Grant Amato Trial Defense Opening Statement

Grant Amato, 29, stands trial in Seminole County, Florida. He killed his mother Margaret Amato, 61, father Chad Amato, 59, and his brother Cody Amato, 31, after they confronted him for stealing about $200,000 to fund an obsession over a Bulgarian call girl. Charges are three counts of first-degree premeditated murder. If convicted, he faces the death penalty.
The three victims were found dead at home last January 25, according to records obtained by Law&Crime. They’d been having problems with the defendant, investigators said. He previously stole about $50,000 from his brother Cody, and $150,000 from their father. Things became so bad that their dad laid down an ultimatum, authorities said: take a 60-day Internet and sex addiction rehab program, or leave home. He only took just shy of two weeks, but was allowed to stay at the residence anyway. He had to follow certain rules-he had to stop communicating with the call girl, authorities said.
Thing allegedly came to a head when the father kicked Grant Amato out of the residence after learning he was stilling keeping in touch with the call girl.
The defendant did not admit to the crime when speaking to authorities.
Towards the end of the interview, while viewing crime scene photos of his dead family members, GRANT AMATO was asked if he had any remorse for the killings of his mother, father and brother. GRANT AMATO’s response was his family had been blaming him for months for ruining their lives, stealing and not following the rules of the home, so he might as well be blamed for this too.
Note: This article has been updated to reflect that the trial began.
#GrantAmatoTrial

[@jennwill80]

Wow, every single point the defense makes is struck down by the prosecution. I can't believe Grant thought anyone would think him innocent.

[@srldwg]

Not even the defense thought that he was innocent. They just got hired to represent him since he had a right to be defended. Their main goal was to have to sentence not include the death penalty.

[@katherine3719]

HONESTLY! Or if you've ever seen the Dalia Dippolito defense .. OH MY GOD. Absolutely laughable. It's insane that she got as far as she did with that trial.

[@kseniyazarubina5484]

@@srldwg Guilty plea deal would have been enough in this case.

[@nonmihiseddeo4181]

@@katherine3719 She got house arrest, during which time she got pregnant and had a baby, got collagen lip injections, I mean, for fucksake!!

[@youtube-kit9450]

@@srldwg Honestly, the reason I never could be a defense attorney is because I'd have to represent people like this guy and lie through my teeth and make a mockery of me and the justice system.

[@jennifermillsrhit6607]

2 things I've already concluded from opening statements: 1) Amato is a monster 2) I should have been a cam model

[@citrusbloom7504]

🤣

[@MadebyaBEAutifulqueenBea]

Ha, I thought he said, 'hand' model. Lol 🤦‍♀️ I was like, 'what kind of hands did she have?'

[@kkheflin3]

Priceless comment!

[@hS-nt6pr]

It’s not too late ! Lol I was thinking the same thing

[@3vimages471]

Ha ha ha ha ..... and if you move to Bulgaria too you can buy a house for a $600 4 hour cam session.

[@BizarreBazaarBW]

Grant finally gets himself in front of a super hot chick but unfortunately she's the judge in his murder trial.

[@nickyblue4866]

I here he's trying to make contact with the judge from prison via his 2.50$ (that he made as the prison bicycle) that he put on the prison phone.

[@JojoplusBo]

@@nickyblue4866 ... my laugh for the day!😂

[@katherine3719]

LMAOOO RIGHT finally got in front of a girl who would listen to him and she sentenced him smh

[@panderjitsinghvv8199]

She’s typing like mad all throughout the trial... making more from her online work than the judge gig perhaps. Around 23:05 you can plainly see she is very distracted and she’s clearly disoriented when the defense concludes. The video cuts away as she peers around the room apparently completely out of touch with the goings on in the court.

[@gholder2674]

Super hot?

[@oswaldomayberry9260]

All these people saying “horrible job by the defense”, what would you have argued? They were given very little to work with. His lawyers did a good job with what little they had.

[@MeloBurgers]

very thoughtful comment. not many people think this way… props to u ✊ like what was he supposed to do? start reciting the pledge of allegiance? 😂 he took what he had and worked with it 🤷‍♀️ he was well spoken and remained professional… alternatively, would we rather have had the defense attorney be charismatic enough to manipulate the jury into thinking that this p.o.s. monster was innocent?!

[@pooperscooperltm6312]

@@MeloBurgers exactly, Grant deserved the death penalty, but he also deserved the right to effective counseling. His lawyers swayed the jury from the death penalty, and now Grant gets to Rot until he passes away in prison. It's more of a kindness than he deserves, more than he ever gave the people that actually loved him, but it's also the foundation of any worth while justice system

[@kyleanderson2949]

@@pooperscooperltm6312 long as that loser is never allowed in the same room as a computer, the punishment should be ok for now.

[@shanks4391]

I listened to the evidence by the prosecution and it all seems circumstantial.

[@andrewbell7579]

​@@kyleanderson2949sorry to tell you this, but he has one in prison, and get this... he is contacting her again. Unbelievable isn't it.

[@stephaniejacobs1267]

Dang, that judge really DOES look like Sandra Bullock, like a twin!

[@shogunatepena5302]

Bullock is hot, judge is not. Court is adjourned.

[@meeesy]

@@shogunatepena5302 You won the internet with that one. LOL

[@johncieclark3897]

An ugly Sandra bullock lol

[@Lightwarrior22]

The judge face is ugly asf

[@lnteIIigence]

She's like if I tried to draw Sandra Bullock. I'm not very good at drawing...

[@timnotaro3376]

Who wants to start a gofundme to get Judge Sandra Bullock one of those quiet type keyboards?

[@MeloBurgers]

lmaooo i noticed this in the first video. i was like… wtf is that?

[@jodiraepple6886]

“large amount of drugs” and then he only mentions weed being found...

[@notsamhoward]

@Live Free and if weed is a drug so is alcohol, a worse one in fact

[@pooperscooperltm6312]

@@notsamhoward Exactly. If weed was as bad as people make it out to be, the CIA in the 70's and 80's would've been distributing joints in poor urban areas instead of crack

[@mdcs1992]

The evidence will show that this defense lawyer is now working at a McDonald's situated close to the courthouse.

[@Kimbyrleigha]

Lol

[@marycanfield8654]

I like the defense attorney! He's ok!

[@katherine3719]

@@Kimbyrleigha tehehe i found u on a court trial case!!

[@reader1236]

Defense attorney: "Grant had the support of his family and had no motive to kill them." Defense attorney 1 minute later: "His father grabbed Grant by his jacket and told him he had to get out of the house".

[@Joseph-fw6xx]

Yes I got that to

[@Anna_Stetik]

Right. When I see a news van near my house, and have a 'bad feeling', I run away instead of trying to make sure anyone I know is okay. I can't believe the defense thought anyone would buy that.

[@TheeSnitch]

exactly , if you come across emergency vehicles in your neighborhood, the only natural reaction would be to check on your family and neighbors, IMMEDIATELY. The defense makes absolutely zero sense. the defense tries to say gunshots were heard "in the morning", when the ear witnesses clearly said it was " in wee hours of the morning", LIKE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 3 AM....HUGE DIFFERENCE. i really hate defense attys that blatantly lie, but honestly, if i ever needed a defense atty id probably want a great liar. the other thing is the defense blames EVERYONE except grant for EVERYTHING possible. its horrible how grant and his attys try to make chad out to be a tyrant, when its clear that grant was a spoiled brat, + that grant also was a terrible coworker at his previous job, lying about doing his duties for patient care + relieving coworkers during surgeries. grant never cared for anyone but himself and getting his "sylvie" fix. typical junkie, that only cries for himself. our prayers are with jason, christina, and their daughters, the loss of a loving family is overwhelming.

[@leapinglaura7343]

Sure they would! Wendi Adelson did the same thing!

[@steelem422]

I like when people try even though they all know he is guilty it shows character and responsibility good man that young defence lawyer

[@redbarron96]

He never asked why he was there, and he never went back to the house. Who wouldn't want to know what was happening on your street that requires a news van? And we're supposed to believe his dad and brother gave him their credit cards? After being so mad about him spending all of their money

[@keithh3725]

Silvia was getting PAID!

[@shogunatepena5302]

I am her new online chump, I mean client, now. Just sold my PlayStation for some more coins and she worth every penny.

[@othertalk3313]

@@shogunatepena5302 That was 7 months ago. I assume that by now you're living under a bridge somewhere. But dem tiddies though...

[@geoffpoole483]

I get the impression the defence attorney is going through the motions. Very poor delivery. Does his mother know he's doing this? He doesn't look old enough.

[@SB-ul1py]

Geoff Poole hmmmm, interesting. I think he’s pretty articulate, prepared and sharp. I felt the state defense was weak. The guy seemed lost. Not commenting on defendant, just lawyers. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.

[@LisatheGreatest]

Geoff Poole he’s really shitty at his job

[@LisatheGreatest]

I also have to say that the defendant is extra slimy and thief even if his friends. Horrible

[@candulagirl7817]

The defense attorney did a rather poor job of representing his client. Lackluster approach, lacks assertiveness, etc.

[@MrKoirakanava]

😂😂😂

[@Mikados_Advark12]

His use of the pen is extremely effective - best pen work I have seen

[@gusten6875]

'He sold ALL his guns, so therefore he couldn't have killed them.' Case closed.

[@2high2die]

Sounds good to me. I’m m gonna watch The Simpsons.

[@MeloBurgers]

@@2high2die 🤣🤣🤣

[@leapinglaura7343]

I mean why are they even trying him??

[@sxafedele914]

I like how he just leaves out 95% of the evidence-

[@ErikS-]

why on earth is this judge constanly typing?! Is she also the court reporter or what?

[@toasted_.coconut]

Judges will take notes during trial.

[@GrizzlyUrsusArctos]

Erik S maybe she has a bad memory

[@lcavelier]

low budget justice lol

[@geoffpoole483]

Perhaps she's emailing her friends telling them she's been lumbered with the most boring attorneys on the planet.

[@ashleyvestal9030]

Facebook? lol

[@stephaniejacobs1267]

Does it make sense to anyone that Dad and Cody BOTH "GAVE" their credit/debit cards for him to use when the whole reason he's being kicked out is because of his ridiculous spending issues (over $200K on an online call girl, trip to Japan, gaming computer systems, VR system, shall I continue...?) ,all while being unemployed!!!? Their defense is absurd. Just because he sold a total of 7 or 8 guns doesn't automatically mean he didn't still have one! Crazy!

[@candulagirl7817]

It's called "grasping at straws."

[@rachiegoodman]

@@candulagirl7817 lol truuuuue

[@citrusbloom7504]

He sold all of them 'but' the one he used to kill his family.

[@laradesautel3013]

@@citrusbloom7504 if this is the right case, I watch too many, a friend of his and his brother testifies that after grant visited a short ish time prior to the murders, a gun he kept stored around the areas grant had been alone, was found missing and never found.

[@MeloBurgers]

@@candulagirl7817 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@1justpara]

The defence lawyer is a baby. This must be his first trial because he sure shows his lack of public speaking. He RUSHED through everything in his notes (even almost choking himself at the end) and I'm sure his relief at the end was welcome. The MOST ANNOYING thing though was his lack of being able to write notes that are not 'repetitive'. In the space of 22.5 minutes he used the term "The evidence will show" SEVENTY TWO times. That's once every 19 seconds. Highly irritating to a juror, and very irritating to concentration. Bad job.

[@othertalk3313]

You can tell this is something he has been taught to emphasize to the jury, but he's not confident enough to persuade the jury in to actually believing it. The prosecutor handled it much better, because he was referencing real people who would be showing up as witnesses. "Mr. X is a such-and-such and he will testify that ..." is much more persuasive than the repetitious and vague "the evidence will show."

[@citrusbloom7504]

Everyone has to start somewhere 🤷‍♀️

[@randyfritz2094]

Defense lawyer did a SHITTY job.

[@randyfritz2094]

The defence attorney is just creating hearsay, without and evidence to opening statement......

[@WeLoveRey]

i was thinking the same! i was like "if i were a member of that jury, i would have tuned him out after the fifth 'the evidence will show' because wtf." the supervising attorney obviously didn't take time to rehearse this statement with him which sucks.

[@TheDebbyrose]

Lol, had to slow down speed, Mickey Mouse was defending for a moment there😂

[@harletterider9658]

haha u forget too..

[@SH-sr5ol]

What the hell is this judge typing. Is SHE a webcam model? Maybe she’s talking to her followers. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@glyndamcdonald5608]

She's probably doing her homework from Law School. It's due in the morning......

[@ellieh27]

Plot twist: SHE is “Sylvie”

[@lnteIIigence]

Oh my god you're so funny and handsome, I want to marry you. _Give me your credit card details_ You're my dream husband!

[@hS-nt6pr]

@@ellieh27 lolll

[@keithh3725]

the evidence will show....

[@DiamondDarkSky]

Does anyone else think this defense lawyers hand movements are annoying, or is it just me? Lol

[@mixedupmargie]

The evidence will show, the evidence will show X 2000

[@MrRonaldPayne]

Hey it’s a hard job and he did way better than I would ever do.

[@youtube-kit9450]

Literally why I couldn't be a defense attorney. I'd have to represent scum like this and lie through my teeth and make a mockery out of myself and the justice system by having to misrepresent, lie, falsify, deceive and who knows what else and waste massive amounts of time for the jury, prosecution, judge, the poor victim's family members (ofc aside from Grant in this case) and make them relive trauma and batter witnesses. It's important that everyone gets the right to a trial, but I couldn't do this, I couldn't live with the guilt.

[@kkheflin3]

Note to self: Never hire a defense attorney who looks as if he got out of law school last week who talks with pressured speech. Good Lord.

[@rumham7466]

Someone already commented this but the judge typing is so beyond distracting. Why is she sitting there typing emails, WITH a micro phone on? It’s also taking away from the heaviness the atmosphere should be given the subject matter. The least she could have done was turn off her mic.

[@velvetsmog]

Hey everyone, do you think the evidence will show it?

[@Ashley__Rose]

Ummm excuse me?!?! What drugs??? Only drugs were by the defendant, who stole them from the hospital in which he was swiftly fired from. Nice try bro 👌🏻

[@MagesseT1]

He really liked that propofol...

[@bigwilson8794]

How can you concentrate on what is happening if you are constantly typing on a keyboard.

[@ChatMort69420]

Have you ever heard of taking notes?

[@sueannnatter5295]

Chat-Mort. Uh I think that's more notes than anyone would normally take.

[@zappababe8577]

16:35 Is it at all likely that his dad would give him his credit card, when the whole reason he's getting chucked out is because he was spending their money?

[@1up17]

The evidence will show: This is the most rambling I've ever heard in 23 minutes.

[@trevor3013]

The defense lawyers first trial ever it looks like. I'm surprised the jury could even hear him

[@peartfaldo]

would be a great politician

[@susiepittman601]

Defense attorney needs to put his hand down.

[@Obiter3]

I've seen this guy before on Nickelodeon's "My Teen Attorney"

[@MK-jt7dq]

🤣

[@panderjitsinghvv8199]

Is it a bad sign for the accused if the defense opening statement contains ten times more words than the prosecution’s?

[@sandraphillips7827]

No. Strange thought.

[@beccawilkes9633]

8:26 "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury they were growing pot! he did the world a favor they were evil pot smokers...oh but he also didn't do it"

[@gusten6875]

Imagine studying hard for 7 years to become a lawyer, and then work several more years to get experienced. And THEN you use that expertise to defend monsters like Grant Amato. With a passion. 🤮

[@99kerosene]

it's their job. stop being a snowflake

[@idklol4197]

now is it just me or does the judge kiiiiiiinda look like sandra bullock lol

[@bojohannesen4352]

Dunno, try asking one of the 600 other people who said the same.

[@roulettegenie4379]

Defense kid should talk even faster making sure the jury doesn’t catch or remember anything he’s saying, maybe he knows his client is guilty and just doing this for show.

[@bagramdave883]

The defense is proving the case. He is throwing dust into the air and hoping someone in the jury can't see something. He is proving the case is so weak that he is using things that don't prove that Grant didn't do it for example, "the evidence is such that will prove Grant Amato did respond by being sad when he learned of his family's death". He tries to make this sound like evidence, but of what"? That he faked emotion? None of the points he makes have nothing with nullifying his guilt.

[@lostinnevermore5354]

The exact translation of Amato in Italian is “beloved”.

[@lnteIIigence]

The evidence will show that the evidence has not been shown.

[@randyfritz2094]

No evidence because Grant changed clothes, put on his scrubs and got rid of the gun and clothes. Grant stole the gun from his friend while using the bathroom in his bedroom.

[@Alulim-Eridu]

Guys a real slimy scumbag

[@lindamateri9906]

OMG there was weed in the house how awful 🤣

[@player400_official]

Grant had a good lawyer it seems, byt the case was obvious anyway.

[@melvanrooyen1165]

More passion defence attorney will go a long way to communicate confidence in your client's version

[@Unconsciouzone]

Indeed his only job at that point is to put on a show for the client and send out an SoS to his colleagues and poissible future employers/clients.. *The evidence will show that i tried realy, realy, really hard...shrug*...

[@nickharris9761]

Is the Judge doing her Facebook account ?

[@johncieclark3897]

Lol was wondering the same. Didn’t realize they were on computers much

[@VileVisionshaunt]

Almost anyone would die if they took a drink every time he said “the evidence will show”. He really wanted everyone to believe that what he was talking about wasn’t evidence against his client.

[@novascotiaskater1868]

9:13 “the evidence will show that Mr Amato is not guilty.” Then babyface goes on to summarize evidence that means absolutely nothing. Just because the mom or dad sold weed doesn’t make GA innocent....how does that even make sense? Then he lists the evidence proving Amato’s innocence....# 2 no gun with which to use it ( that doesn’t make sense in any language let alone English) then immediately says #3 the nefarious amounts of drugs , guns and ammunition found in the house....thus #3 completely discounts #2.

[@TheeSnitch]

the evidence will show that the huge defense team all voted to make the newbie get up and look ridiculous to a jury. who paid for grants defense team ?

[@AirQuotes848]

Will "Cam Girl" be a witness?

[@alliep_]

I hope so.

[@RJ-hx5nb]

What is the judge typing ?

[@Mindy849]

If she's real, which I doubt

[@AirQuotes848]

@@Mindy849 Do you mean like those people who steal identities? Right, This trial is going quickly.

[@Mindy849]

@@AirQuotes848 I was just wondering if the defendant was catfished? Is Sylvia, real or was he talking to someone else who he was sending money to. Idk, just asking.

[@AMERICANPSYCHO73]

Grant Amato looks like Stephen Miller -- Trump's Chief Bigot.

[@teknitulaspacenoise]

Thaaaaat's who he reminds me of. Well done.

[@candulagirl7817]

@Jennifer Cowling He doesn't employ bigots. What country do you reside in?

[@polkadotsuzanne9306]

@@candulagirl7817 Trump 2020

[@candulagirl7817]

@@polkadotsuzanne9306 Trump indicted 2020! Trump convicted 2021!

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

They found his defence lawyer on Fiverr!

[@mikeaguero2875]

Zapata

[@47ccarte]

The defense team knew this was a 100% losing case and, much like a college team that is so far ahead in scoring they will allow fourth string to get out there and play a couple minutes, they just said “hey, I don’t think Donnie has ever done an opening statement before, should we let him do this one? It’s not like it matters, we’re definitely losing this case, I think it’ll be a good practice run for him”. And then everyone in the office turned and looked at Donnie’s blushing face as Donnie said “but that’s in 30 minutes and I haven’t done any preparation” and they said “you’ll be alright”. Sadly, they were mistaken. Donnie wasn’t “alright” and he ended up going back to work for dad’s car detailing business, but Donnie was always the type of guy to “look on the bright side”, so he never let this get him down. He reminded himself that, at Uneek D-Tail, he’s respected. Not necessarily because he’s great at what he does; he’s the owner’s son, but Donnie’s philosophy is “respect is respect, no matter how you slice it”, so he went to work with pride and within about 2 years had convinced his father to open a new location and let him run it, which his father obliged, only to be disappointed in Donnie’s performance and inevitably had to bring him back to the flagship location, but he was still able to salvage that location once he brought in new management and ultimately decided that it wasn’t all for naught, that at least now he has two locations even if Donnie isn’t running one of them.

[@m_christine1070]

🤣

[@tauresattauresa7137]

Why was Grant wearing scrubs if he was unemployed.

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

To get chicks.

[@holylandfan3275]

The evidence WILL show that the judge is driving me CRAZY from typing the ENTIRE time! If I was a juror, I’d have to excuse myself! I may not be able to handle this one for that reason.

[@rumham7466]

It is very distracting. It takes away from the seriousness of what the atmosphere should be.

[@holylandfan3275]

@@rumham7466 Agree 100%. She annoyed me so much, I couldn’t even watch a full day of it. She also seemed arrogant and wanted the attention. I had to move on. 😂 I recently stumbled upon a channel you may like. A fantastic judge. Just search Judge Burney. Sometimes the lawyers are a bit hard to hear, but at least the judge isn’t TYPING!!! Click, click, click!!! 😡😂

[@redbarron96]

He's saying no DNA was on anything like he's clothes, shoes or his family members. It's called gloves and changing clothes. Also how do we know he sold ALL of his guns?

[@Localtuff]

Was this the defense attorney’s first trial? Seems very green.

[@letolethe5878]

This defense statement is cold-blooded and heartless. Not even an attempt to show sorrow for the victims or acknowledge their loss.

[@kristamortland6125]

Sadly, that is the role they take on as a defense attorney. In my Law and Business class we had an open ended discussion about if we would take on a client we believe is guilty. Many people said yes because it is our job and right to give the said person a right to a fair trial, personally I could never. Many murder defense attorneys undergo severe stress because of this morality they have to hide for their client. Personally, I want to work for the prosecution side so I can always bring justice. Very very sad. Prayers for the family and friends through this difficult time of loss.

[@chrissie1066]

Krista Mortland Well said.Yes they are only doing their job, and am I right in saying that they are often from a bank of young defenders and the cases are allocated to them by the State Prosecutor?

[@geoffpoole483]

You've contradicted yourself. You start by saying you could "defend anybody". Then you state "I wouldn't defend a child rapist or a child pornographer". Look at it this way: if the nonce is found guilty it will go down. If the nonce is found not guilty, well, revenge is a dish best served cold.

[@sarahdrenth1540]

@Bobby Dools You seem confused Bobby. make up your mind.

[@ChatMort69420]

Everybody has a right to a legal defense. They're doing their job and defending his constitutional right.

[@Bigbirdreese1600]

Shame on the Defense attorney . He knew grant committed these horrific murders..

[@Maxine2814]

Hey that is AdySweet from myfreecams, she must have been camming on multiple sites, how sad that she took all this money from one man and now his family is dead....

[@nikunashi3494]

Sandra Bullock has a good career post movies.

[@rumham7466]

I thought Sandra Bullock as soon as I saw her !

[@vickiekasafirek9096]

Both prosecutor and defense are boring and have no passion for such a horrible case.

[@geoffpoole483]

Going through the motions. Young defence lawyer is crap.

[@jodievukmir3187]

So he wore gloves when he placed the holster in his father

[@randyfritz2094]

And the gun being "placed" backwards on the left side 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. Must have been done by the intruder or a ghost in the house.

[@katherine3719]

"NEFARIOUS COMBINATION OF DRUGS AND WEAPONS" *finds weed* *Flordia family has guns and ammo* I- they really... Ok

[@katherine3719]

if u go through any random house in america why do i feel like you would definitely either find weed or a gun. Or both

[@aaronmiller8503]

Can only afford half of the lawyer bill? Get half of an opening statement. 23 min!? Really?

[@sintiepop5289]

ThE eVIdenCe wIlL sHow

[@gailtrotman5256]

With all the damning evidence against this psychopath, how can the Defense keep a straight face in defending him? I am especially sad for Cody - a truly nice guy, son, friend, colleague and brother!

[@youtube-kit9450]

It's his job. His unthankful, likely underpaid (if he's a public attorney who had the Grant Amato case pushed onto him because of the constitutional right to a fair trial) job to represent also scum like this, with a ridiculously clear-cut case like this. For the defense attorney at this point, it's not about trying to get Amato off the hook - it's about making the prosecution prove their case (normal procedure) and probably trying to keep some of his dignity by doing a good defense so in the future, he can take on better cases. Ofc he bungled it by not being convincing in the slightest (not that you can do much in this situation).

[@God.Almighty]

defense attorneys sometimes amaze me in cases like this. everyone including the defense knows he's 100% guilty, yet they go up and argue against logic and this is totally legal and in fact expected of them. takes special skills to argue against truth so convincingly. like they use method acting to persuade themselves of their untenable position.

[@Existence_Predicate]

What are you expecting to happen? Defense is needed for courts to function

[@andrewbell7579]

It doesn't matter if they are guilty as sin or innocent, a defense lawyer must defend you to the best of his ability. Not to mention this case is televised, so he must do his best for future hires. Anyway he is allowed to make money.

[@ashleyp287]

I would've found him guilty just for those ears alone. The ears scream guilty!

[@stevencharles4074]

Horrible opening statement by the defense!!

[@glyndamcdonald5608]

Take his ink pen from him and he won't be able to talk!

[@marianfarnham2963]

He needs to come up for a breath, and slow down. The jury is probably wishing they took speed listening rather than speed reading???

[@citrusbloom7504]

Defense is going with the smoke and mirrors strategy....🤦‍♀️

[@larnold7614]

Boy she could have waited 5 whole mins.

[@davidcady7160]

So they found weed big deal who car3 if his dad smoked pot of course he did his son robbed him of 200000 thousand dollars his father needed to smoke to help him relax.

[@EarthBound_Spirit]

Please try to fix the audio! It's difficult to hear some of it as it is

[@amythus6139]

Is there anything more disgusting than being blatantly & obviously guilty of something so heinous, then trying to make everyone do mental gymnastics trying to convince the jury there is reasonable doubt so you can get away with it and never even have to admit it. At some point you just have to admit it? Leaving the surviving victims to wonder what exactly happened? It's just beyond vile.

[@benjamminonabudget85]

Judge could be a Sandra Bullock impersonator

[@lindamateri9906]

The poc had lots of time to make sure he had no blood residue on his person obviously he showered and that’s disturbing image to think about

[@unknownkingdom]

That's the same judge as the video with the pantsless defendant right?

[@amyadams2945]

I wonder if the evidence will show? 🤷

[@johnbollinger7096]

the judge looks like Sandra Bullock

[@novascotiaskater1868]

This Defense Attorney’s argument as to why Grant Amato is innocent is just pathetically weak, it almost seems like he doesn’t believe his own words.... 1. A complete lack of evidence linking GA to the deaths; his family’s dna wasn’t on any items recovered from GA including his scrubs and shoes. GA’s dna wasn’t found on his family members clothes, or the shell casings fired in the house. * This is actually proof he is guilty because it leans towards his cleaning the dna off or/ and wearing different scrubs and shoes. There SHOULD be dna from all of them all over their clothes etc because they all lived together in that house for years....it’s more suspicious that there isn’t dna on their items. 2. He had no firearms to use to kill them because he had sold them all in August/ September, and he had no access to any of the multitude of guns in the house; ha ha ok so it would have been completely impossible for Grant to have gone and bought a stolen gun, or somehow bought a new gun maybe using Cody’s ID ....and why is it so impossible that he couldn’t have accessed the gun cabinet? I’m sure there is more than one key, and this is the guy who managed to hide his porn addiction from his family for at least a year, he was able to hide his stealing up to 200 K from various family members for a significant period of time as well so I’m pretty sure he could have easily accessed the guns at some point Nd taken one of them and hidden it. 3. When police entered the house they found a nefarious amount of drugs, guns and ammo: I suppose this is meant to make the jury believe that Chad the Dad was a drug dealer and the killings were a result of being robbed by drug seekers? ** Chad the Dad was a pharmacist, medical marijuana is legal in Florida so he was probably experimenting with growing his own so he might start a Legalized Medical Marijuana business. This is a no- brainer. The Defense atty is trying to spin the Marijuana by calling it a “ Nefarious amount of drugs, guns and ammo...” making it sound like he is a Cocaine Drug Kingpin protecting his drugs with massive amounts of weapons..... 4. He states that Grant Amato was not a trained or professional shooter so he was incapable of shooting all of them the one time, with that frequency in the short amount of time.; first of all that makes no sense...I don’t think he understood what he said himself ..... **** but the fact is this family was “ into guns”...the three boys had grown up in that house collecting guns with their Dad, they would go out and shoot the guns for hours as teenagers and the whole family was interested in guns, enjoyed shooting guns etc so although Grant may not have been a “ professional shooter” I do t even know what a professional shooter is....maybe an Army sniper? But you don’t have to be a professional shooter to have committed this crime. He shot his mom while she was home alone with her back turned to him and he shot her like a coward from behind, then Chad the Dad came home shortly after the killing of Margaret and Grant again ambushed him as he walked in the door which doesn’t take professional level shooting skills, then 4-5 hours later Cody walked in the door and was shot in the face...... 5. Complete lack of motive because there was absolutely no friction between Grant and his family; um...seriously? Did this kid just join the Defense team yesterday? No friction? **** They surprised him with an intervention and put him in Rehab , they emailed the Love of his life and told her he was a complete fraud and basically made him out to be the looser he is which would have humiliated him not only to Sylvia but the group of “ friends” he had lied to, they told him he had to pay back all the money he stole, over 200K , and were cutting him off from his porn addiction and obsession ....that is more than enough motive and I’m at a complete loss as to how the Defense is even saying this in public...... All these reasons the Defense lays out as proof Grant didn’t kill his family are ridiculously weak and easily refuted.....I honestly think this young Defense Atty doesn’t believe his own words and he seems to be flying through his statement in a really fast manner because he is hoping no one will actually hear the pathetic things he is saying.......just my opinion.......

[@katherine3719]

the EVIDENCE WILL SHOW ..... sir there is no way he could sell those firearms and have enough money to spend $10,000 A N I G H T

[@katherine3719]

I've seen handguns at academy sell new for $70. I doubt he's getting any crazy money for handguns to pay for the camgirl

[@randyfritz2094]

No MOTIVE 🙈🙉🙊🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@colinjava8447]

I never knew sandra bullock was a judge.

[@plants4thewin]

I wonder what "the evidence will show"...

[@marycanfield8654]

Does the 2nd guy ever get louder?

[@roll400ex]

So what was the deal with all the marijuana? Does any one have any info on that?

[@3vimages471]

I am such a cool guy .... I only paid Sylvie $300 for a 4 hour session .... half the price Grant paid. I rock.

[@LisatheGreatest]

Really crappy defence opening statement. Terrible

[@yeetisabeeelll9459]

Guys i'm not that sure if the evidence shows it.

[@ChrissyDargue]

I think it's very progressive of the education system to allow work placement high school kids have a go at being lawyers.

[@Shaq756]

Grant reminds me of bidens corn pop story lol

[@Elaine-x5c]

I think met their burden in the opening statement

[@ChrissyDargue]

No evidence of cleanup? That's 'cos he cleaned it up...

[@sxafedele914]

The evidence will show

[@AXO-]

No emotion strategy

[@1justpara]

This woman judge makes me cringe. What a joke this trial is. Poor attorneys, poor delivery, poor sound and definitely ammateur.

[@bojohannesen4352]

Found Grant's best friend