Ted_Daniel's Blog

If you watched us Monday night you might have seen the story.   I was in Manchester, N.H. reporting on an effort by a national advocacy group called Stop Internet Predators.  A big focus of this group is to get Google to remove any images of children on their  "Street View" maps.  If your not familiar with street view you can easily check it out on Google.  So far they have street level images from 60 U.S. cities.  Basically a Google truck drives around taking pictures of neighborhoods and the images are uploaded into map form.

If a child happens to be in a front yard at the time when the Google truck is photographing the child will be in the image and because the street number and name is listed you know exactly where the photo was taken.

As a parent I understand why some may be concerned, but Google is taking the pictures from public streets.  It's the same thing anyone walking in the neighborhood or driving by would see.  I just have to wonder if a predator would really spend the time to search google maps for children to target.   I looked for a 1/2 hour using street view in Manchester N.H. while researching the story and couldn't find one image of a child.  If a parent does happen to see their child on street view they can request that Google remove it.

It's just my opinion but making this a high priority seems a little over the top.  I do applaud this group because they care,  but aren't there more important things to focus on like tougher sentences and better monitoring of the sex offenders we do know about. 

ok, Let me have it...

  

Not every story we pitch makes it on TV so I was glad when the special projects producers gave me the green light for this one.  We are all feeling the pain at the pump and this winter is going to be costly at home. 

As the owner of a home with an older oil burner I am very interested in finding ways to save money.

Here is what I found:

Of course you can weather-strip and improve insulation but that's only going to save so much.

Bottom line, and it's what I expected...it's going to cost you to save money.  New heating systems can run from 5 to 25 thousand depending on what you need. 

The upside is this...Based on today's market the pay off for switching to a high efficiency natural gas system from an older oil system could happen in as soon as 5 years.   Yes, Natural gas is up and may continue to rise but so far it has not spiked like oil and from we have seen over the last couple of years the oil market appears a lot more volatile.  Last year the average natural gas customer paid about 800 dollars less to heat their home and when you raise your efficiency by 30 percent your using less fuel.  It's also helps the value of your home

The real hook is some of the low/no interest loans that exist.  Basically you finance through a bank and if you qaulify the utility company will buy down the loan reducing the interest.  Here is the deal though...there's a lot of hoops to go through to qaulify.  I called my gas company to inquire about my house.  I already have a line in to the house for cooking but not for heat.  When I asked if I was eligible for the MASSSAVE heat loan they told me no because my electricity is provided by another utility.   Why that should matter I still don't know.

Your current system also has to be below a certain efficency level to qualify for the best loans so you need to schedule an inspection.  If your considering making a change make sure you do your homework and don't wait around.  Natural Gas utilities are getting flooded with calls right now.

A lot of the heating/cooling companies provide free inspections and estimates if your considering making a change.  Even if your not sure your ready to pull the trigger it may be a good idea to have it done so you at least know what your options are.

If you have any other suggestions please chime in. Unless you have money to burn your probably in the same boat!!   

Ted Daniel

It certainly wasn't like any bus I have ever been on before.  This thing is a moving political machine with everything from Secret Service to a bathroom.

Everything moves on a very tight schedule in a Presidential campaign.

After we went through a security sweep a handler managed our every move.

Once you have been swept you're "clean" and you have to stay in a monitored environment the whole time or you become "dirty."  Yes, I even asked permission to use the bathroom. On the whole, things were very efficient and the press person with us was all business.  She even knew the exact color temperature of the lights on the bus for the photographer.

Myself and 3 other reporters got about a half an hour with McCain and it was just us with him on the back of his bus.  Regardless of what you think of his politics McCain is a very impressive man with amazing credentials and I think most would agree he is in it for the right reasons.

In the TV coverage I focused a lot on how McCain really appears to be going after Obama especially on Iraq.

Of course the McCain camp is very aware Obama is getting a lot of mileage from his trip there.  McCain continues to tout what he describes as successes in Iraq and says if we had pulled out as Obama wanted the country would be an even bigger mess.

McCain has also made energy independence a high priority and if you didn't know supports more US drilling and expanded nuclear energy programs.

No big bombshells from McCain and I didn't expect any.  He may be a maverick...but he's also a seasoned politician.

Probably my most exciting bus ride so far...sure beats public transportation!

It's coming...we just don't when.
When the verdict is read we will hear one of three things

-Guilty: First Degree Murder
-Guilty: Second Degree Murder
-NOT Guilty

If Neil Entwistle is found Guilty of First Degree murder for the deaths of Rachel and Lillian under pre-established state guidelines he will automatically get sentenced to life w/out parole. The judge will just have to decide whether or not to give him two life sentences for both deaths or have them run concurrent. Life is Life....but sometimes judges like to make statements. Neil would be a convicted "baby killer" in that case and might get special arrangements to protect him in prison

If it's second degree murder Neil would be eligible for parole in 15 years if the sentences run concurrent.  If they are consecutive it would be 30 years.

If the formal sentencing is done right away Rachel's family members will be given the opportunity to make victim impact statements. 

Neil would also have the opportunity to address the court but don't expect him to say a damn thing if he's found guilty, because you know there will be an appeal.

If Neil Entwistle is found NOT Guilty. He walks out of court a free man and rides off into the sunset.  In other words he hops the first flight home to England with his family

Oh, one more thing...If it's a HUNG jury disregard everything you just read.

The wait has begun... and maybe it's the coffee, but I can't kick that jittery feeling I normally get before a verdict is handed down in a big case.

I have been living this trial for the last 3 weeks and I have to say as a journalist it's been a very interesting experience.  I get to focus on one story.

Most of us are waiting outside the courthouse either in the media "cage" (yes, that's what one court officer called it) or in the back of the building where all the live trucks are parked.  There are so many reporters from the U.K. (British accents everywhere)

The lawyers, detectives who investigated the case, family and friends of Rachel Entwistle, Neil's family, and of course Neil are all here.
In fact the defense team -- Elliot Weinstein and Stephanie Page -- strolled by a short time ago.
They appeared to be out for a walk.  I guess you have to pass the time some how. 

The jury is made up of six men and six women - and it's a fairly young group.
There are two members who appear to be in their early 20's.
The foreman is a guy in his 40's.

You are never supposed to try and guess what a jury is going to do but I will go out on a limb and say I expect a verdict no later than Wednesday afternoon.

Neil looked confident as always this morning.  That may change though... and based on the evidence we all heard it may be sooner than later.

Stay Tuned.

Wow, 12 days of Testimony some 40 witnesses... but now it's over.
The Defense and Prosecution have rested.  The jury is being charged as I write this.

Closing Arguments lasted about an hour and for the first time Prosecutor Michael Fabrii got to lay it all out.  The whole chain of events as the state sees them... not just bits and pieces from witnesses.  Powerful and possibly the final nail in the coffin for this well-educated computer engineer from the small town of Worksop, England.

Here are some of my notes from Closing arguments

Prosecution:

• Neil had some sort of notebook or diary on him when he was arrested in the U.K. and in it a reference to "shopping his story to the highest bidder".
• This is only weeks after his wife and daughter were killed!
• Neil also had a newspaper clipping advertising escorts when arrested in the U.K.
• Prosecutor Fabrii said Neil pulled the comforter over his wife and daughter to "close them off".  He went on to say  "the crying and screaming coming out of Lilian I suggest he could not tolerate".
• Prosecutor Fabrii picked up the gun and demonstrated how hard it would have been for Rachel to shoot herself in the top of the head like the defense says she did.
• Fabrii made a big point that if this was a murder/suicide and it just happened why didn't Neil call 911?
• Replayed the voicemail Neil left for his landlord's attorney where he casually said he was interested in the items left at Cubs Path home.

Defense:

• Everything Neil did for his family is because he "loved them".
• How could he look at a picture of his daughter on the homepage of his computer screen
• right after killing her?
• The authorities never even considered suicide even though Rachel had gun shot residue on her hand.
• One of the investigators wrote Neil's name as the "suspect" on case paperwork immediately after the bodies were discovered clouding the judgement of nvestigators.
• Yes, Neil went to Carver to return his father-in-law's gun but only to protect Rachel.
• Neil was in a trance-like state after the murders and that's why some of his recorded statements to cops didn't make sense.
• For the umpteenth time, "things aren't always what they appear to be".

Stay Close to the internet or TV.
We may get a verdict very soon.

One of the last and most crucial pieces of the prosecution's case was played in court today.

A 2-hour phone call Neil Entwistle had with a state police investigator one day after the bodies had been discovered.

Neil talked to Sgt. Robert Manning from his parents’ home in England and gave permission for the call to be recorded. Manning is so professional - you could tell he is very good at his job...keeps the call going and appears to gain the trust of Neil.

Here are some of the notes I took.

-Neil says he's not sure why he never called 911 or for that matter ANYONE after discovering his wife and daughter.

Trooper Manning: “I am having a hard time understanding why you didn't call 911.”
Neil: “Yeah, I can understand that.”

-Neil still hadn't had a "proper" cry yet.

-Neil says he never stopped to get money before hopping a plane to England. That's strange considering there's surveillance video and several ATM RECORDS!

-Neil says he noticed they had been shot BEFORE the detective even mentions cause of death.

-Neil sounds very surprised that he could even be considered a suspect.

-Neil respects Rachel's parents as much as his but doesn't even contact them.

-Neil noticed "bubbles" coming from Lilly's mouth.

-Here's why Neil says he covered the bodies with a comforter: "I almost felt like I was closing them off, I don’t know why, I don’t know why I did it."

-Neil decided not to kill himself because it would hurt too much (he says this in a whimpering voice).

My job is to remain impartial...I will be, honest it's very difficult. Anyone who heard the phone call should know what I mean.

We were all waiting to see how Neil Entwistle's lead defense attorney Elliot Weinstein
would respond to a day and half of testimony about the sex/escort websites Neil (or someone using his computer) visited in the days and weeks before the murders.

He didn't.  Not one question relating to the sex sites while cross examining the Medford detective who analyzed the Toshiba laptop computer.
He's challenged most of the other prosecution witnesses but not this one

On the swinger site "Adult Friend Finder" we learned today user ENT wrote that he had just moved here from England and wanted to "confirm" that American women were better than English women in bed.

Other sites visited include
half price hookers dot com
hot local escorts dot com
naughty escorts nightlife.

We also just learned that it appears Rachel and Baby Lilian didn't suffer.
Both were killed instantly.

It's hard not to be affected by the testimony of the medical examiner who is describing
the autopsies.  Lilian was 21 pounds when she was killed.



 

Just your everyday google search, right? 

I think not, but according to a Medford police detective who analyzed search records on Neil Entwistle's lap top those are the exact words Entwistle (or someone using his account) searched 4 days before his wife and daughter were murdered.

One of the sights he clicked on recommended slicing the torso, "below the rib cage"

And that's not all, according to the records it also appears "the loving husband and father"
was looking for half price escorts online the same day.

It has taken 40 witnesses but it appears the tide is starting to turn against our reserved
and dapper defendant.

And something that interested me... we finally know what Neil's voice sounds like.  A voicemail was played in court where Neil instructs his landlord to among other things to set aside the jewelery left in the Hopkington house he abondoned when he
returned to England.

ok, so if you are in the jury box what are you thinking?

The jury heard today what has been suspected all along.

Score one for the prosecution; Neil Entwistle's DNA is all over the murder weapon.

A State Police DNA expert  testified that Neil's DNA matches samples taken from the grip, cylinder, and muzzle of the 22 caliber Colt revolver.  His DNA was also found on the trigger lock.

This is an exact science - the probability is 5 trillion to one

This is important because yesterday the jury may have been left with some doubt.
A State Police chemist testified that no gun shot residue was found in Neil's BMW, or on the sweater he left in the SUV before he hopped a flight to England. 
The same chemist also said gun shot residue was found on Rachel's hand.
Of course that doesn't mean she fired the gun, but how did it get there? 

The gun belongs to Rachel's step-dad.
Expect the defense to make much of that, and the fact that Neil shot it at least twice at a shooting range with his in-laws before the murders.

Also, the Judge ruled today that jury will not get to see a nude photo Neil reportedly posted a website for swingers.  It apparently doesn't show his face and the defense has argued it's not him.

It's Friday Everyone - day six of testimony so it's time to breakdown what we have seen so far. Based on the testimony (what the jury has seen) here are what I believe are some of the stronger points for the prosecution and defense.

Prosecution:
-So far, all the investigators have said there was no forced entry at the house. (It appears a stranger didn't break in)
-Rachel Entwistle's step-father detailing a phone call Neil made to him after the murders where Neil allegedly said, "I don't know how things got like this."
-Neil buying a last minute ticket home to England a day after the murders.
-Neil appearing to show no emotion except when the crime scene video was played.
-All of the investigators so far appear straight out of central casting - very believable and in some cases likeable.
-If Neil was so distraught, why did he spend so much time visiting ATMs and cleaning out his account?
-An eBay fraud investigator detailing Neil's shady online business practices.

Defense:
-Witnesses saying Neil appeared to be a loving father who had a loving relationship with his wife.
-No blood or gunshot residue in the BMW Neil took to the airport following the murders.
-No fingerprints on the suspected murder weapon.
-The suspected murder weapon was owned by Rachel's stepfather and SO FAR nobody has testified that they saw Neil returning it to Rachel's step dad's home where it was recovered.
-No confessions/eyewitnesses to the crime.

I am sure a lot of you have been following along as well. So what else belongs on the list?
 
Ted

No, it wasn't a Perry Mason moment, but today, for the first time, we saw the .22 caliber Colt revolver Neil Entwistle allegedly used to shoot his wife and daughter at point blank range.

It appears -- based on the testimony today -- Rachel Entwistle may have been shot more than once. I had never heard that before.

Unfortunately, for the prosecution, the gun had no discernible fingerprints on it. There is a good reason for that. Remember, Neil Entwistle is accused of secretly taking it from his father-in-law's Carver home and then returning it after the crime.

It turns out Neil's father-in-law and other family members used the gun the next day at a rifle club they often shoot at in Pembroke.

And not only was the gun fired the next day, it was cleaned by Rachel's brother.

As for today's testimony, we are now into the portion the judge warned the jury about -- graphic details of what the bodies looked like when they were found. Rachel's arms were around baby Lillian and the infant had what "appeared to be bruising" around her eyes. A pillow was over the baby's face. Both were wearing pajamas and the bathtub was full.

Half day today - court let out at one.

If there are no fingerprints on the gun, what about DNA?

I guess we will find out in the days to come.

Here is what I am still waiting for...What caused a "reserved" British man described by everyone SO FAR as a loving husband and father to snap? I know the consensus out there is he's guilty (at least that's the feeling I get from most of our posters) but one thing that has given me pause is that so far we have not heard about about Neil's secret "dark side".
No reported history of domestic abuse and no family members (including Rachel's) have told us about arguments/issues.

Rachel's stepfather who testified yesterday should know. The family lived at his home until they rented their own.

This morning The Hopkinton "Welcome Lady" described Neil as a loving and "doting" father - she gushed about how happy the family appeared when she visited with them, and all of Rachel's friends appeared to like Neil.

Like it or not, so far all the testimony about how the family appeared is no doubt helping the defense.

I am aware of Neil's alleged shady business practices and online escapades but we still haven't heard how that coincides with why he would want to shoot his wife and daughter.
It's interesting how things play out in court and in our judicial system. What may seem like a "slam dunk" from the outside may not always be that way when the case is presented in court. Granted we still have a lot to go.

Two more things:

I can't say Neil Entwistle is helping himself. If he's not phased by all of this he should at least try to look a little more like he's at a murder trial... not having a spot of tea with friends.

Also no more truck food - I am bringing my lunch now.

The people who have been picked to sit on the Entwistle Jury all have one thing in common: a willingness to give up their time.

Yes, jury duty is not a choice but a requirement by law. However, every potential juror was asked if it would be a substantial hardship for them.

And that question is subjective.

The judge excused dozens of people who said they just didn't think it would be possible to take the three-plus weeks needed to sit on this case. And some had big things going on like weddings and cancer treatments.  Some of the reasons appeared more compelling than others but in an effort not to burden anyone or the process the judge let them go.

Including a college student who had a rowing meet coming up. He told the judge, "everyone is going to be there".

Or the guy who said he didn't think it would work because he paid $928 for a trip to Washington D.C. He even brought a letter.

I am not sure if any of those sacrifices are any bigger than the ones many of seated jurors are going to have to make. Maybe they think it will be interesting.

Or maybe just the feel it's their duty.

"Fry him and send him away." That's what one prospective juror told the judge she heard other prospective jurors saying in line while checking in on Monday.

As soon as those words came out of her mouth, Entwistle's lead lawyer made another motion to have the case thrown out. He has continually argued that the jury pool is tainted, and for him, this was just another example of it.

Here's the thing. Unless this trial takes place in Siberia, you're not going to be able to find a jury pool that hasn't at least heard of this case. The judge is moving forward.

I have seen at least a dozen more people excused today. Several because they say they have already formed an opinion, two who said they don't trust the system, and a few more who say they just couldn't free themselves up for three weeks because of kids, jobs, health issues.

Entwistle still appears unfazed like he's at a board meeting.

Our colleagues in the British press have been enjoyable to work with.
I think some of the reporters from Entwistle's hometown paper may find the Boston media to be a little aggressive. Very fair assessment.

Lunch comes by truck (at least for me). My photographer Jen jokingly calls it the "roach coach" The food is actually pretty good.

More to come. Thanks to Chip, Fenwaydav and others who are chiming in!