Father Says Son Is Innocent, but Many Observers Disagree

That some doubt Michael Dally’s veracity, scoff at his tears or second-guess his risky decision to testify on his own behalf hardly surprises the defendant’s father.

In the minds of many, he knows, Michael Dally’s guilt was decided long before his trial ever began.

But on Tuesday, Lawrence Dally’s support for his son, who has been convicted of murder, did not waver.

Michael Dally is innocent, his father said, as the penalty phase in his son’s case neared its conclusion.

That Michael Dally decided to testify on his own behalf--despite warnings that it could backfire--is only natural.

“You can’t fake those tears,” Lawrence Dally said, as the usual throng of observers lined up for a cherished seat in Courtroom 45. “They’re coming from his heart. I raised that boy, and I’ll tell you right now, he’s innocent.”

Plenty of others believe otherwise, convinced that Dally’s refusal to answer some questions and his penchant for contradicting himself are proof enough that he is lying.

Most casual trial observers were long ago certain of Dally’s guilt in the May 1996 murder of his wife, Sherri Dally.

They were disgusted by damning testimony of Dally’s drug use, his treatment of his wife and his use of prostitutes while Sherri Dally was alive, not to mention his seeming lack ofinterest in finding her after she disappeared.

In particular, his testimony Monday that he was in love with two women at the same time, some said, only reinforced their loathing.

“I thought, what a jerk,” said court watcher Raylene Robinson of Ventura. “If every man thought that way, I can’t believe where we’d be.”

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The courtroom stayed at near capacity Tuesday as one of the most closely watched trials in county history neared completion.

Determined to reserve their places in line during the lunch break, avid court watchers now well-versed at jockeying for open seats left purses, keys, newspapers and magazines in their places.

June Barnes of Ventura, who has seen almost all of Dally’s trial, said she was struck by how poorly he handled himself during a blistering cross-examination.

“The guy can’t even answer a yes or no question,” Barnes said. “He tripped himself up so many times it was pathetic.”

Among most, there was little doubt that Dally was merely putting on a show, as one prosecutor put it, worthy of an Academy Award.

“I think he’s got such an ego that he couldn’t just sit there without showing what he could do,” said court watcher Fran Phillips of Ventura. “He thought he could charm the jury like he did all those women.”

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But Jhana Weekes, a 17-year-old student at Newbury Park’s Adventist Academy, said that true or not, Dally’s show of emotion could have easily swayed some on the jury.

Dally’s decision to testify, she said, “may have been wise.”

“A lot of times, people’s judgment seems to be clouded by their emotions,” said Jhana, who observed the trial’s penalty phase for extra credit in a U.S. history class. “He was very emotional. It might have worked in his favor.”

Not a chance, said Michelle Robinson, a former employee at the Target store in whose parking lot Sherri Dally was abducted.

“I saw no remorse, crying on cue, no sadness whatsoever, other than for his own guilt, being caught in his own lies and manipulations,” Robinson said. “I don’t really think he saved himself. He just dug himself a deeper hole.”

Lawrence Dally said he hopes the jury reads things otherwise and understands that his grandsons, Max and Devon, need their father to live.

“I know he’s innocent, and right now, I’m hoping the jury doesn’t make the same mistake they did already,” Dally said. “He’s not guilty.”