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Second day of a rape trial. 

Today (Tuesday) the trial centered on the testimony of two (alleged) victims from 2012 and two from 2018. They were all minors at the time, one is now about 18 years old.

After yesterday, a big difference was that the defendant, still representing himself, questioned each witness.

At least three were highly effective witnesses. They were consistent, calm, clear, and... under cross-examination, they spoke directly to the defendant, didn't flinch, and accused him of sexual abuse and violence. One witness was especially riveting and even inspiring, in her courage and power to confront him.

I believe that they way he did the questioning, though rather restrained and conversational at times, can only undermine his defense. For instance, he put himself into their narratives, which they repeated thru their answers, and they stood up to his challenges.

(An 11 year old was somewhat less effective, possibly confused by the sometimes repetitive and rapid-fire questions.)

After the jury left, the defendant was standing up, looked at me and asked who I was. Not surprising -- after all, it was a rather intimate space and I was the only member of the public. I'm sure he had seen me earlier. So I told him that I'm a professor from Miami University. He came across as relaxed and personable.

I chatted briefly with the prosecutor. Among other things, she mentioned that she's a Miami graduate.

https://www.facebook.com/hcgray/posts/10161749241145335

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