Fireworks at Stevens Trial
Expecting a long day of testimony from a single witness and the playing of wiretap tapes, we were taken by surprise when Sen. Stevens’ attorney, Brendan Sullivan, launched into a theatrical explosion of outrage and indignation. He had reason: the government had not, until the late the previous night, turned over a portion of FBI interview notes where Bill Allen says that had he billed him for the improvements to his home Ted Stevens would have paid.
An argument between Brendan Sullivan and prosecutor Brenda Morris quickly escalated. “He called me out, Judge,” Ms. Morris protested “I hear a lot of noise coming from Mr. Sullivan.”
Judge Emmet Sullivan turned down the defense’s calls for dismissal or mistrial. The trial resumes on Monday.
Washington Post story here.
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.
