Help Matthew Stewart
The third and final day brought in testimony from the informant Stacy Wilson and a few CSI and a ballistic witnesses. The thing that I need to remind myself and others is that in a preliminary hearing the prosecution has to bring forth evidence that incriminates the defendant Matthew to see if there is enough probable cause that a jury could possibly find him guilty on any/all the charges against him. There seems to be a feeling in the press that the prosecution won something… nobody won anything!
In a preliminary no one questions the validity of the evidence, or the credibility of any witnesses. It is also not a time for the defense to reveal much, if any, of their strategy or knowledge of the case.
In the prosecution’s closing arguments they accused Matthew of ambushing the officers while fully knowing who they are. Randy, Matthew’s attorney, responded. “The officer’s talk about only hearing certain things or tunnel vision, why can’t Matthew experience the same things?”. A good point.
“How can a man ambush anyone butt naked in a bath robe???” Matthew was only wearing a bath robe during this entire encounter which only solidifies his claim. He had gotten woken up, he couldn’t discern what anyone was yelling, thought his home was being invaded and he feared for his life and responded.
In the end Matthew did get bound over and the case will proceed to a jury trial, as expected.
Please do not lose hope or faith in Matthew’s fight for justice and thank you for your continued support! Please donate here.
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Anyone who has ever been in even just a fist fight will tell you once the adrenalin dumps into your system, certain senses are heightened and others are dulled. I have also been in firefights and hearing is always the first thing to go for me. Between the adrenaline and the deafening shoots of rounds, only a few shoots before you are effectively deaf.
I heard they were going for the death penalty. which blows my mind, because how can they prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that his shots were the ones that ended officer Francom’s life? Not to mention the fact that First degree requires some sort of premeditation. Last I checked they came to his house to “ambush” him. I guess the role of Stacy Wilson will be to establish the idea of premeditation.
Also, I read the officers said they didn’t think anyone was there. If that’s the case, I doubt they announced themselves as loud or as often as they claim. Besides the fact it took them bashing on the door 4 times to get in, I’m sure Matthew could hear them just fine through all that… (sarcasim)
Have they never heard of a bull horn? I’ve seen the Todd Blair video and I know exactly how they “announce” themselves. Then shoot first and ask questions later. “bang, bang, bang, get on the floor!” RIP Todd Blair.
I hope Matthew gets a jury that can see the holes in this case as clearly as I can, as to cast a reasonable doubt sufficient enough to clear him.
What time frame until the jury trial begins? Another 2 years I’m sure if the state has their way. That way he will be locked up for 3 years before his is proven guilty. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty anyway?
Sorry for my recent ramblings. I just think that every citizen should be worried about the outcome of this case. Guilty or Innocent, Matthew is entitled to a fair trial. I fear the Blue Shield may make that nearly impossible.
Thanks for the posts and the updates, I pray Matthew’s attorneys will preform to the best of their ability and he will get the justice he deserves.
Those cops should not have been there in the first place – someone growing pot plants is not worth risking anyone’s life over. I think the cops enjoy breaking into peoples homes and get a rush from it so they look for any case they can do that with, and now an officer is dead. They have only themselves to blame. Matthew should only be charged with the pot violation, its not his fault the cops wanted to play “commando” rather then just arresting him at work.