Cape Cod Murder
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No decision by Worthington trial judge for hearing on alleged racism among jurors
Update, 4:30 p.m. -
Barnstable Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson has taken no action on a motion filed by defense attorney Robert George alleging racial bias among jurors in last fall's murder trial of Christopher McCowen, who was convicted of killing Truro resident Christa Worthington in January 2002.
Nickerson held a hearing on the motion this morning with George and assistant district attorney Lisa Edmonds, but did not come to a decision or set a date for another hearing, according to clerk magistrate Scott Nickerson.
George filed the motion in January asserting that at least three jurors made racial remarks during their week-long deliberations at the end of the trial.
The jury convicted McCowen of first-degree murder, aggravated rape and aggravated burglary. McCowen, Worthington's trash hauler, was sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole, a mandatory punishment for conviction of first-degree murder in Massachusetts. A first-degree murder conviction also triggers an automatic appeal.
Edmonds replaces original prosecutor Robert Welch III, who was nominated for a judgeship by then-Gov. Mitt Romney in the closing days of the Worthington trial. Welch has since been sworn in as a district court associate justice.
Worthington, 46, a former fashion writer, was found stabbed to death in her isolated bungalow by a former boyfriend on Jan. 6, 2002, a day after she was attacked. Her 2-year-old daughter, Ava, was also found, unharmed.
McCowen, first questioned by police two months after the murder, denied any physical contact with Worthington, according to police testimony during the trial.
A DNA link proving that McCowen had sexual contact with Worthington prior to her death led to McCowen's arrest in April 2005. During the six-hour interrogation that followed, according to police testimony, McCowen gave an evolving series of accounts of the night of Worthington's death, culminating with his claim that a friend of McCowen's, Jeremy Frazier, stabbed her.
Testifying during the trial, Frazier denied killing Worthington and no evidence was presented linking him to the scene.
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"Barnstable Superior Court Judge Gary Nickerson appears ready to set a date today for a hearing on alleged racism among jurors who convicted...."
He can't make up his mind--to set a date--to not set a date? Why does this judge even get to make this decision? It should be taken out of his hands at this point. What are they so afraid of? That the 3 jurors (who are now living out of state--btw, forced off the island?) who claim racial bias of other jurors during heated deliberations--just may be telling the truth?
I really wish the AG, Martha Coakley would step in and tell this ole boys club how to do their jobs properly.
Martha--forget about the glue company for now, you've got more pressing issues in your Cape DA office that needs attending to---and where is Bill Delahunt when you need him, Cape Cod taxpayers?
I've been told by someone who has lived on the Cape for many years that the DA does whatever he wants because the island is his own kingdom---with no interference from ANYONE. That I do believe to be true. It's as though the island were cut off from our state entirely. They really don't feel they need to answer to anyone and those in power allow it to continue......
Because CMc knows that RACISM IS ALIVE AND WELL ON CAPE COD....HAVEN'T YOU BEEN READING? And it's not just us wack-jobs from the city tell you so anymore---IT'S YOUR FREAKIN' SIXTH GENERATION CAPE COD NATIVES---that holds more weight than all of us "republic of Cambridge types" put together.......
If I had a dollar for everytime you started out by saying "I was told by someone". You want justice? Spill the beans right here and now. Who told you, what proof can you offer? Let's really expose this DA for the fraud that you believe he is!
"Frazier was known to threaten people on a weekly basis with knives.the joke in wellfleet is dont pull a frazier hes lost so many friends after that trial.even the most bigited guy I know said he did it not Mc Gowen."
My point is--I don't know who sixthgeneration is, and neither does my friend the cop.....how do you explain what everyone knows to be true.
I hope BG gets the appeal, and new trial and blows this entire case out of Cape Cod bay.....so it's true about the knife wielding maniac on the Cape dunes, afterall....
"you are either part of the problem, or part of the solution"....it's time to tell the truth Cape Cod.
There are racist individuals on Cape Cod as there are anywhere else in this world. To claim that there is a conspiracy and that LE is part of it is bogus. A few years ago, a well known carpenter(white) from Sandwich was found guilty and sentenced to life in prision for shooting a black man. Justice was served, the jury of Cape Cod residents found the white carpenter guilty. How could this happen on racist CC?
So, what do you do with experiences like these? And, don't get me wrong, I've been the recipient of plenty of racism because I'm white, but here on Cape Cod,the balance is so one-sided, that it can't be fair for the people in the minority. And its made worse when people can't even admit there's a problem. The first instinctive thought I had when I heard Chris was arrested is "He doesn't stand a chance." That trial should not have been done here. And still, if you ask some people how they can believe the verdict, they will say,"well, they didn't prove that they had consensual sex." Is that what he was charged with? Why did he have to prove that? Why can they not believe he had a sexual/mutual relationship with her? I think that's something they need to examine. Honestly. And with a desire t0 get to the truth about their feelings.
Obviously, the white man from Sandwich had no friends in the DA's office--words by my Boston lawyer friend who worked on trying to get KC elected DA in 2002--
"THAT DA'S OFFICE IS KNOWN FOR PUTTING INNOCENTS IN JAIL, AND GETTING THEIR FRIENDS OFF".....guess the Sandwich guy was no friend, and maybe he really did do the crime, so big deal....it should be across the board for all cases, Buzz, not just some here and there. Obviously, the DA has to do right by some cases, otherwise it would be only TOO apparent he was using favortism towards some of the suspects and blatant disregard towards those who are convicted of crimes without sufficient proof--as in CMcCowen. And what of his friend the doctor (shot husband) who get's off without a trial? Maybe he's worried about his upcoming election--got to get some women voters on his side. There is more to that story too. Let's hear the entire story, not just the BS the DA wants us to swallow. It would be nice to get some bold journalists with guts who are willing to stand up to the towelman.
"it was a year's long investigation and they found a mere $4k and 60 grams of cocaine, arrested 11 people---THIS IS THE SORRIEST DRUG BUST I EVER READ ABOUT....A YEAR'S WORTH OF INVESTIGATING OVER THIS?......"....HA, HA, HA.....
no kidding friend.....anymore worthless busts they want to throw the public's way just to deflect the REAL PROBLEMS IN TRURO.....wow, they must think we are all pretty freakin' stupid....NOT!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a blackman dating a white woman--but there are many who refuse to accept it, especially in this case. There are many of us women who understand Christa--those of us who have dated outside our culture, race, and religion. Sometimes taking a walk on the wild side is good for the soul. I'm betting she had a consensual sexual relationship with CM--and somebody didn't like it. As far as a racist man is concerned--she becomes damaged goods in their eyes. As far as Christa is concerned--she was probably never happier to have an uncomplicated sexual relationship with a man who was considered kind by those who knew him. And maybe she was satisfied with a black stud.
And maybe a man from the East is a real Feast.
Again "My Boston lawyer friend" Have him without revealing his identity give you some cases and names.
And Crusader.....I did think that of any man she was with, Chris was probably one of the nicest.
Let's just hope that Judge Nickerson stops playing around, and gets on with this appeal already!!It is constitutionally guaranteed, and the whole right to a fair and speedy trial thing is wearing thin.
You think in this day & age people would look at the actions of both men & women & realize it takes two to tango. After seeing what went on at the old job I had on lower Cape with the tomcat builder--I think people have some nerve putting a label on Christa (he did) when most know what goes on. Compared to my old boss & others, Christa looks like Mother Theresa. Maybe Christa was beating them at their own game, & some just couldn't take it---you know most women just put up with the crap, but I don't think she would, & that's when she decided to take up with Chris. Why would the DA make those remarks about Christa? Was he jealous of her lifestyle? Did he want her for himself? "What is good for the man--is NOT good for the woman" --is that it? It's always easy to blame in on the woman, but isn't that just stupid? One poster (sarcastically) referred to Christa as the WASPY siren, dragging men who were kicking & screaming into her bedroom---I never laughed so hard.....give me a break, will ya...who's bullsh*ting who here.....
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Christopher McCowen is being tried for the brutal murder of fashion writer Christa Worthington. This blog aggregates the news about the trial and offer readers the opportunity to give their opinions.
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