I spoke privately with the grand mother of Jaren Lockhart’s daughter. The Kulick family says “justice has been served and they want to thank the court system.”
Speaks walks out of courtroom with lips pursed.
September 14th date set for multiple offender proceeding for Terry Speaks.
Judge calls murder of Jaren “horrendous” Maximum sentence of 40 years for first count of obstruction of justice. Maximum sentence of 20 years for second count of obstruction of justice. Sentences run consecutive to life in prison sentence. 30 days to appeal. Benz says harsh sentencing. Speaks is 4th felony offender. Multiple offender proceeding filed against him. Speaks pleads not guilty to that.
Judge says appropriate sentence and mandatory sentence: Terry Speaks sentenced to life in prison. Someone from audience whispers ‘yes’
Miss Donna Kulick about to give statement. She is the grandmother of Jaren’s daughter.She starts crying immediately: “Words cannot express the anger and pain we have endured since her murder.” “Many nights we had to hold and console Riley, because she would be missing her mommy and not understanding why she had to go away and leave her.” “To this day, Riley will cry when thinking about Jaren.” “We have only told her that mommy is in heaven with Jesus. We dread the day we have to tell her.” “We are glad we can tell her justice was served and you will never be able to hurt her or anyone else again.” “The loss of a mother is beyond words. There’s no more family celebrations or activities to share.” (Pauses, I am sorry) “The laughter hugs and sense of security and those opportunities to say, “I love you’ are forever gone.” “Our family is forever broken. May God forgive you because we are not able to find it in our hearts to forgive you for what you have done to this family. And more importantly what you have done to Riley.” She started sobbing after finished.
Judge: In course of case, did not see any mental limitations to any extent, frankly. Not raised before trial or during trial.
JUDGE DECIDES: Sufficient evidence to justify the ruling in this case. Court denies request for new trial.
Benz says he’s not sure how that’s relevant. Court needs to take cognizance of mental problems would the court have allowed him to represent himself? And the answer at that point would be no. Deserves new trial. ADA calls “scant allegations”.
ADA says new trial motion should be denied. Presenting Speaks’s prior convictions, raising more questions about this ‘insanity plea’.
FYI, according to state website:
Art. 821. Motion for post verdict judgment of acquittal A. The defendant may move for a post
verdict judgment of acquittal following the verdict. A motion for a
post verdict judgment of acquittal must be made and disposed of before
sentence.
B. A post verdict judgment of
acquittal shall be granted only if the court finds that the evidence,
viewed in a light most favorable to the state, does not reasonably
permit a finding of guilty.
C. If the court finds that the
evidence, viewed in a light most favorable to the state, supports only a
conviction of a lesser included responsive offense, the court, in lieu
of granting a post verdict judgment of acquittal, may modify the verdict
and render a judgment of conviction on the lesser included responsive
offense.
D. If a post verdict judgment of
acquittal is granted or if a verdict is modified, the state may seek
review by invoking the supervisory jurisdiction of or by appealing to
the appropriate appellate court.
E. If the appellate court finds that
the evidence, viewed in a light most favorable to the state, supports
only a conviction of a lesser included responsive offense, the court, in
lieu of granting a post verdict judgment of acquittal, may modify the
verdict and render a judgment of conviction on the lesser included
responsive offense.
ADA Freese says that mental history is a claim, no evidence.
ADA Freese says this argument is “completely without merit.”
Judge allowing motion filed for new trial and post judgment of acquittal.
Judge has asked them to step up to the bench.
Speaks attorney Benz says that he wants to see the motion before he makes a decision, he may want to adopt the motion. Asking for a continuance of some kind.
Assistant District Attorney asks if Benz and Speaks are deciding to call off new trial motion, since Speaks has filed a new demand. Benz says he hasn’t seen the motion and needs time. Assistant District Attorney says he doens’t: “You can’t have it both ways…Is he representing himself or is he not?”
Mr. Speaks has informed his lawyer that he has filed a post-defer judgment on this matter. Clerk has not received it yet, but he has put it in the mail.
December 7th selected as trial date. Judge says this date is far enough in advance you can plan your schedules accordingly. Judge anticipates it should be able to move forward, but by August 10th date that you raise any issues or concerns. Sanchez’s lawyer says by the middle of August she can give an idea of where they will be for December 7th. August 10th for status hearing on Margaret Sanchez’s case. Sanchez’s presence waived.
Speaks is no longer wearing the jacket and tie he wore during the trial. Now, he’s handcuffed in an orange jumpsuit. He is expected to file a motion for a new trial today (more details in the script above).
Sanchez, the then-girlfriend and alleged accomplice to Terry Speaks, has a trial date hearing scheduled for today. Sanchez is not in court. Speaks is, scheduled for sentencing.
Family of Jaren Lockhart in the courtroom. The judge has entered and now the Assistant DA Doug Freese is speaking privately with the judge and the lawyer of accused murderer Margaret Sanchez.