When I last wrote, I stopped when we were at our morning break. It was a mad rush out the doors again, and a mad grab for your cell phone. Just outside of the courtroom there are two tubs that are labeled “Media” where we have to put our cell phones before we go in. It’s either that or you have to run all the way to your car at every break and maybe miss getting back in. Good thing we all trust each other! LOL!
So I dodged the pool camera (I hate that part) and grabbed my phone. I was shaking because I could not believe what I had just witnessed - Mrs. Doe’s “performance.” I was pretty sure the only person I could call in my rantings to was Buns. I had called her earlier about the darkened sheriff’s van rolling into the back of the court house, which is why I was so confused as to Mrs. Doe’s tardiness. I saw all the media peeps with cell phones to their ears calling their people, but I was torn between 2 choices. One: Do I listen to what their opinions were of Mrs. Doe so far? or Two: Do I call MJJF? Decisions! Decisions! What to do?
Well, it was an easy choice. I decided to call MJJF because I knew I’d be back to the “board.” Besides, they were all talking so loud I couldn’t hear anything anyway. It was unusual that most of them (all but Diane Diamond) saw the testimony of Mrs. Doe in the same way so far. The best I can put it is that she is “one taco short of a combo plate.” Id love to know how I sounded to Buns, as I am sure I was a bit “short,” myself. I ended my call, and we all poured back in for the next scene to unfold.
By the way, it was during this break that I noticed a pigeon that was obviously in trouble by a tree in the courtyard. I went over to one of the deputies and said, “I know you have a lot on your minds, but that bird needs some help.” They looked at me with the “huh” look, but, since they could see I was media and could maybe set this in a bad light, they promised me they’d call animal control to “help” the bird. We followed through at lunch time and found out an animal control van had been there and had retrieved a pigeon. So maybe they really were concerned about the bird. You make the call. Anyway, that’s my bird story.
I must point out that this time when I went back in to the courtroom, I had the best view of Michael! Oh, my gosh!!! I was able to watch him interact with some of his family and his close friends who were there. I’ve opted to not name them specifically, because I feel, if they want to share, that’s their choice. My point in bringing this part up is that Michael seemed to me so relaxed. He had his hands in his pockets and he was just standing there! He was facing the gallery, so, instead of just seeing the back of him or the side of him, there he was, right in front of me! Of course he was in front of the full courtroom, too. But for that moment, I was the only one in the room! Or so it seemed! It’s hard to describe. It’s almost like time stood still for that brief beautiful, moment. He whispered into someone’s ear and then the moment was gone. He sat down.
The judge still hadn’t walked in yet and Mrs. Doe was not back up on the stand, either. She was being held in seclusion, I guess. One of Michael’s brothers tried to get Michael.s attention. He called from his seat, “Michael! Michael!” But I don’t think Michael heard him. Then that knock on the door and the, “All rise,” and the judge came in and sat down.
Mrs. Doe was brought in from a side door and that gray-haired lady sat in the jury box again. (I must find out her name and her duty.) Mrs. Doe was advised that she was still under oath (*cough, cough*) Mr. Meserau again walked confidently up to the podium. Michael once again looked in her direction, and the show was underway.
From this point on, the examination was very difficult to keep up with or even understand. It seemed to me she had basic statements that were at the ready. She repeated these over and over again to all of Mez’s questions. It really didn’t matter which question he asked, there were her pat responses:
1. He’s your guys.
1. What Frank told me.
2. Brad Miller was a terrible guy.
3. Mark Geragos is a bad guy.
4. I’m getting images.
5. I don’t know.
6. I don’t remember.
7. Damage control team.
8. I don’t trust anybody, just the prosecution team.
At one point Mez asked her repeatedly if Mark Geragos was part of the team that she felt had falsely imprisoned her. She said she didn’t know. He then asked her if Mark Geragos was in on kidnapping her. She said she couldn’t remember. Also, during a question from Mez, she just started going through lists of names like xxxxx, co-conspirator 1, 2, etc. She said, “I’ll tell you their names,” but the judge had to stop her. There were also some questions regarding her asking Sneddon for paperwork to collect money from a victim’s comp fund. At first she said no. Then she said yes, but only to get counseling for her children.
After Mrs. Doe had gone on for close to 2 hours, my assistant Martha, leaned up to whisper in Latoya’s ear, “If this is the best they have, this is all over with.” Latoya giggled and then Janet asked her what she was giggling at. So Martha shared the same thoughts with Janet while patting her shoulder. It’s times like these when you understand that the Jacksons are family. There is teasing back and forth, sharing of mints (Martha called them the “Altoid family”), Janet clutching Jermaine’s chin and patting his leg, Janet and Latoya constantly reminding Randy to tuck in his suit coat, as it was always hanging over the arm of the seat - all showing how much love there really is between them. It was adorable to watch, and I had to force myself to pay attention to Mrs. Doe. But then I realized she hadn’t said anything new for a while, and since lunch time was coming anyway, I sat back and enjoyed the interactions of the most famous family in the world going on right in front of me!!!!
Throughout the entire 2 hours, though, the people in my row kept staring at me as if they were asking, “Is this for real?” “Is she serious?” I may be going out on a limb here, but I watched Detective Moller’s expression during this examination and there were times when he was shaking his own dad-burned head!!!
The testimony started to wind down. The last two questions to Mrs. Doe were as follows:
1. Did you believe Mark Geragos was a part of the death threats you’ve alluded to?
2. Was Mark Geragos a part of the team that took you to Brazil?
Her answers to both were, “I don’t remember.”
The Defense said, “WE have no more questions.” The prosecution said “NO QUESTIONS, YOUR HONOR!” And it was over. There was silence in the courtroom. She left the stand.
Before we could catch our breath, however, the judge asked if the defense wanted to use the remaining 10 minutes or so to go into another area before lunch, or if we should break. Jermaine turned around and said to us, “You guys are hungry, right?” We smiled and said, “yes.” Shortly thereafter, court broke for lunch.
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