Ed Thomas' Killer, Mark Becker Trial

**Cybyassociation** · 02-12-2010, 02:59 PM

Starts today. Here is the live blog transcripts from the courtroom. Might be too much for some to read. Very graphic and I am getting very angry just reading it.

LIVE Blog: Mark Becker Murder Trial | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather | Local News

**mj4cy** · 02-12-2010, 02:59 PM

So the only take here is if he gets insanity? Otherwise, shouldn't it be cut and dry Becker was the killer with 20+ witnesses?

**Cybyassociation** · 02-12-2010, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by mjones34

So the only take here is if he gets insanity? Otherwise, shouldn't it be cut and dry Becker was the killer with 20+ witnesses?

Yeah. I dont think there is any question that Becker is the killer. He has been interviewed by police and told them that he killed Thomas.

Basic recap of the defense side of things: Becker is paranoid/schizofrenic. Heard voices. The night or week before when he was arrested for breaking into someones house was because voices told him to. Voices told him Ed Thomas was the devil. I guess the defense will have police testify that are going to say exactly how crazy Becker was in interviews. Apparently he saw "Lucifer" in the interview room.

**Tedcyclone** · 02-12-2010, 03:04 PM

me too,,, i cant even look at that frkn dip without wanting to **** myself... i could be in the court room if i was family or i would get arrested..

**mj4cy** · 02-12-2010, 03:08 PM

I think its a lose lose situation for everyone.

**Mr Janny** · 02-12-2010, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Cybyassociation

Yeah. I dont think there is any question that Becker is the killer. He has been interviewed by police and told them that he killed Thomas.

Basic recap of the defense side of things: Becker is paranoid/schizofrenic. Heard voices. The night or week before when he was arrested for breaking into someones house was because voices told him to. Voices told him Ed Thomas was the devil. I guess the defense will have police testify that are going to say exactly how crazy Becker was in interviews. Apparently he saw "Lucifer" in the interview room.

Interesting stat. The "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity" defense is successful less than 1% of the time. Hollywood would have you believe that murderers get off all the time using it, but in actuality it is rarely successful. ...The Chewbacca defense on the other hand...

**MoreCowbell** · 02-12-2010, 03:17 PM

I'm somewhat surprised they are still having the trial in Butler County.

**mj4cy** · 02-12-2010, 03:17 PM

What happens if he's not found guilty because of insanity? I get that if he's guilty he goes to prison.

Can he get help? I'm inspired the way the Thomas family has handled all of this.

**Cybyassociation** · 02-12-2010, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Janny

Interesting stat. The "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity" defense is successful less than 1% of the time. Hollywood would have you believe that murderers get off all the time using it, but in actuality it is rarely successful. ...The Chewbacca defense on the other hand...

Either way, I dont think it would hold up in this court room. Jurors sound to be at least 40 years old+ 10/6 Men to women. Defense would probably be looking for more women, they are probably pretty happy with 6. Not saying that women would be more likely to side with insanity but they are more likely to be more sympathetic. However, this is a very conservative area of Iowa. Very religious and close knit town. I find it hard to believe that you could find someone within the county borders that has not been affected by Ed Thomas in one way or another. My guess would be that this is going to be over as quick as it started. Becker may be sick, but from the sounds of things so far, he had this planned out.

**DRCHIRO** · 02-12-2010, 03:20 PM

Man, that is tough to read.

I can't imagine what both families are going through.

**Cybyassociation** · 02-12-2010, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by mjones34

What happens if he's not found guilty because of insanity? I get that if he's guilty he goes to prison.

Can he get help? I'm inspired the way the Thomas family has handled all of this.

You mean if he is found not guilty by means of insanity? I believe he would be convicted of something, whether that be man slaughter or a lesser form of murder, I do not know. I think I remember hearing somewhere that he would still get a life sentence, just with some sort of mental counseling. Either way, hes behind bars for good I believe.

**GeronimusClone** · 02-12-2010, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by DRCHIRO

Man, that is tough to read.

I can't imagine what both families are going through.

The amount of faith and forgiveness in that Thomas family is remarkable.

**Cybyassociation** · 02-12-2010, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by GeronimusClone

The amount of faith and forgiveness in that Thomas family is remarkable.

I think I read somewhere that they had the Becker family over either the night of the shooting, or the night after for dinner so the Beckers would not have to feel alone. It may have been the night of the funeral.

**GeronimusClone** · 02-12-2010, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Cybyassociation

I think I read somewhere that they had the Becker family over either the night of the shooting, or the night after for dinner so the Beckers would not have to feel alone. It may have been the night of the funeral.

Yeah, and the brother played football for the sons. Just amazing how they handle it.
I know I wouldn't be able to do that.