Groves Trial - Prosecution Rebuttal Closing Argument

A mother and father in Scioto County, Ohio stand trial in the death of their infant son. Young Dylan Groves was found dead 30 feet down a well last year, prosecutors said. Authorities blame the boy’s parents-mother Jessica Groves, and father Daniel Groves-for what happened. The defendants are charged with aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, endangering children, tampering with evidence, interference with custody, gross abuse of a corpse, and four counts of felonious assault.
Problems stemmed right from Dylan’s day of birth on January 10, 2019. The boy was born with drugs in his system, authorities claim. Daniel Groves later got the child back after showing that he followed regulations, but the defendant allegedly started missing important dates, including court dates and doctor’s appointments.
Investigators claim that both defendants bolted on a four-wheeler when authorities dropped by the home for a checkup on May 20, according to WLTW. Deputies obtained a search warrant, got Jessica Groves to give herself up quickly, but Daniel Groves was only arrested after a six-hour standoff. Authorities said they found $42,000 of stolen items at the residence, and later found the late infant in a well.
Deputies said Dylan Groves didn’t even make it to a full three months of age. They claim there’s evidence showing he’d been dead since March.
How Baby Dylan Was Found In the Well:
A coroner determined that the victim had been slain. The child sustained several bone fractures, had been wrapped in plastic bags with duct tape, then put in milk crates that were wrapped in chains, and other bindings, according to WSAZ. The crates were weighted down with rocks and a weight, authorities said. As in his birth, Groves died with drugs in his body, according to the coroner. This allegedly included methamphetamine.
#DylanGroves #GrovesTrial #JessicaAndDanielGrovesTrial

[@2ndround415]

ya'll worried about her chewing gum are worried about the wrong damn things. That prosecutor did an amazing job and she could chew a steak in court as far as I am concerned. What she did do is work tirelessly with evidence that none of us would like to see (autopsy photos etc) and worked hard to advocate for an innocent baby who was abused, murdered then wrapped up like a piece of meat and shoved down a well like he wasn't a human being, maybe focus on that and not her damn gum chewing.

[@katearnoldy1011]

100% agree with you @2nd Round 👍

[@2ndround415]

@@angrymoomin9439 agreed, I'm a bit theatrical myself lol so I get it.

[@marcyc.3311]

Sure she exploded about how the baby was treated and disposed of. It's just a motherly action and anger that a newborn was killed. The baby needs someone to speak up for him..and sounding concerned with anger has to be done to get the message across then it shall be done.

[@weeza55]

Her being over emotional made the "mother" look worse. I think Ms Hutchinson did a fine job and spoke for Baby Dylan.

[@2ndround415]

@@katearnoldy1011 Thanks Kate.

[@mauiavedana6723]

I love the balance between the two prosecutors! First prosecutor's argument called on the emotions of the jury, while the second prosecutor based his argument on cold, hard facts.

[@giyavictoria3747]

Right? Hes like "ima calm you down, but it give it to them!" Yas! I love this team!

[@sarahdrenth1540]

good rebuttal. Didn't repeat what had already been said. Summed up the really important points.

[@benitasmith2840]

I so agree! What a comparison to the defenses bungling attempts.

[@joeymarie72]

People getting upset about the prosecutor being "overly emotional". Someone had to step up for this child because everyone else ( except for the foster mother) who had the chance to while he was alive failed him. They failed him over and over again until he ended up in a dark watery hole.

[@iamHis888Heismine]

She was a mama bear for that sweet baby!

[@patsyshuster2932]

Cps failed dylan

[@gennyzelis2303]

Yes they absolutely did. It is unfathomable how they only kept him in foster care for 12 days. It's incredibly difficult to imagine that they just accepted and believed Daniel to be in control of supervising visits with Jessica and they didn't check out his employer and so many other things. Just gave dylan back to him. Terrible

[@gennyzelis2303]

Sara allison yes parents are ultimately to blame but DFCS still had a direct link and responsibility to that baby when they I retook his care in the hospital at birth and they absolutely failed him by giving him back to the father after only 2l12 days. Without even checking his employment ! I don't care hoe overworked they are. They still are to blame for it as well as the parents because the baby should not have been back with the parents in the first place

[@GlennaVan]

@Sara Allison They may be "overburdened and overwhelmed" but that is no excuse for not keeping Baby Dylan in a safe place for a longer period of time, at least until he was over his own drug withdrawal.

[@sarahwalls7621]

Genny Zelis 12 days way too soon

[@texasmamaw6555]

The parents failed Dylan

[@benitasmith2840]

If Jessica really wanted to retrieve Dylan from the well, Daniel would have tied a rope onto the crates to run up the well for retrieval at a later date. Their intention was to leave Dylan down that well forever so they would not get caught.

[@ginah8995]

I've been thinking about the gum chewing. The judge was chewing gum in an earlier video. Maybe it's to keep the mouth and throat lubricated without the need to drink too much liquid because there's long periods of time without breaks? Just a random guess. Everything else seems so formal so it does seem weird that it would be allowed

[@TinkerBell-bt6vu]

It could also be nicotine gum (you gotta watch the pattern they chew it. Nicotine gum is 2 chews in a row then a break then 2 chews etc). But I also never considered it's to prevent drinking too much. That makes a lot of sense. Personally we have been told chewing gum is rude, but why is it rude? Lol. As long as the person isn't smacking it and they chew it silently and they speak clearly I don't even see it as rude. It's weird why we have been conditioned to think that way. Guess we can blame our lame elementary and secondary teachers for that one lol. They said it was "rude" but they just said that so they didn't have to scrape gum off the desks lol

[@lgaddy]

@@TinkerBell-bt6vu you're so right! Especially about the desk thing.. You'd think it could be good use as a punishment though lol

[@jenniferlarson6426]

Gum chewing is a stress release....like smoking a cigarette or having a drink or squeezing a stress ball....it's a release and believe me, attorneys need a release after a case like this. They're traumatized too.

[@strongmomma4u]

What bothered me the whole trail is the amount of people coughing repeatedly in each of the videos over and over again. They keep coughing during important parts and kept making the lawyers repeat themselves. Yes, it's not a completely controllable body function. but my God. If I had a dollar for every time someone coughed and choked up and hacked during the whole trial I would have made about 400 dollars lol

[@strongmomma4u]

Nicotine gum could be a high possibility. I can see a few people getting aggressive or irritable if they were wanting a cigarette real bad. 2 hours of questioning between breaks sometimes. So yeah I wouldn't doubt nicotine gum. Regular gum could also help stimulate the brain and keep you awake if needed

[@benitasmith2840]

Mr.Tieman does an excellent job in this rebuttal. Short, concise, and very moving. He lines up the facts in a way that is throughly convincing.

[@sararestivo6044]

POOR LITTLE Angel, God's GIFT AND THEY DESTROYED IT !!!!!!!

[@agds91078]

Did she not ever admit to exactly what caused the injuries to the baby, all I know is JG said I don’t remember I don’t remember....only the good lord knows what happened to that sweet baby boy. Why do people have to kill babies and their own children?? Why?? Please of anyone out there watching are in a bad situation, drugs, homeless, etc..,please don’t kill your children...give them to someone!! I would love and be blessed, absolutely grateful if someone wanted me to take their baby because they couldn’t care for it or not want it.. I pray to have another child but I will never be able to have another child due to my health issues but adopting they make it so costly where it is hard for the average American family to adopt, only the rich and famous it seems can adopt any and all the children they want, no matter the age or gender they will always get what type of child they want. I may not be rich but I am rich with so much love to care for another baby and I would be plenty able to provide for one.

[@Mamayesseniaa]

I hope you are blessed with another baby one day if it is adoption ,fostering , or pregnancy 🥺❤️❤️❤️ it’s so sad that the ones who love babies the most can’t have them

[@lisakn27]

She did it bc she was strung out and couldn't take the crying of a drug dependent baby..and that witch made it dependent in the first place. Why didn't she just leave it with CPS?. I really do believe he didn't know, but he is just as much to blame bc he knew how horrible a person she is.

[@amanda4898]

Sperm donor knew, the son testified to the baby's head being bruised and swollen. He KNEW.SELFISH POS

[@deborahfox8782]

Kacey EXACTLY what I thought! 🥵

[@patriciagriswold6060]

People who won't give up their children when they should, often view their children more as their possession, and not a deserving soul that has a right for a better situation than is being provided by that parent.

[@elizabethbutler3766]

I think cps didn’t have the money to support foster care so they gave the child back. I also think that’s why they didn’t attempt to remove him from the house

[@benitasmith2840]

Tieman gave a beautiful rebuttal. Can't help but compare his concise, fair and eloquent speech to the bungling, sloppy defense speeches.

[@WendySS22]

I know this a very old case but so curious to know what that little box thing on the desks are that they put their finger in. Anyone know?? Along with this case it’s driving me crazy! Poor baby boy 😥

[@sonaa713]

Its a microphone, its on all the time unless they press a button to turn it off momentarily

[@WendySS22]

@@sonaa713 oh interesting. Thanks!

[@benitasmith2840]

I believe Jessica and her hair trigger temper caused all the injuries to Baby Dylan. How she inflicted those injuries was never discussed. Daniel is just as guilty because he didn't interfere when Jessica attacked Dylan. He is guilty as much as she is. I can't imagine what Jessica did to cause all those injuries and we'll never know how she did it because she is too cowardly to admit her actions. Perhaps in the future Daniel will come forth with the answers altho I doubt it. You can see the range of Jessica's temper by watching her testimony.

[@andrewpants3958]

She will never admit how she inflicted these injuries bc it would outright confirm that she truly is a monster.

[@susansehorn2412]

Since when does a jury decide Motive ? I thought that was the Prosecutions responsibility. Or the DETECTIVES... WTF!!??

[@chelleglenney156]

Motive does not have to be proven thus then letting the jury make the final decision.

[@tammiemilburn3568]

People on them drugs they don't care about their kids I don't care what any of them say they're liars all they worry about is that drug nothing is going to stand in their way with that drug not their kids either I know I seen it it's terrible and I don't care what they say they're liars then it's a sick way to think that they would take the drug over their kids but whatever

[@44beanie]

The baby had drugs in his system. Not from the mother when pregnant.

[@sarahallenhumboldt2638]

Chock full of commercials.

[@GlennaVan]

None of the videos I watched here had any commercials.

[@harletterider9658]

@@GlennaVan ..me either

[@tammiemilburn3568]

The baby is a gift from God I don't see how it can choose her over the baby there's some things that you got to choose a baby over I'm sorry that God give that gift to everybody if they want to take it and be happy with it thank you and goodbye

[@carebear20095]

Google the cps workers in this case😮

[@Maynardtkrebs]

Murder conviction by abuse of corpse. Poor defending. No way abuse of corpse should be in murder trial. Way too inflammatory! Just watch that prosecutor’s theatrics! Defense should not have allowed the defendants to testify. Bad mistake.

[@lesliebonventre6483]

Eustace Theodoro what kind of trial should abuse of a corpse be in? It’s part of the murder

[@GlennaVan]

Abuse of corpse is one of many charges in this case. Each charge is considered separately - there were eleven verdicts to be decided for each one of them. That was clearly outlined in the video "Groves Trial Day 4 - Charge Conference" - go back and watch it. Altogether, for the two of them, there were 22 verdicts, 11 each, on which to rule.

[@brendamullins7491]

They dumped the baby in well that is abuse

[@cherylbudzek1312]

I'm not a lawyer but those 2 shouldn't took the stand 😢 children services should never gave them the 🚼

[@Maynardtkrebs]

@@GlennaVan Yeah, that’s the point. Prosecutors control the charges, not the defendants. By throwing in inflammatory charges, the prosecutors put in evidence that has nothing to do with the central reason for the trial but is highly prejudicial. No way for a defendant to get a fair trial when the jurors are carrying nooses.

[@tammiemilburn3568]

Do you know how we actually got them fractures and bruises cuz he was crying cuz he was on those drugs that the mother put into her body and and he was crying over the pain of a broken ribs okay that's why people need to get serious about these people doing this you wouldn't want your baby crying dying like that why why would we want a baby dying like that thank you and goodbye

[@alethiacraven4305]

Again I ask...does anyone suspect that the 14yr old killed the baby and the parents are covering for him?

[@nancycoker7145]

No, nobody else thinks that. That poor 14 year old child has suffered enough with people blaming him. The drugged out pieces of crap killed Dylan, both of them!!!

[@allysonh6410]

No. 🙄

[@voraciousreader3341]

The parents at one time implied that the older brother killed the baby, but that’s ridiculous. His father was really happy to use the boy to substitute urine for him, and accuse him of murder, which is so abusive and harmful to that boy’s psyche that it constitutes it’s own crime, not just fraud, but it definitely tells you what kind of slime he is. The parents took drugs, not the son, and I think he was damned glad to get out of that house and go to school every day. Not only that, but there were older, healing injuries, and that points to the parents bc they were home with the baby all day. I also believe the boy’s testimony when he said he didn’t harm his brother.

[@jorgenvonstrangle9201]

🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

[@KaceyIlliot]

I suspect the foster family the most to be honest..Some of those injuries had to be done the first week of life and the foster family had the baby at that time.

[@pamelanadel3787]

The woman prosecutor did an amazing job speaking for Dylan Groves. But to chew gum like a high school freshman, well she blew her professional look!

[@simplelifeofnewmilns208]

Bugs me the way she chews gum

[@francesloa8541]

True

[@JustMe-uc1lt]

Agree. Very unprofessional. The eye makeup is too heavy, also. Then there’s the clanking of her jewellery on the rostrum when she presented her closing argument, hair extensions and fake nails. She’s good, but she just needs to tweak her image a little.

[@harletterider9658]

@@JustMe-uc1lt ,,u HAVE to be kidding !!

[@JustMe-uc1lt]

harlette rider nope. Though I will correct my comment about the jewellery: The microphones are for recording, not got the amplification of sound, so she would be unaware of the jewellery clanking.

[@harletterider9658]

@@JustMe-uc1lt ..don't WE all ?

[@44beanie]

I like the assistant prosecutor as brilliant but I think her hair swinging around was distracting and she is a very attractive person and would look more professional without the heavy make up. She is smart, warm and articulate but doesn't need the ott hair and makeup, she doesn't need it. As for the defence, I actually thought he was acting for the prosecution at times.

[@munchkintheoneandonly9253]

Really, I don't believe what you said about this fine lady, she is not ott with anything, nothing in the world could distract you from what was being said, it was so emotional and personal to this lady, she new these cruel people inside out and fought so hard for Dylan, to the point , I think it affected her

[@fearthebeardmomma2102]

Looks had nothing to do with it, and if that's what you were paying attention to, you were paying attention to the wrong thing. Her conviction, her passion, and her wit were at the forefront. She did an amazing job throughout, and none of it was taken away by her *looks*.

[@44beanie]

@@fearthebeardmomma2102 had you checked the timeline of the post?

[@44beanie]

@@fearthebeardmomma2102 I am entitled to my opinion.

[@nikiburton7659]

I’m in England I think they definitely did it together 😡 poor baby Dylan 😢😢💙

[@skitsmaxn]

Niki Burton they did do it together!! Because they was getting high together

[@guynellerandle9742]

Niki Burton , I know! That sweet baby should have been left with the foster mother. Why they gave him back to the actual biological parents is incomprehensible . Poor baby.

[@donnaharris7553]

Cheers England. ,love Enland.

[@theresarasche3173]

CPS should be on trial!!!

[@jenniferlarson6426]

Florida CPS too....they're horrible.

[@CornvilleConsigliere87]

Great one two punch from the state. Fire first followed by sobering facts. It was well done.

[@amandagreene7481]

I love both of these prosecutors. They did amazing and stood up for this baby!

[@kimberlynicholson8537]

I will never understand...all one has to do if they don’t want a child or can’t provide for a child is to take that child to a Fire Station or police department and there are no charges put on them for doing so, it is NOT against the law! Don’t murder them!!

[@44beanie]

Or have the child adopted.

[@hunterpecunia]

That is super cool I didn’t know that

[@kmontgomery3690]

Exactly and baby’s are always in such high demand he and others would of easily had a loving home and family.

[@ErenJeagerBomb]

That's probably not normal gum, but nic gum, and that's only because you can't clip a cigar in a courtroom anymore. And dammit the prosecution deserves it

[@carolnewberg1906]

I hope these soulless animals never see the light of day again.

[@galady8632]

Carol Newburg - I have a friend that was a guard in a male maximum security prison. She stated animals such as these 2 suffer horribly in prison - other inmates have plenty of time to ponder all that occurred to this tiny infant. They can do online research and ask visitors/family members for details. The worse day they will experience in prison will be better than and day the innocent 3 month old suffered in his short but painful life. They should suffer even more. The womb-donor cries for herself, certainly not for the precious infant. May they suffer each and every hour of every day. I also wish them torturous dreams, no escape while sleeping.

[@Kyra_of_Kerkyra]

Animals have souls unlike evil humans

[@amydaniels6442]

Prosecutors did a great job overall. Bravo! Even though it was a slam dunk, open and shut case for them, they still did a thorough job for the jury. Female prosecutor may look over these videos and see ways to polish the edges going forward, (chomping of gum - yes it's distracting) but that's miniscule. She will have a great career as a prosecutor as will her partner. I'm glad he closed it out, being the calmer of the two. Again, bravo team!! 👏

[@Maynardtkrebs]

Not bad for bottom feeders.

[@dianenelson1054]

I hope some one Beats them

[@arlomcgowan2727]

Also I will say that the gum chewing is a legitimate thing that a lot of people, myself included (I have ADHD), do to stay focused. I will agree that it may been a bit distracting though.

[@jenabo-bena3616]

i highly respect this prosecutor. he is very careful to ALWAYS use Jr. or Sr. he wants to make extremely clear and distinct the absolute divergence between the character of these two people. Sr.'s (then-)FIFTEEN year old son was more of a man the day he took the stand than Sr. will ever ever be. I hope Jr. is doing great. he deserves to be happy, he deserves to be at peace, he deserves to have love& support from good people who have made him their highest priority. I hope the entire town treats him like the hero he is rather than do what small towns unfortunately too often do& alienate& judge him based on the sins of his family. 'the bravest kid i know' -- HEAR, HEAR!

[@tammiemilburn3568]

No accidents no no no that was all intentional yeah there's accidents going on everyday but come on people watches over a two month old like a hawk their post to anyway

[@deplorablestateofmind9741]

The Verdicts are in!

[@ShonaCYOC]

I am surprised they never went down the path of post natal depression as a defense. Maybe because she was such a nasty hard to work with person that it would of failed. Why is he going on about the date of the death when everyone seems to agree that the 28th is when it occurred.

[@GlennaVan]

It would be difficult to claim postpartum depression for disposing of the body! And what is his excuse for helping to cover it up?

[@Gree263]

@@GlennaVan If they went down that road, prosecutors would start to investigate her character in general to prove she's just a terrible person in general, my gut tells me that would end pretty awfully for her.

[@LauRa-re9un]

she had jail, not death, I believe

[@TinkerBell-bt6vu]

Thats what I was thinking too but the evidence of that would have put the father in worse water for not reporting it to children's services basically this entire case was to protect him and her being there "taking responsibility" 🙄 was supposed to get him less time. And to see your wife in a different state would have put even more guilt on him

[@44beanie]

Still have no idea WHY they killed the baby. Why not have him adopted at birth?

[@JG-bi3he]

The State did great, they both did an amazing job.

[@tammiemilburn3568]

well they look pretty sober to me now since how they've been in prison for a little bit maybe they got something to think about now cuz they look off the quiet so I think maybe you can probably get some answers on pretty soon now that thing on them drugs

[@ajajajaj624]

Great job DA J Hutchinson

[@KaceyIlliot]

Why did her defense attorneys not bring up the fact that the broken ribs were done within the first week of life? It takes a long time for that type injury to heal and the baby's ribs were almost healed at the time of death.

[@benitasmith2840]

I've watched that bearded young man who sits behind the prosecutor. His serious expression has never changed. He sat with his head bowed during the autopsy testimony and never looked up to view the photos. I can't help but wonder who he is in relation to the other people in the gallery.

[@DamnitDana]

I’ve entered the same thing watching this trial years later….

[@saoirsemoon]

"you heard what they said, you don't need me or anyone else to tell you what they said". YES- empower and respect the damn jury, don't f-ing lecture them to do as you tell them! take note, defense attorney!

[@jordahnmadrigal4878]

I have a feeling she’s talking the fall for him… i honestly think he got tired of listening to the baby cry and snapped on him several times! Not that we will ever know the truth she’s not going say and neither is he! Rip sweet little angel 👼!

[@dianenelson1054]

Please give them 60 years to Ŀife in person with out per rol Please

[@Kyra_of_Kerkyra]

You shouldn't write any comments publicly

[@lexirae5236]

@@Kyra_of_Kerkyra why? Because they misspelled a word? Be a nicer person. (Diane here’s how you spell it. Prison, Parole)

[@benitasmith2840]

I have wondered if Jessica had given birth to a girl if things would have been different. We'll never know.

[@raewebb1399]

What do they keep putting their finger on at the defense table

[@sarahann4791]

I’m wondering the same

[@paulinerodriguez5629]

It's a microphone and as their attorneys' speak to their clients or each other...... They are turning the microphone off so that the jury nor the state can hear their defensive "strategy", if you will. Pretty much to keep any conversation private at that defense table! Funny thing is, these defendants are shown humility and there rights protected by the law......BUT these "parents" (AND I USE THE TERM IN THE MMMOOOSSSTTT LOOSE OF WAYS) couldn't afford baby Dylon the same. As defendants under the laws of our land, they have the "right" to be judged by 12 members of their peers, as defendants they also have the "right" to be represented by effective counsel, more times than not, at the expense of the state in which the trial is being held. Lastly as defendants, they also have the "right" to display evidence in a court of law, to try and prove they are innocent.... Unfortunately baby Dylon's RIGHTS we're decided by these animals....... Seems a little unfair, doesn't it???

[@ladancerly8521]

They are reaching for a a microphone to turn it mute so they can speak to their lawyers without the jurors or the tv microphones picking it up

[@Kyra_of_Kerkyra]

These are recording devices only, there are no microphones in the room. The judge said that in one the of the videos.

[@juliacastellanos7764]

Y r they covering the people's faces in the back?

[@thedoppelmayr]

Goosebumps!!!!

[@kaydencegauthier3857]

How did they pass that pee test when they test you right there for a pee test how did he do that with his sons pee

[@dariadavies256]

It’s very easily done, I know lots of people who do this they just have someone to provide clean urine in a container then I’m assuming put it in the bottle given to them at the screening. The case worker from Children’s services said she did not search him before his test or actually see him doing the test, she just was stood outside the door.

[@stevennonya8136]

I think the prosecutors both did an amazing job!! But I don’t think it’s professional of the female prosecutor to be chewing gum!! It’s very unprofessional!!! She is practically blowing bubbles with her gum lol 😂 she is really chomping on her gum 🙄🙄😬

[@taitorani7469]

There is really no strong evidence presented that the child had received some physical beatings, and from who. The doctors didn't see anything. The case worker didn't. All they had was Daniel jnrs words about seeing the bruise. The autopsy showed the fractures etc... but no evidence to prove whether an accidental fall or another person inflicted those injuries. Either way, i think both parents still have to take some responsibility for not ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Dylan so they should both do some time.

[@GlennaVan]

Actually, the medical examiner did present proof the child was struck by someone/something or onto something to have obtained the injuries he had. The official cause of death is "Homicidal Violence." That means there is evidence of violence which lead to the death. A two-month-old infant has no way to fracture his own skull or to break his own bones. The healing pattern on the skeleton showed the injuries were from at least three different incidents. Your entire first paragraph has no foundation - the baby's body disputes what you said. He was not a ten-year-old climbing trees and falling; he was an infant who could not even roll over yet.

[@melissaandersonblue3524]

You must be dense to think injuries healing at different rates were from anything but abuse

[@graceandelizbeththornton7263]

Thank you glenna rose you said it perfectly,that comment was ignorant

[@Holly707]

You watch too much CSI

[@lexirae5236]

Do you know how hard it is to break a babies bones? Especially at 2 months old? Your entire comment has no strong foundation.