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February 1, 2008
Posted: 10:06 AM ET

ELKHORN, Wisconsin – Detective Paul Ratzberg continues on the stand and, despite objections by the defense, the prosecution showed the jury pages from Julie Jensen’s 1998 day planner.

It was obvious that calendar book was something she relied on. So many entries in late fall 1998 had exclamation points.

ALT TEXT

Jean Casarez is covering the Mark Jensen murder trial.

Consider the entries around the time of Julie Jensen’s death in early December. November 26: “Angie’s Birthday!” November 29: “Packers!” She also had written down upcoming Christmas television shows on the planner. For instance, December 1: “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” CBS 7 pm.”

Prosecutor Robert Jambois concluded by saying, “That shows she had plans, doesn’t it?”  The defense objected. The judge agreed and said that final conclusion was not warranted by the prosecutor and should be left for his closing argument.

Mr Jambois, of course, was trying to impart the message that Julie Jensen did not have the mind-set to commit suicide. The defense, which maintains that she killed herself and framed her cheating husband, Mark, did not believe the day planner should come in as evidence because they cannot cross-examine Julie Jensen on her entries.

Every defendant under the 6th amendment of the U.S. Constitution is entitled to confront witnesses who testify against them. So look forward to Craig Albee confronting Detective Paul Ratzberg about all of this.

The defense case should begin next week.

Jean Casarez, In Session correspondent

Filed under: Jean Casarez • Trials


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FRED   February 1st, 2008 10:29 am ET

Need more daily updates for those who cannot use video or speakers. Also, too many commericals and not enough trial coverage. I was off last week and watched this trial. The format that was previous was so much better than what it is today. I taped the trial Monday from 9 Am until 3 pm and I will bet you that there was not an hour of testominy that I saw. Change back to the way is use to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks
Fred Lieb

Rae   February 1st, 2008 11:46 am ET

At any time during the interview by the lead detective did Mark Jensen ever ask for an attorney?

Pat   February 1st, 2008 12:03 pm ET

Who has testified that Julie knew Mark was cheating
As present wife seem to assume that she did not
pf

Paco   February 1st, 2008 12:14 pm ET

“The defense case should begin next week.”

Finally, we get to the truth!

Dodie   February 1st, 2008 12:24 pm ET

This is such an open and shut case! Come on already, with the suicide. When a woman says she would never kill herself because of her children she is totally telling the truth, I know, I’ve said it myself !

Pat   February 1st, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Rae
The audio wasn’t great but I did not hear him ask for
an attorney. Also the Defense attorney didn’t ask the detective why they didn’t stop the interrogation.when he asked for an attorney. From the Attorney/judge discussion, outside the jury presence, yesterday afternoon He not only didn’t ask for attorney
but was scheduled to come back the next day for
the Lie detector test, that he’s said he’d volunteerly
take. An attorney called the next morning to say, he
would not be continuing the interrogation
As they say on Law 8 Order - he lawered-up.

Nancy   February 1st, 2008 1:34 pm ET

I would like to know Mark’s reason for not calling an ambulance on the day Julie died. He keeps on saying how sick she was, could barely breath and couldn’t get out of bed. The only reason someone would not call for help would be because they didn’t want that person to live Does anyone know if he was asked this question and what his response was?

LeeAnn   February 1st, 2008 1:40 pm ET

There are plenty of mothers who kill themselves. I have a friend who lives for her son and swore she would never hurt herself from symptoms of her chronic depression who attempted it. So to say that suicide is implausible because she had kids is wrong.

DF   February 1st, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Watch the interview showing with the sound off. It takes on a whole new meaning.

I often do this and you can see Jensen’s attempt at acting. His reactions are exaggerated . Watch his demeanor in court. The exageration is not his normal way of reacting to situations.
But my concern is behavior,demeanor etc are not proof in court.
Prosecution needs to hit on the evidence. This guy needs to go away.
If I see him wink at the camera one more time I am going to need a new TV.

Penny   February 1st, 2008 2:28 pm ET

I have to fish around the whole site to find out about the trial. The old format and channel had it all over this one. I’m very disappointed!!! Previously if the trial was in recess or taking a break it always told you what time it was going to start again
I hope you take these things into consideration. Make the necessary changes so we will keep coming back. Thank you.

Patricia   February 1st, 2008 2:53 pm ET

I thought part of an attorney’s job was to win over the Jury. The defense attorney in my opinion seems to be very demeaning to all the witnesses. I know its his job to give his client the best defense, but I can’t see this style of defense would warm the jury to his clients side.
You as an attorney should always try to win the jury. He seems to be a very good lawyer, but not a very good people person.

bob l   February 1st, 2008 6:39 pm ET

THIS GUY IS GETTING RAIL ROADED BECAUSE OF AN EGOTISTICAL DA.

Walter   February 3rd, 2008 6:29 am ET

Fred has it right. All we see is lawyers telling us how wonderful and smart they and their friends are and how the public doesn’t understand the law. Please let us see more trial and less lawyers.
Walt

DinoLives   February 3rd, 2008 10:04 am ET

this trial most likely end with a hung jury. jmo

Sheryl Baxter   February 4th, 2008 10:59 am ET

Regarding the juror and his sister who wrote blogs on the internet:

It is my undertanding that jurors are told not to discuss anything about the case including identifying what case you are a juror for.

My husband was once a juror on a trial that lasted 3 months. During that whole time he came home every night but told me he could not disclose what case he was a juror for. If he had, I could have looked it up in the newspapaer and commented on what the news was reporting about the case. I thought this was just part of the normal legal process and warinings to jurors.

So how is it that the sister knows what case and trial the juror is on? I would like to know the answer to this!

Sheryl Baxter
Carrollton, Texas

Pat   February 4th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

Early in the day it was 100% YES,
from the reaction this was a first
then we had 156 - that must have thought
all the “winks” were for them….

Yes 89% 1269
No 11% 156
Total Votes: 1425

Carol   February 5th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

There is no way in this world that Julie Jensen would have given up one last Christmas with her children by committing suicide on December 3rd. Julie Jensen adored her children. Mark Jensen is a guilty slime ball, they need to lock him up and throw away the key.

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Sidebar takes you behind the scenes of the day's legal headlines with breaking news and in-depth analysis from In Session's anchors and correspondents.

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Ashleigh Banfield
Co-anchor of the daily trial program Banfield and Ford: Courtside
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A former prosecutor and co-anchor of the daily trial program Banfield & Ford: Courtside
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Anchor of the daily trial program Lisa Bloom: Open Court
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Jami Floyd
Former defense attorney and anchor of her own daily program Jami Floyd: Best Defense
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Senior Editor Fred Graham covers legal news in Washington, D.C.
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Jean Casarez
Attorney Jean Casarez covers trials around the country
Jean Casarez
Beth Karas
Former prosecutor Beth Karas covers trials around the country
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