from CNN this is the world today with
Frank Sesno
in Washington thanks for joining us
Frank Sesno is off this evening animated
figures somewhat like those in cartoons
have been used to create a crime for
California Court to recreate a crime the
defendant in the case was convicted the
defense said the animation mislead the
jury and the verdict will be appealed we
learn more about the controversial trial
animation process from Don Knapp in San
Francisco murder defendant Jim Mitchell
said he blanked out could not remember
details of the shooting that left his
brother Artie dead but there were
details of plenty and the prosecuting
attorney's computer animated version of
the killing a robot figure simulating
victim Artie Mitchell moves about as
gunshots flash the prosecution argued
that pornographer Jim Mitchell murdered
his business partner brother one year
ago so it's all based on actual physical
evidence and investigation it all
Sherlock Holmes stuff that allows the
two creators investigator Alexander
Jason created the animated sequence with
his own personal computer
Jason relied on the details and autopsy
and police reports as well as his own
crime scene investigation a jury
convicted Jim Mitchell of voluntary
manslaughter his attorney plans an
appeal based in part on the computer
animation