Robert Moran is an Inquirer staff writer. Earlier updates from this morning's opening arguments are here.
11 a.m.
Fumo and Arnao "systematically" stole $1 million from a non-profit they ran called Citizens Alliance for Better Neighborhood, Pease told jurors. The staffers of the non-profit served as a personal trash and snow removal service for Fumo and Arnao.
For Christmas, the staffers delivered "several truckloads" of Christmas decorations to Fumo's Green Street mansion because the senator "decorated in style." The non-profit paid for "hot tub chemicals" for Fumo and many other personal items, including 17 vacuums.
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:
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
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
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."
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.
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
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.
A blog updated by the Inquirer online desk.
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