As you might be able to guess, the Skeen family totally rejected this argument - and outside the court came just short of expressing disgust:
Jules Vasquez
"So what did you think of what you heard in there today from his attorney?"
Rene Skeen, Brother of Deceased Karen Skeen
"You know, that's a very good question. Because I don't want to be rude, but I will be blunt. The little bit of respect I had for Godfrey Smith, I lose it."
"You know why, I will tell you why? Because a few months ago, Jared pleaded guilty. And he tried the case all over again, talking about sleepwalking. Have you ever shoot a gun before? All right? A gun, the noise a gun makes. I don't care how much he sleepwalking or how much deep you're in a sleep, you will wake up. Now, you're talking about, what, maybe seven, eight, nine shots? You're talking about taking a knife and stabbing your mom more than a dozen times, and you're sleepwalking?"
"I rest my case right there about Godfrey Smith."
Jules Vasquez
"The argument today was fixed term, which would be 25 years remaining, 37 total, or life in prison. What does the family want?"
Rene Skeen, Brother of Deceased Karen Skeen
"The obvious, life in prison. That's what he deserved. I used to say I could never forgive him, but when he pleaded guilty, I said, you know what, maybe one day I will. One day I probably will forgive him. So it ease a lot to know that he pleaded guilty."
Jules Vasquez
"What do you make of Mr. Ranguy's expression in the court, or lack of expression? He's always just inexpressive."
Rene Skeen, Brother of Deceased Karen Skeen
"I don't know if you guys were in there, you were. So do that. If you want to show me that you want us to forgive you as a family, and move on with our lives. Because it's so hard to move on with our lives with what's going on. So accept the life in prison. Accept the fact that you'll be eligibility for parole after 40 years. He has no remorse. You guys see him and they're just sitting as if nothing has happened."
"And that's what bothers this family."
The sentence will be handed down on July 15th. Ranguy is 34 years old. Smith is asking for a fixed term that would see him spend 25 more years. The prosecutor Riis Cattouse is asking for life in prison- meaning, eligible for parole in 40 years.
