A good argument for cameras in the courtroom.

Check this out.

The real action occurs at 7:06 on the video counter, followed by moaning from the lawyer (off-camera).

Inspectors at Dyer building today

The David W. Dyer building will be inspected today by lawyers and experts for Ted Klein's family.

I have been informed that, contrary to recent news articles, the Judge did *not* order the cleanup to stop. Instead, he simply permitted the plaintiff's team in the building before the 6 month period for filing a federal tort claim act lawsuit ran.

"Absolved of terrorism, Haitian still in limbo"

Jay Weaver's article on Lyglenson Lemorin's plight can be read here. Lemorin is the acquitted defendant from the Liberty City 7 case who remains jailed by imimgration authorities based on the same conduct even though he is a lawful permanent resident with no prior convictions.

It's not too late

The South Florida Federal Bar Association Judicial Reception is this Thursday night at the Hyatt from 5:30 to 8. RSVP now to Lourdes Fernandez at: Lourdes_Fernandez@flsd.uscourts.gov

Opening statements in Liberty City 6 case

Here's a nice article by the AP's Curt Anderson summarizing today's openings. Here's some of the back and forth:

Ana M. Jhones, an attorney for alleged ringleader Narseal Batiste, told the new, racially mixed jury of seven men and five women that the FBI agents and prosecutors sought to build a case at any cost against the men from Miami's impoverished Liberty City neighborhood.

"This was about desperation - desperation to justify something that never happened," Jhones said in her opening statement. "We have a fabrication, a setup, of six young black men from Liberty City."

Prosecutors, however, said the FBI was right to aggressively follow tips that the group was discussing the overthrow of the U.S. government through the bombings and forming alliances with Islamic extremist groups. Although the men never obtained any weapons or explosives to carry out any attacks, prosecutors said the crime was in their agreement to do so.

"They had the will, they had the heart, they had the soul to do harm to this country," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Arango. "All they needed was assistance, and al-Qaida was that ticket."

The picture at the upper left is from the Herald article. Pictured are: