Quite a week. Manafort’s former partner in crime, Rick Gates, was called to testify late Monday and remained in the hot seat through Wednesday morning. Then came the real meat of the case in sometimes tedious testimony from, an FBI forensic accountant, an IRS revenue agent, and several banking officers. And on Friday there was an unexplained delay possibly due to a jury issue. We don’t know the reason yet but the judge did go back to the jury area and spent a considerable amount of time in there.
The government is expected to rest on Monday after calling a couple of final witnesses. My sketches from week two are posted below more or less chronologically.
Courtroom sketching is a form of visual journalism or reportage drawing that is slowly dying out. Where once upon a time news organization each had their own artist covering a story, today a “pool” artist often sketches for all. It is a demanding and stressful discipline where the drawing is often done directly and under tight deadline.
After forty-five years of news sketching in courtrooms and congress I’m calling it quits. It’s been sometimes fun, sometimes frustrating, almost always interesting. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great people. Don’t think I’ll miss it, but a little scared of not having a deadline.
While I won’t be sketching in court anymore, I may continue to post to this blog from time to time. Not sure what that might be. I’m about to start a new assignment documenting infrastructure and construction. Could be interesting.
Thank you
Very impressive visuals. Nice work
Thank you, Kenny
Noticed on the news coverage of the manafort trial you could not quite capture mr. Manafort just slightly looked like him
Just doing the best I can. Sorry it doesn’t meet your expectations, Steve.
Please don’t apologize!! Steve doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Your drawings are wonderful. I’ve been enjoying seeing them on tv each night. Thank you!! Keep up the good work!!
Thank you, Sharon !!!
MSNBC has your drawing of today’s Manafort courtroom proceeding. They are wonderful; full of color, life, and emotion.
Thank you,
Terry Barton
Wonderful work! As someone who is in a parallel business i appreciate your ‘light hand’! So excited to give this as a premiere X-mas gift. Keep up the good work.
Thank you, Janet! Please forgive the late reply, I’m terrible at keeping up with the blog.