Overheard in the Courthouse: ‘Don’t worry’
comments ()“I’ll still talk to you. Don’t worry about them. I’ll tell you everything you need to know.” – Defense attorney joking about Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins’ new policy that...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: not a carpenter
comments ()“I’m a lawyer, not a carpenter.” – Defense attorney during a hearing when a tape measure he was using to show distances abruptly rolled back inside its … [visit site to read more]
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: hurry up and wait
comments ()Courtroom observer 1: What are we waiting for? Courtroom observer 2: We don’t know. – Two people waiting for court to begin There are often long waits in court when no one is sure when...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: identifying the witness
comments ()“That describes me, too.” – Defense attorney Scottie Allen in court when a witness identified his client as the man wearing a dark suit, light blue tie and a white … [visit site to read more]
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: sage advice
comments ()“Don’t lay down like you’re going to sleep in the courtroom. He won’t like that.” – Defense attorney to his client as she walked into the courtroom of State District Judge Mark … [visit site...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: superior fashion accessories?
comments ()A uniformed bailiff looks at an attorney’s suit and says “Your uniform is sharper than mine.” Attorney: “Yeah, but you’ve got the badge and … [visit site to read more]
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: a matter of record
comments ()“You are who your record says you are … You can always look at yourself and have an opinion of yourself. But, to jurors, it’s your record that matters.” – Defense attorney to client awaiting...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: of course
comments ()“Well, I am from Louisiana.” – A defendant responding to his defense attorney’s question about whether he has a criminal … [visit site to read more]
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: thug life or not?
comments ()“I guess you’ve got to make a choice at 24 years of age: Do you want to be a thug for the rest of your life or not.” – State District Judge Rick Magnis, addressing a defendant and admitted...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: church and state
comments ()“I know eight and nine were present; Ten probably was, too,” said State District Judge Andy Chatham. “We have to combine church and state in this instance because the church has a role.”...
View ArticleOverheard in the courthouse: ‘Can you read?’
comments ()“Can you read?” – Defense attorney while questioning a medical doctor about a report. The doctor requested the complete report when asked a question about a portion of it. This was the...
View ArticleOverheard in the courthouse: burden of proof
comments ()“It’s not our frickin’ burden.” – Defense attorney Lisa Fox during closing arguments in the manslaughter trial of Justin Heaton, who is accused of driving drunk, running a stop sign and...
View ArticleOverheard in the courthouse: Sharing
comments ()“Here take these.” – State District Judge John Creuzot, handing his glasses to Dallas County prosecutor Andy Beach from the bench in the middle of the trial. Beach was trying to read an...
View ArticleOverheard in the courthouse: s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g
comments ()“That’s contrary to the way I spell it, but I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt.” – Defense attorney Doug Parks after a witness he was about to question spelled her name for the … [visit...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: look alikes?
comments ()“‘Hey, that’s you.’” – former Dallas police officer George Kleinmeier testifying about what he said when he looked at Jonathan Bruce Reed and then a composite sketch on the visor of his...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: Pass
comments ()“I think I’ll pass.” – accused killer Jonathan Bruce Reed in court about whether he will testify in his capital murder trial in the 1978 slaying of Braniff Airlines flight attendant Wanda...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: You know how to whistle, don’t you?
comments ()“If I could whistle, I would.” – defense attorney after a bailiff who always wears suits changed into his sheriff’s department … [visit site to read more]
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: ahead of the game
comments ()“That ought to get your ahead of 75 to 100 cars out there on the freeway.” – Dallas County visiting judge Paul Banner telling jurors he didn’t think they would be “offended” if court ended...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: enough already
comments ()“Is everybody done so I can rule?” – Dallas County visiting judge Paul Banner who was ready to make a ruling on an objection except the prosecution and defense kept making their point over...
View ArticleOverheard in the Courthouse: a blue streak
comments ()“You have such pretty blue hair. Don’t dye the rest of it blonde. Dye it blue.” – State District Judge Andy Chatham to a defendant with blue streaks in her hair as she stood before the judge...
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