DADvocate

In 2007, Cheryl McCafferty shot her sleeping husband in the head, killing him instantly. Now, on trial for murder, McCafferty is claiming she was abused despite no evidence of abuse. The prosecution says money was the motive.

The prosecution painted a picture of money issues it says led to McCafferty killing her husband in 2007.

Cheryl McCafferty had racked up $80,000 in credit card debt, was forging her husband’s name on checks for up to $2,000 at a time and was regularly arguing with him, said Assistant Campbell Commonwealth’s Attorney Vanita Fleckinger.

“One shot to the head,” said Fleckinger. “A shot to kill.”

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Cheryl McCafferty’s lawyers have indicated their client may testify on her own behalf. Defense lawyers have asked Ward to allow Cheryl McCafferty to speak about alleged acts of abuse.

Commonwealth Attorney Michelle Snodgrass has indicated that she wants to call the McCaffertys’ teenage children – Patrick and Molly – to testify. They were 12 and 15, respectively, at the time of the killing.

I'm particularly interested in how the children will testify. Cheryl McCafferty has had well over a year to brainwash the kids into saying anything she wants. She could easily frighten them with stories of them growing up as parentless orphans as well as distort past events in their minds to support her claims. Meanwhile, Bob McCafferty lies dead in his grave with a bullet hole in his head.

Live blogging created an interesting side note to this trial.

[Judge Julie] Ward had initially rejected a request by the media to allow blogging inside the courtroom. The attorneys filed an appeal of that decision, and Ward responded by ordering all television cameras turned off inside the courtroom and that the camera equipment be removed. She later stayed the order to remove the equipment, saying she would rule on the matter Tuesday morning.

Crews spent three days setting up equipment inside the designated media room and would likely take more than one day to clear it, if it needs to be removed at all.

Reporters had been allowed inside the courtroom Monday morning, but all laptop computers and recording devices were ordered turned off. Photographers were also barred from taking pictures inside the courtroom.

Apparently, this was all a result of bloggers live blogging in the courtroom which the judge does not like. I would like to see bloggers given the same credence as other journalists. Hopefully, they will be in this case.