The number of hits

[RayS]

The ME who did the autopsies said it happened after 11pm. Who agrees with this?

I do not agree with this. The testimony given during the trial gave an estimated time of death. That initial estimate was between 9:40 pm on June 12 and 12:13 am on June 13 at around the time the bodies were discovered. By the contents of Nicole's stomach, it was further approximated that she died somewhere between 10-10:30 pm. She had completed her last meal between 8- 8:30 pm. Nicole's dog was heard to start barking (some neighbors described it as a wail) and acting aggitated at around 10:15-10:20. This is when I would estimate the time of the murders to be taking place, if it was me.

The Medical Examiner who did the autopsies gave his testimony under oath at the Preliminary Hearing. It was more or less censored in the press, IMO. His testimony was never changed at the trial; to prevent it, he wasn't called! Instead, the appointed head of the dept was called to give testimony that would support the prosecution. Does no one see anything wrong with this? Look up definition of "Prosecutorial Perjury".
As I remember reading about it, the stomach of Nicole was discarded during the autopsy. No mention why (I think it was empty and had no bearing on the case). A stomach will empty in 2-3 hours or so. It was Ron's stomach that had contents (spinach or salad?).
The cup of ice cream in Nicole's house suggests a late night snack when she was feeling hungry. What about all those lit candles in her house?
No dog ever testified as to barking or wailing at that time; its not possible to identify it without an eyewitness. (I read that many people there had dogs.) "A dog that barked in the night" can signify many things, IMO.
Funny thing about a dog that barked in the night. I heard one person say it was a sign that someone had died. I didn't mention that the late night activity of an ambulance and going to the hospital might have set off the dog. I don't speak "dog" and couldn't talk to him. Those who can are welcome to speak out (or bark, as the case may be).
The limo driver arrived about 10:22. During the time he waited for the 10:45 pickup time, he saw no cars or people arrive or leave at OJ's compound. That's how I remember it.
Is there any one good book on this case?

[RayS]

I just called the Allegheny County Coroner's Office to speak to someone because I had a question. I wanted to know how quickly blood would actually begin to clot enough to prevent the body from bleeding out any significant quantities of blood after death. I was informed that once the blood had stopped circulating it can begin to happen pretty rapidly, because the blood becomes stagnant in the veins. Which is pretty much what I figured anyway. But I was told there are other factors that can make this estimate of time a little more variable. Such as the size and location of the wounds, blood pressure of the victim, the temperature, whether or not a major artery was damaged, position of the body, and a few others. But I was told that the process generally begins pretty quickly.

Post mortem lividity generally doesn't happen in just one or two random locations on the body. Post Mortem lividity is the blood settling in the veins, it's the pull of the blood downward by gravity. It settles in the lowest parts of your body after death. Since I already had the ME on the line for one question, I asked him exactly where you could expect to find post mortem lividity on a body that was found lying face down. He said in the face, stomach, and the front of the legs. Whatever parts of the body are lowest to the ground. I told him I was sorry that I had called to ask him so many morbid questions.

I wonder if there is someway of making a computer SIM of Abby? By that I mean have a program on your computer where you can create a 60+ year old short woman, over weight and possibly having high blood pressure. Then create the scene in the guest bedroom. I wonder if you could recreate her fall on a computer by matching the photos? Is that possible?

I have another question. Was there any blood found on the ceiling of the guest room? If so, would the height of the killer explain why or why not blood was found on the ceiling? I'm thinking of the first hit to Abby's head while she was still standing. I'm picturing the killer hitting her and then raising her/his hand up high holding the hatchet and getting ready to hit her again.

A computer simulation is not facts; it merely shows what the designer wants to show. Are they allowed in courtrooms?

[RayS]

i wish everyone could see the photo of abby we saw at the FRHS.

it appears that a huge flow of blood came out of her head and almost solidified there -- somewhat like rubber or glue. i was struck by the mass of it.
BTW, is harry W.C. Fields now? i just saw that today.

Actually, any head wound will bleed copiously. It looks bad, but usually isn't. Any damage would come from the force of the blow (concussion). IMO

[RayS]

Here's a speculation that may interest you. I got the idea from a mystery novel.

Supposes somebody said "Dear Abby, here is a free dress that may fit you". And as Abby pulled the dress over her head the hatchet struck 19 times. The cloth kept the blood from spurting all over. Pulling off the dress pulled Abby's arms away from her body. Rolling up the dress and putting it in a rubberized cloth game bag would dispose of it.

Later this person says "Dear Andrew, here is a free pullover sweater to try on". The hatchet strikes again, reducing blood splatter. Into the game bag it goes. And the murderer leaves by the kitchen door.

Since this is speculation, feel free to comment pro and con.

When the cat's away, the mice will play.

[Angel]

A macabre vision entered my head while I was watching TAPS investigate the Borden house. Imagine Lizzie waiting for the exact moment for the Courthouse clock to start striking and then her synchronizing the sound with the chopping of her father's head...hence the eleven strikes.

[Kat]

It was 10 hits, but I can picture that!
I think it was in the movie, too, wasn't it?
I think I remember actually seeing that?

[theebmonique]

I don't find it macabre at all Angel...very insightful actually ! Good thinking !


Tracy...

[RayS]

It was 10 hits, but I can picture that!
I think it was in the movie, too, wasn't it?
I think I remember actually seeing that?

Maybe the killer short-changed Andy!? The apple falls near the tree.