Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 160 views

    Court Observation

    Uploaded by

    Megan Conner
    The document summarizes Megan Conner's observation of a criminal court hearing in Okmulgee County District Court regarding the case of State of Oklahoma vs. Rashod Griffin for murder in the first degree. The hearing was tense with many law enforcement and family members present. The sole witness, who seemed nervous or impaired, provided conflicting testimony that was "confusing" and full of "I don't remember" responses under questioning. After lengthy examination, the judge ruled that the defendant should be bound over for trial in district court based on the state's evidence.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Court Observation

    Uploaded by

    Megan Conner
    160 views2 pages
    The document summarizes Megan Conner's observation of a criminal court hearing in Okmulgee County District Court regarding the case of State of Oklahoma vs. Rashod Griffin for murder in the first degree. The hearing was tense with many law enforcement and family members present. The sole witness, who seemed nervous or impaired, provided conflicting testimony that was "confusing" and full of "I don't remember" responses under questioning. After lengthy examination, the judge ruled that the defendant should be bound over for trial in district court based on the state's evidence.

    Original Description:

    Paper over a murder case trial as a witness

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document summarizes Megan Conner's observation of a criminal court hearing in Okmulgee County District Court regarding the case of State of Oklahoma vs. Rashod Griffin for murder in the first degree. The hearing was tense with many law enforcement and family members present. The sole witness, who seemed nervous or impaired, provided conflicting testimony that was "confusing" and full of "I don't remember" responses under questioning. After lengthy examination, the judge ruled that the defendant should be bound over for trial in district court based on the state's evidence.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    160 views2 pages

    Court Observation

    Uploaded by

    Megan Conner
    The document summarizes Megan Conner's observation of a criminal court hearing in Okmulgee County District Court regarding the case of State of Oklahoma vs. Rashod Griffin for murder in the first degree. The hearing was tense with many law enforcement and family members present. The sole witness, who seemed nervous or impaired, provided conflicting testimony that was "confusing" and full of "I don't remember" responses under questioning. After lengthy examination, the judge ruled that the defendant should be bound over for trial in district court based on the state's evidence.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 2

    Conner 1

    Megan Conner

    Okmulgee District Court

    314 W. 7th Okmulgee, OK 74447

    State of Oklahoma VS. Rashod Griffin CF-2019-00069

    Judge Pandee Ramirez

    Murder – First Degree

    1:30pm Hearing (Duration of stay – 2 hours)

    Monday, October 28, 2019

    Court Observation Assignment: Criminal

    Upon entering the courtroom, it was a very hostile environment. There were several

    Okmulgee county sheriff officials, numerous family members of both parties, and myself. I did

    take time to review the court documents for before this preliminary hearing. The said accuser

    Rashod Griffin according to one state witness testimony walked up to the witnesses’ resident and

    opened fire injuring her and her boyfriend but also killing her 17-week old fetus. This is where

    the Murder First Degree was filed and Griffin has been being held in the Okmulgee County Jail

    since March of this year. The defendant was present and handcuffed with paid counsel.

    “All rise” was stated for the preceding judge and followed was Okmulgee County District

    Attorney Carol Iske and staff. The court session began with the state calling the sole witness to

    this case I believe she stated she was 21 years of age. Initially, she seemed very nervous to me

    and maybe just maybe a little under the influence of something. When the district attorney was

    handling her with care on asking questions I just kept looking at the police whom were looking

    at me and I am so surprised I did not let them know before hand on why I was there. This hearing
    Conner 2

    was at a very slow pace I am only assuming this is how the criminal court hearings are since an

    individual’s freedom is on the line. Very thorough!

    After the state prosecutor was done with the witness the defendants attorney Donn Baker

    then went at her and must I say this part was very exciting from my point of view. He was

    questioning her as she stole something for a duration of about 45 minutes. The witness whole

    testimony consisted of confusion and the response of “I don’t really remember” was her go to

    answer. I know she was very nervous because the District Attorney kept using the term

    “badgering” when referencing the lawyer. It was sort of like a television serious of Law & Order

    SUV. Once the lawyer was done the state cross examined and then the lawyer starting yelling

    “leading”. As I said it was a very hostile environment. The witness then left the room.

    Lastly, the state then rest and the judge response after this preliminary hearing was to

    bind the defendant over to the district court. I was sitting there in complete amazement just by

    knowing this is all the state had and it was enough to take away someone’s freedom for the past

    eight months and depending on how long he will have to fight the state.

    In conclusion, I previously have had experience sitting in on a couple of civil cases

    involving my father’s rental business evictions. Of course these proceedings have to be heard

    just as well as major crimes but I would say I enjoy the criminal hearing aspect much more.

    Also, I am proud of the American court system for being so precise on the law although I

    do not agree with somethings it doesn’t necessarily mean I am against the bigger aspect. A lot of

    people refer to the court system as “guilty until proven innocent” and in some cases I believe it

    has some truth behind it.

    You might also like