Fair 44.0°F Fair [Forecast] :: Saturday, November 7th, 2009
Vacation Info Wedding Info Kids/Parents NEW! Pets

Cape Cod Murder

“Murder is not the crime of criminals, but that of law-abiding citizens.” - Emmanuel Teney
Please visit these local CapeCodToday sponsors:
Cape Cod Weathervane Company
Online shop for weathervanes, cupolas, finials, bird feeders, copper fire pits, and other quality copper accessories for the home and garden. We feature many beautiful nautical theme weathervanes that can be used as both interior & exterior decorations (Hyannis)
Your Tickets Now
Huge Selection of Sporting, Concert, Theater Tickets & More! Great Seats & Great Prices. Shop securely online!

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. 

33 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.

09/07/07 @ 4:47 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
So why are we not surprised? This case needs to go to the Federal level. Enough of the BS, already. Law students don't ever apply for clerkships in Barnstable with that judge......another no brainer.
09/07/07 @ 5:01 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
Jack why did you change your post from this opening statement:

"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?
09/07/07 @ 5:36 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
In response to Crusader - because it appeared to me in court this morning that Judge Nickerson was going to set a date for the hearing; by the end of the day, according to Scott Nickerson, Judge Nickerson had not done so. This is why I preceded the second report with "Update, 4:30 p.m."
09/07/07 @ 6:29 pm
legaleagle1 [Member] writes:
Obviously,your presence at the court house today was as a correspondent for capecodtoday.I am curious as to what prompted your initial report that Judge Nickerson was close to scheduling a late September hearing.
09/07/07 @ 7:05 pm
Jack Coleman [Member] writes:
Attorney George telling me that in court this morning.
09/07/07 @ 7:19 pm
legaleagle1 [Member] writes:
Thank you for your prompt response.
09/11/07 @ 12:58 am
sixthgeneration [Member] writes:
My family dates back to when yarmouth was founded Iv been in front of nickerson before.he should wear his white hood up there.Is this cape cod or the deep south.Reasonable doubt was proven and nickerson should have over turned the verdict.I mean the ADA went out to dinner with the Jury.the mass untold belief on the ower cape is the troopers covered up for a known informant.the WHITE guy whos uncle was a statey.Nickerson doesnt like anyone who isnt white in front of him even if you are your name must match.Mc Gowan wasn't smart enough to cover up all that was missing.is it hard to believe a black man with a white woman.Also something as important as a confession I know Id record it even if he didnt want it done.they'll record a drunk driver but not a high profile murder.Honestly Ive emailed the times they're to scared to print the truth.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.Im hoping this'll make it not thrown
09/11/07 @ 8:03 am
bittersweet [Member] writes:
Yes, if he can't see racial bias, then what the hell is he doing sitting on the bench? And why is he deciding all this? Who is his boss....well, besides US, the people who pay his hefty salary. And the salary of the not so lawful law enforcement.(just an opinion)This whole thing was BS from DAY ONE. Anything the police say that Christopher McCowen said cannot be taken as the truth in my view. And why don't they ever listen to the people in the area??? You just heard generation say that the whole lower cape knows he didn't do it. You think they're going to let this charade go on forever? No way.
09/11/07 @ 8:37 am
crusader [Member] writes:
thank you sixthgeneration. It's nice to see someone else come forward with what we believe to be the truth---that many would like to keep buried. I hope more like yourself come forward to tell what really happened to Christa Worthington, and free an innocent man. Apparently, the DA thinks he can call all the shots, and do whatever he see's fit depending on who is facing jail time. I've also heard about the robes, and seems things haven't really changed much on Cape Cod over the past 300 years afterall.
09/11/07 @ 8:42 am
Buzz [Member] writes:
Refresh my memory. Why was it that McGowan didn't come forward and say he had consenual sex with Worthington before she was murdered by (fill in the blank)?
09/11/07 @ 8:42 am
crusader [Member] writes:
bittersweet,

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......
09/11/07 @ 8:45 am
crusader [Member] writes:
Buzz,

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.......
09/11/07 @ 12:34 pm
Buzz [Member] writes:
Crusader,

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!
09/11/07 @ 1:24 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
no,no,no.....ole' Buzzy Boy.....do you think I would give up my friends to you just like that? After all the harassment I & others have had to endure from people involved in this case? You have got to be kidding me..you will just have to wait & see now won't you..why not present your questions to "sixthgeneration",are you afraid? I would never make something up as serious as this. I'm surprised some locals have talked with me, & others who have made the same comments. Not EVERYONE is lieing & when locals start to talk...it will be over......obviously the decent people of Cape Cod are fed up, & have every right to be. If what is claimed (that JF was directly involved with CW's murder) is true, do you realize the serious implications of this crime? MSP coverup? Sending an innocent blackman to prison because a local boy has connections that can get him off? A former cop told me JF held a tourist at knife point & has a rap sheet a mile long. So I suppose he's lieing too, right?
09/11/07 @ 1:31 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
sixthgeneration wrote:

"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.
09/11/07 @ 3:34 pm
bittersweet [Member] writes:
Here's some for you Buzz, straight from the horses mouth. Back in the late 80, I spent a lot of time with a certain fisherman and his family. The N word was used all the time with them. And their friends too. There was one black guy in P-Town at the time...(that I saw), and they called him McGilla Gorilla. It was a "legend" that you didn't allow a N on a boat...bad luck. When my daughter was in 7th grade (late 90's), someone was thrown off the bus for calling one of the other students a N. Now, you can say that it's better now, or that it's only a few of the people who are like that, but I don't think so. I think it's few that accept the differences, and certainly not a lot of people in positions of power. They're too entrenched and old-cape cod.
09/11/07 @ 4:08 pm
Buzz [Member] writes:
bittersweet & crusader,

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?
09/11/07 @ 4:12 pm
bittersweet [Member] writes:
Here's two on a personal note...My daughter, who is not all white was called a half-breed by another 5th grader. Once, my neighbor, who I partied with all the time, called me a N-Lover with such hatred, it was like he hit me.
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.
09/11/07 @ 4:22 pm
bittersweet [Member] writes:
Well Buzz, maybe that crime was proven Beyond A Reasonable Doubt. But in the Worthington trial, there was so much reasonable doubt, it was oozing out the court room doors!!!!That's what none of YOU seem to understand. The questions are not just about his being black, it's a myriad of other things as well. Should we go through the list again?? Crusader, you still around?
09/11/07 @ 4:29 pm
bittersweet [Member] writes:
His being black was an ace in the hole, though. As your friend has repeatedly stated. "They didn't prove the sex was consensual." Well, why wouldn't it be? Why did it have to be rape and murder as soon as McCowen was arrested?
09/11/07 @ 4:59 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
Buzz,

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.
09/11/07 @ 5:04 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
I just got a message from a friend who read the supposed "BIG DRUG BUST IN TRURO"....I just had to laugh....he said,
"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!
09/11/07 @ 5:14 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
bittersweet,

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.
09/11/07 @ 5:16 pm
crusader [Member] writes:
Hey bittersweet.....

And maybe a man from the East is a real Feast.
09/11/07 @ 5:23 pm
Buzz [Member] writes:
crusader,

Again "My Boston lawyer friend" Have him without revealing his identity give you some cases and names.
09/11/07 @ 7:44 pm
bittersweet [Member] writes:
Why does she need proof, you don't have any, and you sent a man to prison!

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.
09/11/07 @ 8:12 pm
Buzz [Member] writes:
Maybe if and when there is a new trial, Chris can get on the stant and explain what actually happend!
09/12/07 @ 8:27 am
crusader [Member] writes:
bittersweet,

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.....
09/12/07 @ 8:38 am
crusader [Member] writes:
It was important to bring Christa's personal life into the trial to prove it was not all her fault, just because she may have slept around, she did not deserve to die---my old job site was like a brothel, & the partner's wife would say my boss was a "loose cannon", who slept with client's wives just to milk the sugar daddy husbands. What a horror show--this guy had 4-5 women on the string at all times & then came after me. I wanted no part of that--& left after a worker confirmed to me all that was going on---I had no recourse. Sexual harassment suits on lower Cape? HA! Presenting my case in front of their own crafted court system right? HA! Like I would stand a chance. Too bad the unsuspecting wealthy second homeowners don't know just how badly they get taken by some of these companies--& it's not only their cash they take....would be a nice project for the IRS....
09/12/07 @ 9:19 am
susan [Member] writes:
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned
09/12/07 @ 9:37 am
crusader [Member] writes:
Christa wasn't the woman scorned in this case--but just maybe some of the men were.
09/12/07 @ 9:48 am
susan [Member] writes:
I wasn't thinking of Christa. The soap opera that preceded my post was what brought a woman scorned to mind.
09/12/07 @ 10:41 am
crusader [Member] writes:
Well, yes, there were other women involved with this man who were truly scorned--a former receptionist was one of them, too. The partner told a woman client she could always, "bed down with the other partner" if she didn't have a place to stay while the work was being done to her home. And she got p*ssed when she heard he was hitting on me...not my problem...and I had no idea...I was merely pointing out the reason I left...but as this story unraveled it makes more sense what was going on around Christa. It appeared that casual sex is very much acceptable in this region of the Cape. Like I said before, it's always an easy way out to blame it on the UNMARRIED women. I just don't know how some people can live in such denial--day in and day out. I was glad to be out of there.
Please visit these local CapeCodToday sponsors:
Intercity Alarms
We remember what is most important to you. It's impossible to place a value on the safety of your family, property and possessions. That's why our company is committed to providing the highest level of service, products and support to ensure your safety.
Campari's Community Works
A foundation helping kids through community events. Visit our site for events, monthly photos and see how you can help our local kids and their community. (Chatham)
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR COMMENTORS & BLOGGERS: CapeCodToday now requires a one-time validation of your account email. When logging in or registering for the first time, you will be emailed a link to click that will validate your email and complete your login. The link in the email must be clicked in the same session when you are logged into the site for security purposes (i.e. retrieve the email right away and do not close your web browser).

This is a one-time-only process (or if you change the email on your account), and will help CCToday keep out the spammers. If you cannot validate your email because it is invalid, and you are a legitimate user, feel free to contact us and we will update your account to your current email.

Please Login or Register to leave a comment. There are 3,188 registered commenters!

CapeCodToday requires readers register an account with us in order to post comments. Become a trusted commenter and receive the benefits of posting instantly throughout the site. It's quick and easy!

Please note: If you are a CapeCodToday registered blogger, you can use your blogger login. Your login for the blogs is separate from your CapeCodToday main site login (if you have one).

Previous/Next posts in this blog

About This Blog

murdercapecodChristopher 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.

- site sponsors -


CCT Blog Tools

Login to comment or manage your blog:

Username: 

Password:     

Become a CapeCodToday Blogger!

Are you passionate about your community? Do you blog or at least harbor thoughts of doing so?

If so, CapeCodToday.com would like to host your blog on our CapeCodToday weblog publishing platform.

Blog Newsfeed

CapeCodToday uses standard web "newsfeeds" (RSS) to automatically update the latest blog entries in your browser or newsreader.

Use any of the links below in your newsreader or web browser to get "Cape Cod Murder" postings delivered to you, or use the RSS icon in your browser's address bar.

RSS 2.0 Atom 0.3