Judge Paul Sommer

As you look at it right now, it's going clockwise. Yes, Your Honor.

As you look at it right now, it's going clockwise. Yes, Your Honor.

This is a decision never to be taken lightly and I assure you that this court takes this responsibility very seriously. As a senior judge, most every case that I try is somewhat controversial. Now, in this case, it's kind of simple. If it was a homicide, did the evidence show that Raynella Leath committed the homicide? Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

This is a decision never to be taken lightly and I assure you that this court takes this responsibility very seriously. As a senior judge, most every case that I try is somewhat controversial. Now, in this case, it's kind of simple. If it was a homicide, did the evidence show that Raynella Leath committed the homicide? Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

I personally have studied every shred of evidence or testimony just like you have.

I personally have studied every shred of evidence or testimony just like you have.

Let the record reflect that all parties are present in the courtroom, including the defendant.

Let the record reflect that all parties are present in the courtroom, including the defendant.

In short, the state has failed to meet their burden. The defendant's motion for judgment of acquittal is granted. The defendant, Raynella Leath, is not guilty. The case against Raynella Leath is dismissed.

In short, the state has failed to meet their burden. The defendant's motion for judgment of acquittal is granted. The defendant, Raynella Leath, is not guilty. The case against Raynella Leath is dismissed.

Strictly based on the evidence that I heard on both sides, but particularly on the state side, if I'd have been the district attorney general, I would not have brought the case to trial.

Strictly based on the evidence that I heard on both sides, but particularly on the state side, if I'd have been the district attorney general, I would not have brought the case to trial.

Yes.

Yes.

I did. When I realized the evidence was legally insufficient, I decided to end this case by doing my job and granting the motion for judgment of acquittal.

I did. When I realized the evidence was legally insufficient, I decided to end this case by doing my job and granting the motion for judgment of acquittal.

There was no gunshot residue found on her clothes or around her. She had an alibi that the state could not prove the time of death. The evidence was clearly insufficient to show that she was the perpetrator of the crime. And finally, there was no evidence to show that she was even the last person ever to see David Leith alive.

There was no gunshot residue found on her clothes or around her. She had an alibi that the state could not prove the time of death. The evidence was clearly insufficient to show that she was the perpetrator of the crime. And finally, there was no evidence to show that she was even the last person ever to see David Leith alive.

I was simply doing my job, not trying to pass the buck to the jury.

I was simply doing my job, not trying to pass the buck to the jury.

You know, there's a difference between being not guilty and being innocent. If the state does not prove its case, they are found not guilty. It doesn't say that they're innocent.

You know, there's a difference between being not guilty and being innocent. If the state does not prove its case, they are found not guilty. It doesn't say that they're innocent.

There are two entities of which I'm aware that know the answer to that question. One is the good Lord above, and the other one is the defendant, Raynella Leith.

There are two entities of which I'm aware that know the answer to that question. One is the good Lord above, and the other one is the defendant, Raynella Leith.

God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let the record reflect that all the jurors are in the box and all parties are present.

Let the record reflect that all the jurors are in the box and all parties are present.

As you look at it right now, it's going clockwise. Yes, Your Honor.

As you look at it right now, it's going clockwise. Yes, Your Honor.

This is a decision never to be taken lightly, and I assure you that this court takes this responsibility very seriously. As a senior judge, most every case that I try is somewhat controversial. Now, in this case, it's kind of simple. If it was a homicide, did the evidence show that Raynella Leith committed the homicide? Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

This is a decision never to be taken lightly, and I assure you that this court takes this responsibility very seriously. As a senior judge, most every case that I try is somewhat controversial. Now, in this case, it's kind of simple. If it was a homicide, did the evidence show that Raynella Leith committed the homicide? Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Let the record reflect that all parties are present in the courtroom, including the defendant.

Let the record reflect that all parties are present in the courtroom, including the defendant.

In short, the state has failed to meet their burden. The defendant's motion for judgment of acquittal is granted. The defendant, Raynella Leath, is not guilty. The case against Raynella Leath is dismissed.

In short, the state has failed to meet their burden. The defendant's motion for judgment of acquittal is granted. The defendant, Raynella Leath, is not guilty. The case against Raynella Leath is dismissed.

I personally have studied every shred of evidence or testimony just like you have.

I personally have studied every shred of evidence or testimony just like you have.

Strictly based on the evidence that I heard on both sides, but particularly on the state side, if I'd have been the district attorney general, I would not have brought the case to trial.

Strictly based on the evidence that I heard on both sides, but particularly on the state side, if I'd have been the district attorney general, I would not have brought the case to trial.

Yes.

Yes.

I did. When I realized the evidence was legally insufficient, I decided to end this case by doing my job and granting the motion for judgment of acquittal.

I did. When I realized the evidence was legally insufficient, I decided to end this case by doing my job and granting the motion for judgment of acquittal.

There was no gunshot residue found on her clothes or around her. She had an alibi that the state could not prove the time of death. The evidence was clearly insufficient to show that she was the perpetrator of the crime. And finally, there was no evidence to show that she was even the last person ever to see David Leith alive.

There was no gunshot residue found on her clothes or around her. She had an alibi that the state could not prove the time of death. The evidence was clearly insufficient to show that she was the perpetrator of the crime. And finally, there was no evidence to show that she was even the last person ever to see David Leith alive.

I was simply doing my job, not trying to pass the buck to the jury.

I was simply doing my job, not trying to pass the buck to the jury.

You know, there's a difference between being not guilty and being innocent. If the state does not prove its case, they are found not guilty. It doesn't say that they're innocent.

You know, there's a difference between being not guilty and being innocent. If the state does not prove its case, they are found not guilty. It doesn't say that they're innocent.

There are two entities of which I'm aware that know the answer to that question. One is the good Lord above, and the other one is the defendant, Raynella Leith.

There are two entities of which I'm aware that know the answer to that question. One is the good Lord above, and the other one is the defendant, Raynella Leith.

Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let the record reflect that all the jurors are in the box. And all parties are present.

Let the record reflect that all the jurors are in the box. And all parties are present.

As you look at it right now, it's going clockwise. Yes, Your Honor.

This is a decision never to be taken lightly, and I assure you that this court takes this responsibility very seriously. As a senior judge, most every case that I try is somewhat controversial. Now, in this case, it's kind of simple. If it was a homicide, did the evidence show that Raynella Leith committed the homicide? Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

Let the record reflect that all parties are present in the courtroom, including the defendant.

In short, the state has failed to meet their burden. The defendant's motion for judgment of acquittal is granted. The defendant, Raynella Leath, is not guilty. The case against Raynella Leath is dismissed.

I personally have studied every shred of evidence or testimony just like you have.

Strictly based on the evidence that I heard on both sides, but particularly on the state side, if I'd have been the district attorney general, I would not have brought the case to trial.

Yes.

I did. When I realized the evidence was legally insufficient, I decided to end this case by doing my job and granting the motion for judgment of acquittal.

There was no gunshot residue found on her clothes or around her. She had an alibi that the state could not prove the time of death. The evidence was clearly insufficient to show that she was the perpetrator of the crime. And finally, there was no evidence to show that she was even the last person ever to see David Leith alive.

I was simply doing my job, not trying to pass the buck to the jury.

You know, there's a difference between being not guilty and being innocent. If the state does not prove its case, they are found not guilty. It doesn't say that they're innocent.

There are two entities of which I'm aware that know the answer to that question. One is the good Lord above, and the other one is the defendant, Raynella Leith.

Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Let the record reflect that all the jurors are in the box. And all parties are present.