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Monday, September 8, 2008
Fumo Trial: Day One - jury selection
The huge undertaking that is the U.S v. Vincent J. Fumo has begun today with a massive jury selection effort involving a pool of 220 candidates at the federal courthouse in Center City. Eventually, the pool will be whittled down to 12 jurors and four alternates.

The potential jurors will be faced with a monster 11-page juror questionnaire and 13 pages listing more than 300 people that candidates must review to see if they know, say, Jerry Blavat or Gov. Rendell.

Question #43 should give some of the potential jurors pause:

"...it is anticipated that the trial will be a lengthy one, and last for approximately 3 months..."

Jury selection is expected to take most of the week.

Fumo, appearing in good spirits, arrived at 9:14 a.m. to Courtroom 17A accompanied by a small entourage that included Dennis Cogan, his lawyer, Carolyn Zinni, his girlfriend, and his son, Vincent E. Fumo.

After some minor legal wrangling, U.S. District Judge William H. Yohn Jr. moved the proceeding down to the first-floor ceremonial courtroom to handle the massive selection process.

-Inquirer Staff
Posted by Inquirer Breaking News Team @ 11:29 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Live from the Jocelyn Kirsch hearing

The reporter has been escorted out of the courtroom. He was told that he was not allowed to broadcast from there, though another reporter had received permission to do so prior to the hearing.

 -- From reporter Sam Wood outside the courtroom

Posted by Chris Krewson @ 2:57 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Live from the Jocelyn Kirsch hearing
Prosecutors continue: On April 5, she stole a bike after identifying herself with a false name. The owner of the bike shop identified her, and noted her purple eyes. (She wears colored contact lenses.) Prosecutors say that after she had agreed to reform, she continued on with her criminal activities. She was audacious, they say, and that sends a clear signal regarding her conduct.

Prosecutors say that after she was confronted with the new charges, the terms of her plea agreement changed, and that led to her change to a not-guilty plea in this hearing.

-- From reporter Sam Wood in the courtroom

Posted by Chris Krewson @ 2:56 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Live from the Jocelyn Kirsch hearing

In a calm voice, Kirsch replies to the judge that she understands the charges. Her voice is clear as she responds to procedural questions. And in her glasses, she resembles a mouse.

She waives her right to be indicted and pleads not guilty.

Prosecutors say Kirsch was going to plead guilty today. They seek detention because she is "a potential risk of flight."

Prosecutors say she has proven herself to be a flight risk because of the offenses she committed after she promised to reform herself. She committed additional fraud, they say, in stealing credit card information from a coworker at a California Starbucks.

-- From reporter Sam Wood in the courtroom

Posted by Chris Krewson @ 2:27 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Live from the Jocelyn Kirsch hearing

The judge has arrived.

A stark contrast to the way she's been portrayed in the media, Jocelyn Kirsch, in a white jacket, khakis and a ponytail, is soft-spoken,  She had beer for dinner last night, Jocelyn Kirsch tells the judge when she was asked whether she had any alcohol. She said she had been hospitalized for psychiatric care and listed three or four medications she was taking under doctor's orders.  

The judge reads a laundry list of charges while Kirsch, flanked by her attorneys, remains standing.

-- From reporter Sam Wood in the courtroom

Posted by Chris Krewson @ 2:16 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Live from the Jocelyn Kirsch hearing

Most rock clubs don't see this many people. The courtroom is filled mostly with young court workers who have come for a glimpse of Kirsch. A court worker is ordering us to turn off PDAs.

-- From reporter Sam Wood in the courtroom

Posted by Chris Krewson @ 2:12 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Live from the Jocelyn Kirsch hearing

Standing room only.

U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno is known to be severe, even when he's being nice, said one regular federal court reporter.

-- From reporter Sam Wood in the courtroom

Posted by Chris Krewson @ 1:59 PM  Permalink | Post a comment
Saturday, April 26, 2008
It's over

The first round is over, and for the second consecutive season, the Eagles did not have a pick. The first round stretched over 3hours, 30 minutes thanks to a new 10-minute time limit between picks. It was the shortest first round since 1990.

When Roger Goodell told the crowd that little tidbit, the fans cheered. "I take that as a sign of approval," Goodell said.

Posted by Ashley Fox @ 6:39 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Saturday, April 26, 2008
A run on OTs...

Apparently, just about everybody needed an offensive tackle. Of the first 29 picks, eight have been offensive tackles. Jake Long got the party started as the No. 1 overall selection. Then, 11 picks later, Ryan Clady from Boise State went to Denver. The Eagles had a chance to get Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh, but traded the pick to Carolina. 

Sometimes once a type of player gets hot -- in this case, offensive tackles -- these things happen. 

 

Posted by Ashley Fox @ 6:18 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Can you say possible Top 10 pick next year?

 

 The Carolina Panthers must have wanted Jeff Otah BAD. In exchange for the Eagles' No. 19 pick, the Panthers gave up their first-round pick next year, which has the possibility of being a top 10 pick. The Panthers also handed over their second-round (No. 43) and fourth-round (No. 109) picks this year. Carolina picked Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart at 13.

Or, you could say that the Eagles are stockpiling ammunition to get Chad Johnson. I know that the Bengals have bent over backwards saying they're going to keep their disgruntled wide receiver, but I don't believe them. They've got to get some value for Johnson. Johnson has said he'll sit out the season before he plays for the Bengals again, and Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was on ESPN two hours before the draft saying that his "sources" told him the Bengals have turned down multiple first-round picks for Johnson. Maybe they have. Maybe the picks weren't high enough to get the Bengals interest. Maybe the Eagles now have the means to get Johnson. Or maybe not.

The Eagles need a wide receiver. That we all know for sure.

Posted by Ashley Fox @ 5:24 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
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About Inquirer Breaking News
Live from the courtroom, the Inquirer is blogging the federal corruption trial of State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo and his longtime friend and associate Ruth Arnao. Highlights of testimony, rulings and the courtroom scene will be posted here regularly. Fumo, a Democratic state senator since 1978, is accused in a 139-count indictment of conspiring to defraud the Senate, a South Philadelphia nonprofit, and the Independence Seaport Museum; obstruction of justice; and tax violations. The fraudulent activity totaled $3.5 million, prosecutors allege.