed with the trial.
Evidence demostrated that on the date of the murder, Robin's husband Chris Dennis threatened to kill Robin. Maurice Mason attempted to introduce evidence that Chris had murdered his wife, including evidence of past violence, including teh person Chris had beaten and left in a field to die, and that one year prior to the trial, Chris had attacked his ex-wife's boyfriend with a machete, causing severe injuries, and had also beaten his ex-wife when they were married. The court excluded the evidence.
While the jury did not hear this evidence of Chris's earlier violent attacks, it did hear that Mason had his parole violated because of his alleged involement in this case.
To be continued.
