Mountain Lion Trial Update: Morning 3
by Atlatl Friday, Dec. 09, 2005 at 11:35 AM

This morning saw witnesses testifying to the circumstances regarding Rod Coronado's arrest. This afternoon we anticipate FBI testimony and the edited version of Esquire reporter John Richardson's tapes.

Trial Update: Morning 3

This morning, the prosecution’s case continued with a witness from the US Forest Service, one from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and an evidence specialist from the FBI. The first two witnesses testified regarding the arrest of Rod Coronado and the contents of his backpack, and the prosecution played a videorecording from a tape that was found in Rod’s backpack. The recording showed hunters in Sabino Canyon on the day of the arrests and had Rod’s voice on it. It also showed the Game and Fish-contracted helicopter apparently pursuing Rod.

The third witness, who will continue testifiying this afternoon, has so far only established that he took pictures of undisturbed snares after Rod and Esquire reporter John Richardson were arrested.

Anticipated this afternoon are more FBI witnesses and the edited version of John Richardson’s tapes.

After the jury left the room, the judge handed out a revised transcript of the tapes, with all prejudicial and irrelevant material stricken. Unfortunately, that still leaves plenty for the jury to listen to that is irrelevant and that the FBI and prosecution will TRY to make prejudicial, such as information about previous EF!-type campaigns the defendants had been involved in, a press conference involving the Center for Biological Diversity, and other information they merely told John as part of being interviewed by a reporter.

The prosecution’s editing team is going to try and have the edited version of the tape ready by this afternoon.

The trial will continue this afternoon at 2pm. It will reconvene Monday morning at 9:30, go until about noon, then reconvene at about 1:15 until about 5. Hopefully it will finish Monday (other than jury deliberations), but given the pace of things it may go till Tuesday.

Supporters are welcome in the courtroom (courtroom 6B, federal courthouse, at the corner of Congress and Granada) at any time. Remember to bring a photo ID and be prepared to go through a security check. Remember that any behavior of the audience may reflect on the defendants in the jury’s mind, so try and stay calm and cool regardless of how obnoxious the prosecution and their witnesses behave. We haven't had any problems - this is just a friendly reminder.

www.azef.org

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