And she's got bruises.
And she got paid off.
That's what bothers me about the "payoff" thing. There is no real proof that it happened, yet it is widely accepted as fact that Hardy did pay Holder off.
I mean, he could have... but we don't know if he did. Simply because the DA implied that it happened, the masses point to that as proof positive that Holder got paid. The DA would do that in order to try to save face during an exceptionally embarrassing case for him. Of course the prosecutor wouldn't go into how he could still take the case to court but simply didn't believe Ms. Holder's testimony enough to stake his reputation on it.
Yes he would have taken the case to court if Holder was there because that would have made the fact that he didn't believe her testimony a moot point. Without Holder, the DA wouldn't stand in front of a judge and jury and vouch for her story. That is the crux of the problem.
So when he said he couldn't go forward because Holder wasn't there, he was technically telling the truth. The bottom line though was that her story's conflicted and he didn't trust any of them.
However, he had no problem implying that Hardy paying her off was the only issue. Misleading, at best.
Do I
think he paid her off? I do think it is likely to have happened, but that means very little. He probably would have done so even if his account of what happened was absolutely true. There was so much at stake and having her just go away would have been the best thing for Hardy no matter what happened.
I realize many think it is proof of his guilt but it isn't IMO. I think he would attempt to make her be quiet no matter who is telling the truth. And don't forget that the DA could have made charges if that was the case. He didn't.
As for the bruises... I'm surprised that most people don't see it the same way that I do. I would think that just about everyone would see that they prove nothing because the bruises were fully expected to be there. Everyone knew they were there and they would be there no matter who's version of the story is actually true. Holder admitted to smashing her elbow back in the friend's face. She admitted to the friend having to restrain her and pull her out of the room, causing bruises all over her arms, etc.
So, even though my expectations are exceedingly low for rational thought on the internet (not talking about you AbeBeta), it still took me by surprise how little people actually admitted that the bruising means nothing in the right/wrong aspect of the case.