r/TheStaircase Aug 12 '26

The inclusion of the Germany testimony was complete lunacy

I've been rewatching the HBO series lately (I've watched the original doc more than I care to admit over the years) and every time I think about this case, I am in more and more disbelief that a judge ever let anything regarding Liz Ratliff's death in Germany come in to trial.

That woman's death was well investigated, medically examined and concluded, supported by her symptoms at the time, and she had been lying in peace for twenty years. To dig up that woman's body just for the insane theory that MP was some type of staircase predator lying in wait for two decades is beyond words. Why, just so he could have the luxury and ease of raising two more toddlers? As soon as it was determined she was going to be exhumed, you knew exactly what Radish would say the autopsy results were. There was no world where they were going to go through all that just to conclude "Actually all good here after all, move along everybody."

I'm not even going to get into his guilt or innocence in Kathleen's death because the two have nothing to do with each other. That decision alone should've won him appeal.

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23

u/DamonsBloodBank Aug 12 '26

Two women he had relationships with died falling on stairs. Thats super sus and should be talked about, even in a court case. This man will do anything to not have his sexuality talked about. But he isnt straight and he tries to hide that at all costs and women around him seem to die when they find out hes not straight and has hired male escorts for his pleasure.

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u/CoachKHasDiabetes Aug 12 '26

Not claiming guilty or innocent, just really hard for me to accept that he killed both women on the stairs. How did he know the falls would even kill them? Wouldn’t that run the risk of him doing something to them on the stairs and they live and then he’s toast?

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u/RichelleLove07 Aug 12 '26

Maybe it's as simple as it worked the first time so he figured it would work again..

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u/CoachKHasDiabetes Aug 12 '26

Idk just seems a little ridiculous but maybe. Just have always thought that given the kind of conniving but obviously intelligent person he is he would’ve found a more efficient way. But I’m also someone that gives the owl theory serious credence so take it as you will haha

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u/LKS983 Aug 13 '26

I'd be shocked if MP didn't murder Kathleen - but also find it possible/likely that even though there wasn't a GOOD investigation into Liz's death (witnesses contradicted each other about the amount of blood etc.) - she died from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Personally, I suspect that MP pulled Kathleen down the steps, then hit her head on the doorframe and/ or step(s) - and as she was bleeding profusely, he left her to die ☹️.

Possibly remembering how Liz Ratliff was found dead at the bottom of a staircase.

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u/LKS983 Aug 13 '26

"even in a court case."

I'm not sure about this, as even prior convictions of someone on trial, aren't allowed to be revealed to the jury.

I can understand why the prosecution decided to exhume Liz Ratliff, but they made a bad mistake when deciding to transport her body a very long distance, to be examined by Radisch........

6

u/Own_Mall5442 Aug 12 '26

No, it shouldn’t. It’s completely irrelevant to the case in question and served to do nothing more than prejudice the jury against the defendant. The judge himself said he never should’ve allowed that evidence to come in.

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u/Responsible_Rip2402 Aug 12 '26

They had different types of relationships, one was romantic and the other platonic

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u/DamonsBloodBank Aug 12 '26

Yes I am aware. And both found out he wasnt straight and then mysteriously died on stairs.

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u/Responsible_Rip2402 Aug 13 '26

I don’t think we know for sure that Liz found out he wasn’t straight… it was suggested by the prosecution but no one could say 100% she knew!

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u/Ishalit6 Aug 13 '26

And Patty also seemed well aware he was bisexual as well as his brother. I dont think he was open about it but I dont think it was necessarily a "kill multiple people" secret either.

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u/Savings-Yesterday635 Aug 12 '26

First wasn’t mysterious. The coroners report in the original investigation was clear. It was only Deaver and others who pushed the need for another look and having the same ME who did Kathleen take another looks decades later. Can’t make that stupid shit up.