Martha Stewart Trial

Martha Stewart's trial is getting off to a slow start. According to this by Reuters, jury selection continues this week, with strikes for cause today. (The parties have had completed jury questionnaires for nearly a week.) Voir dire of the remaining panel won't begin until Jan. 20, which is probably the first day Stewart will appear in court.

Legal Reader has a note about the "powerhouse" lawyers appearing for both sides: Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Patton Seymour and defense lawyer Robert Morvillo.

For Martha's take on the trial, visit marthatalks.com. For Wall Street's, click here. Finally, Slate.com is featuring continuing coverage of the trial by former securities analyst Henry Blodget, who'll probably have plenty of empathy for the defense.

UPDATE I 1/27/04. The opening statements are underway, and AP reports on developments here: "Prosecutor Calls Martha Stewart a Liar." Meanwhile, Professor Bainbridge asks whether Martha is getting a fair trial: "Judge Guts Martha's Defense."

UPDATE II 1/28/04. Here's a report on the opening statement by Martha's lawyers: "Martha Stewart's lawyer blasts government as overzealous," by Mark Hamblett of the New York Law Journal.

UPDATE III 1/30/04. "Prosecution takes a hit as judge delays key testimony", by Erin McClam of the Associated Press (link from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

UPDATE IV 2/3/04. "Start Witness in Stewart Case Admits Lie," by Erin McClam of the Associated Press (link from Yahoo); "Faneuil Begins Testimony in Martha Stewart Trial," by Mark Hamblett, New York Law Journal.

UPDATE V 2/5/04. More about Faneuil, as his cross-examination continues: "Witness in Stewart Case Feared Losing Job," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE VI 2/7/04. Here's a link to Professor Bainbridge on "Faneuil's Credibility," and more about Faneuil's testimony in "Witness in Stewart Case Feared Losing Job," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE VII 2/11/04. "Aide Testifies That Stewart Altered Log," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE VIII 2/13/04. The prosecution takes a hit -- "Stewart Wins Key Ruling on Fraud Charge," by Paul Thomasch and Gail Appleson, Reuters (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE IX 2/18/04. As the prosecution is close to resting, they've taken another hit: "Martha Stewart Phone Speculation Barred by Judge," by Gail Appleson and Paul Thomasch of Reuters (link via Yahoo). Meanwhile, the defense faces a dilemma about putting Martha on the stand: "Lawyers Face Decision on Stewart Defense," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE X 2/19/04 Look out for friends sworn to tell the truth. "Close friend: Stewart knew ImClone CEO was dumping stock," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via sfgate.com).

UPDATE XI 2/23/04 The prosecution's case is finished, and now Judge Cedarbaum has some decisions to make. "Judge Could Drop Securities Fraud Charge Against Stewart," by Mark Hamblett, New York Law Journal.

UPDATE XII 2/25/04 The defense bogs down. "Lawyer for Star Witness Testifies in Stewart Trial," by Mark Hamblett, New York Law Journal.

UPDATE XIII 2/26/04 "Stewart Won't Testify at Stock Fraud Trial," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE XIV 2/26/04 "Lawyers Conclude the Defense of Martha Stewart," by Jonathan D. Glater, New York Times.

UPDATE XV 2/27/04 A significant victory for the defense. "Stewart Judge Throws Out Fraud Charge," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE XVI 3/1/04 Closing arguments by the prosecution. "Prosecutors Paint Martha Stewart a Liar," by Gail Appleson and Paul Thomasch, Reuters (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE XVII 3/2/04 "Stewart Attorney Argues for Acquittal," by Erin McClaim, Associated Press (link via Yahoo).

UPDATE XVIII 3/6/04 After Stewart is found guilty on all counts--"Stewart Predicts She'll Be Exonerated," by Erin McClam, Associated Press (link via the Belleville News-Democrat).

Comments

[Yoni Chockalingam]

Vulcans Unite under one Flag
Condoleezza Rice and Martha Stewart
http://scari.org/irreverent_Irreverence.html
For Christ sake someone give Martha a Gag Order. MarthaTalk is on MarthaTalk.com, there Marthatalk will inform you of just how guiltless a narcissistic character can be. On marthatalknarcissist.com, she, Martha will convince you of her authenticity. If this were a public hanging, Martha would twitch and wiggle for hours -- way past sunset. "Martha don't hang good, kick-in and squirming as she dangle, she wiggle too much and take too long to strangle. . ."

[S. Mercado]

There for the grace of God go all the mud slingers in this country. Why throw stones unless you have never done anything stupid or illegal in YOUR life. Martha is one class act with loads of brains, class and good judgment. Those with low self esteem should take a lesson from this strong lady. And, I might add, her Mom is almost 90. Have some respect for her if you can't crump some up for her daughter.

[Yeoman]

I just don't understand why it's news. As I posted on my own blog today, 100 Iraqi police recruits were killed this week, but the American media actually gave live coverage to her getting out of prison. It's a story of such little import and doesn't even belong on the news.