This trial started November 24, 2003 and is ongoing.

Day Two
November 25, 2003
by dll

8:55am - Arrived and hung up my coat.  The courtroom is considerably more subdued today.  The judge is hearing another case while everyone sets up for today's portion of the trial.  SB's lawyers are having coffee and sweet buns at their table.  AR's attorney's are preparing to present their opening statement.

8:58am - Defense team testing out computer equipment.  There is a "rear projection" projector and they are aiming it at the screen that is hanging from the ceiling of the courtroom.  

Prosecutor Davidheiser is conferring with the defense attorneys now but I can't hear them.

9:07am - SB and AR are brought in by the guards.  SB is wearing blue pants and similar shirt to yesterday (blue).  AR is wearing beige pants and a cream colored sweater with a dark green shirt underneath.  SB has a box with different ties to pick from.  He picks a different one from yesterday.

Four video cameras come out of nowhere.  Some still photography going on.  About half of what was here yesterday.  SB chatting intensely with one of his attorneys, Jeff Robinson.  SB blinks constantly while talking.  AR is sitting at his table quietly with his hands folded in front of him.

In the courtroom now: SB and AR and their attorneys, the prosecutors, about 10 reporters and 5 or so spectators.  

9:11am - "48 Hours" camera is being setup.  

9:22am - One of AR's lawyers, Veronica Freitas, is talking to SB and AR about the media coverage.  Can't hear much but heard her say something about a 'big picture of Sebastian with his tie on.'  

Now Veronica is playing with her laser pointer, pointing it at people and saying, "Bang! You're dead!"  People are laughing.

SB is smiling at and talking to two youngish females behind me.  I didn't want to listen in so I went and talked with another spectator who I wanted to get to know.  

9:24am - Jury enters.  Veronica starts her opening statements.  

10:19am - Opening statements end.  Judge tells jury he will see them next Monday at 9am and to be sure to have a great Thanksgiving.

After the jury leaves the judge talks to Jeff Robinson and Prosecutor Roger Davidheiser about some motion Robinson is about to file.  He said they would next meet about it Monday at 8:30am.  Davidheiser complained that he didn't want to take time from his family over the holidays to work on it, so the judge said he'd have 48 hours as of that Monday morning to file an answer.  This seemed to be agreed upon.

The judge then addressed the media and told them that when the prosecution calls these Canadian undercover cops, that there is a court order that no one is to take any pictures of them.  He said that even though someone in Canada violated that order and published pictures of them, that doesn't mean the order is vacated so it is still in affect.

10:24am - Court ends for the day.

Defense attorneys: Burns and Rafay's confession is false

Rafay defense plays up family harmony