From the Dr. Drew show, May 28

(I have paraphrased)

 

Featuring jurors: Diane Schwartz- #6 & Tara Kelley- #17 (an alternate)

1.You voted for death?  

D (Diane):  Yes I did.

How hard was that?  I can’t express how hard it was, it was what I believed my whole life. That you need to be held accountable. The day it was turned over to us I went home and spent the whole night thinking if  she could be put to death. I looked at all the aggravating factors; the brutality, the cover up, the lack of remorse, the untruthfulness all the way through. The mitigators just did not weigh enough.

 

2.  Do you know the other four jurors reasons for life?

D: They all felt there were mitigators. Look at the eight mitigators …I can’t remember all eight- what she could accomplish, she was 27, no criminal history, abused as child & with Travis…that was key to many. Plus evidence in the case could be used… like the texts and the voice mails- some felt there was some abuse there…it was up to each person.

 

3. When you knew you were to be an alternate how did that feel?

T (Tara):  It was very devastating when I heard my number called…when we left the room I started crying. I was invested…I asked a lot of questions. I thought Jodi deserved death as well.

 

4. Tara, tell us one of those Snarky questions you asked.

T: I really wanted to know- I asked her: ‘After all the lies you told how can we believe you are telling the truth now? I know I personally did not believe her.

 

5. Tara- on twitter you wrote: ”Jodi is Psycho”-what did you mean by that?

T:I meant that she did all of this stuff and she can literally sit there …with a straight face…how could you if you’re a normal human being?

 

6. Do you feel the system was served (no penalty)?

D: We have to believe in the system do I like it- no. It’s an individual choice, a hard decision to make. This was the hardest 5 months of anything that I’ve gone through. It’s part of our system and we have to abide by it.

 

7. Why did you mouth the words: “I’m sorry” to the Alexander’s?

D: ”I’m sorry” came right out of my heart. We were very invested…5 months…there’s a lot of emotion there. Then the deliberations… we worked well together to get pre-meditated Murder and aggravated, and then to not be able to issue unanimous decision…I took it very personally.  There was no way we could get there.

 

8. Tara, if you were called do you think you could have made a difference?

T: I’m only 1 vote…but if able to give my perspective and how things happened…maybe I could have swayed some…

 

9. How about the impact statements?

D: When they call them an impact statement, let me tell you- the impact statement had an impact that was unreal. I wanted to reach out & hold them…they were so distraught. We didn’t know who the families were…I didn’t know there were 8 siblings. I was so distraught over not being able to reach a verdict…and as I walked out it was heartfelt…I just did it (said “I’m sorry”).

T: The impact statements were one of the top emotional days of my life- she did so much more than kill Travis, it affected so many more lives out there. I didn’t know the verdict…when it was read I lost it. I felt like the family was let down. You could tell the family wanted the DP.

 

10. Tara, were you aware of the interview tapes?

T: I had a lot of sleepless nights then I got caught up in the clips. The most disturbing to me was when she said:  “Gosh Jodi, you should have put on some makeup” –she showed no remorse- she was worried about what she would look like when her picture was taken.

D: The tapes- I hadn’t seen those- they were new to me. It’s all about Jodi-her feelings, her way that she presents. Her statements in the penalty phase were very disingenuous, very disengaged, it’s all about Jodi. The family- the word sorry never ever came out…I didn’t believe a thing I heard.

 

11. Tara, you had a little reaction from her- no?

T: Yes, the stare downs. I would look to see what she was doing…you should be engaged in what’s going on, your life is on the line! She would be staring at me … then write something down, trying to get me kicked off?  It just showed me that she had no remorse- was not even interested in what was happening in her trial.

 

12. What U thought of Alyce LaViolette?

D: Alyce knew her topic, but was not an expert in terms of answering questions and presenting her side…more of a supporter of Jodi. She got very confused…

T: I wrote a question for Alyce- “Did PTSD have anything to do with what happened to Travis?” It had nothing to do with what was going on.

 

13. Did the foreman sway anyone?

D: No. He submits questions, signs forms and makes sure we don’t kill each other…we weren’t contentious…the attitudes of life were individual. There was absolutely no swaying. For me-this is what I, myself look at…can you give me anything that I am missing? The foreman didn’t have leverage/didn’t push us at all.

 

14. Diane, because it’s such a personal choice do you think they can reach a unanimous decision?  

D: It’s extremely hard, Mark, such a personal decision. I’d love to debate it because I think a minority won…if you were in the minority.

 

15. Have you learned anything the public was privy to that would have helped you?

T: Yes, one of the biggest things were interrogation videos of the parents- she was troubled since her early years.

D: I think so too…I also believe there was some significant amount about   stalking.

 

16. In room where you can finally speak to each other what’s the first thing that happened?

D: The first thing- we hugged & cried. There was a sharing of emotion. Since then a few of us have talked about the tapes, the interviews after the verdict- saying: ‘Can U believe it?’ Just another indication of the manipulation and game playing.

 

17. What about the Survivor T-Shirt?

T: I really didn’t understand the point that she was trying to make- she was already convicted, we didn’t believe she was abused…so really didn’t understand the concept…

 

18. Was there anything compelling from defense?

D: When Jodi first started I felt a little bit of doubt in my mind…am I really believing or am I making an opinion? They had a very difficult job.

 

19. Did you know about the entire world watching this trial?                  

T: We had no idea, they did a good job of keeping it away. We went out (of the building) different ways. I told them at my house it’s Lifetime, sports or Nickelodeon. I heard so much at court I didn’t want to go home and watch, and we weren’t supposed to.

 

20. You all were asked if could give the DP what pieces of the trial were used to not enforce death?

D: Looking at the mitigating- the abuse was biggest- the texts indicated some verbal and emotional (not physical) abuse. (Drew- you didn’t know the context).

 

21. Was there anything about her to give you compassion?

D: Not to me there wasn’t. At that point we had so much info and the lack of remorse there was just not a redeeming factor for me.

 

22. This trial went the way the public wanted but in other trials jurors had a lot of heat from the public. Were you worried about that?

D: It was never a discussion, we never had that feeling at all. We looked at it (the case) analytically. There was never any discussion of what the public would think.

 

23. What did you think of Juan?

T: During jury selection I was scared of him When he was in his element you could see his passion. He spoke for the family and as the voice of Travis. He was very effective, but sometimes a little too much…

 

24. Tara has a question: As far as Dr. Demarte diagnosing her with BPD…is that how you felt?  Dr. Drew:  We did…borderline with psychopathy…

 (Another guest) When she killed she was textbook psychopath…one of the scariest people walking this planet because she was cloaked in this little girl.

(Another guest)BPD very rarely become murderers-usually hurt self.

 

25. How do you feel knowing about a 2^nd jury having to come in?

D: I feel hopeful, don’t know how they will present all the info but premeditation stands, aggravating stands, … I’m hopeful they can be objective.

 

26. Your feelings about Jodi doodling?

T: She was so disengaged except when her lawyer was speaking…a turn off for me. I felt like if your life is on line you should be paying attention, be remorseful.

 

27. If not self defense then why did she do it?

D: My personal belief- she was just obsessed with him- she couldn’t let him go….

 

28. Will you be disappointed if she doesn’t get death?

D: No, I won’t be…my own personal feeling- a little bit of disappointment.

T: …I would be disappointed but not upset.