“You planned this, Sir. A very brutal murder. Any murder is brutal. But this case was very brutal and shown by the autopsy and photographs. This killing was full of rage and hatred and very personal. It takes lots of personal animosity and rage to kill as you did. While dying at your feet, you stabbed her and added to her pain."
“Photos of the wounds showed you live out your fantasies, like one of your idols Jack the Ripper. You carved a symbol into her back, proud of your work."
“I understand how two jurors ask that I show you mercy. It is hard for jurors and the audience to reconcile your appearance and demeanor in court with killing. You went to some of the best schools in an affluent community in Lafayette. Although you were teased, you had friends and we heard you were intelligent, artistic and kind. Letters to the court state you had intelligence and maturity. I can understand why people struggle to understand what it is that caused you to do this. I understand the focus on your age and immaturity. They look for justifications—to blame others, your father, your life style."
“Sir, I understand the need to find justification for what you did."
“People don’t want to understand and accept that people who look like you, the man living next door, can be so evil."
“Why in this day and age does our society produce someone like you?"
“You inflicted terrible pain on this family and on Pamela Vitale. You destroyed this family."
“I was appalled your former stepmother (who has lot of animosity toward her ex-husband) who equated her position with that of the Vitales and Daniel Horowitz -- that she has forgiven you. She is not in the same position as Daniel Horowitz or the Vitales (to grant forgiveness). Shame on her!"
“Yes, we are products of our environment. We have free will. We make choices. You made the choice to murder Pamela Vitale."
“There is a concern of this court – I don’t think any attorney or jurors saw it. You had a lack of affect during the course of the trial. The only time you had any emotion was only when the autopsy photographs were shown and Dr. Peterson described the injuries to Pamela Vitale. You leaned forward and your mouth fell open while the photographs were on the wall. Absolutely fascinated by your handiwork."
"Sir, you do not deserve to live among decent people. Your commitment is going to be for life.”
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