John Button Case: Evidence and Defense

• Motive is not required to prove guilt, but evidence of emotional distress and coercive interrogation practices can impact the reliability of a confession.
• Such evidence is relevant in establishing the fault element of any alleged offence.
• John Button maintains his innocence, claiming his confession was forced.

Evidence Analysis

• The prosecution may point to damage and blood on John's car as key evidence.
• John explains the car's damage was pre-existing from a minor collision three weeks before the incident involving Rosemary.
• There's no prior evidence or testimony suggesting abuse by John; instead, there's positive attestation of his character.
• John had plans for a future with Rosemary.

Defense Opening Statement (Cate & Bethany)

• John Button is wrongfully accused; Rosemary's death was a tragic accident.
• John was concerned for Rosemary's safety after an argument and tried to follow her.
• Upon finding Rosemary injured, John rushed her to the hospital.
• John lacks a history of violence and is characterized as compassionate and caring.
• John was mentally intimidated into signing a confession during a grueling 5-hour investigation.
• He was under emotional distress and not permitted support from family or lawyers.
• Rosemary's blood on John's car is explained by him carrying her to the car after the accident.
• The defense urges the jury to consider the circumstances under which the evidence was obtained.

John Button's Testimony (Malu)

• John was distressed by the argument with Rosemary and her sudden departure.
• He followed her in his car out of concern for her safety.
• He found Rosemary injured and believed she was the victim of a hit-and-run.
• John immediately carried Rosemary to his car to seek help.
• He maintains he never intended to harm Rosemary.
• The confession was a result of a coercive 5-hour interrogation without legal or family support.
• John denies Rosemary rejected him in the car and causing a fight.
• He was planning to marry her and would never hurt her.
• John asks the court to consider that his confession was not a true admission of guilt but rather the result of coercive circumstances.

Cross-Examination (Theo)

• The investigation may have been subject to tunnel vision.
• The vehicle strike is not supported by DNA or forensic evidence.
• The car dent pre-dates the incident.
• The 5-hour interrogation, combined with emotional distress due to Rosemary's death, could explain John's stuttering - not a sign of guilt.
• A report of a prior accident involving John's car and a Ford Prefect exists, supporting his explanation for the car's damage.
• This raises reasonable doubt about whether John hit Rosemary.

Defense Closing Statement (Scott & Chelsie)

• John Button is known as a gentle, caring man who loved Rosemary and wanted a future with her.
• He was in an emotional state during the investigation and lacked clear thinking.
• He wasn't given time to think or contact family for support.
• The blood on his car can be explained by the accident three weeks prior.
• The jury should release John Button and allow him time to heal.

Defending Against False Confession Allegations

• False confessions are a leading cause of wrongful convictions.
• Police-induced confessions often occur in serious cases like homicides.
• A significant percentage of false confessions are from individuals under 25.
• A notable percentage of false confessors have mental impairments, but many do not.
• Common misconceptions exist about the frequency of false confessions.
• Grief can cause changes in memory, behavior, and sleep.
• Grief can lead to feelings of vulnerability and fear, increasing the likelihood of confessing falsely.
• Traumatic loss can trigger fight-or-flight responses, leading to cognitive effects.
• False confessions are more likely during long interrogations.
• John was consumed by grief and interrogated for 5 hours, making him vulnerable.

Defending Against Stuttering as an Indicator of Guilt

• Neurogenic stuttering can result from head trauma or brain injury.
• Stuttering is linked to psychological trauma.
• Anxiety can amplify stuttering but is not a direct cause.

Defending Against Forensic Evidence Inconsistencies

• Limited or unreliable forensics have played a role in wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence.