Huffpost at Pellicano Trial

The actual bottom line is that even with a few embarrassing and inconvenient moments, the rich and powerful citizens of Los Angeles (and a few other places) didn't have to go to jail.

The latest update from the Pellicano jury room is that the jury deliberations are proving to be as confusing as the actual case.

The prosecutors and the defense attorneys have shaken hands and I'm sitting in the hallway wondering about how so many people who broke the law walked away from this mess without so much as a scratch.

Ms. Soo Hoo effectively pointed out that along with Ms. Wright, all of the witnesses against Mr. Turner were government collaborators who had great motive to say whatever the government told them to say.

Frankly, the best part of Mr. Hummel's close came when he finally allowed himself to get emotional about the facts leading up to former Sgt. Arneson's arrest.

And then, there were his final comments to the jury--probably the most entertaining final close that I've ever heard. "Mr. Pellicano refuses to insult your intelligence," he said of himself.

Bottom line is that only three people involved in the entertainment industry were charged in this case--despite the fact that almost all of Mr. Pellicano's clients were related to the entertainment business.

Daniel Saunders has begun his closing argument, starting with his statement that Pellicano's agency was "nothing more than a criminal organization operated by a well connected, well paid thug."

After a six year investigation, the F.B.I. spent the weekend scrambling to prevent a mistrial. I have exclusively reviewed the evidence they gathered.

At this time, the judge had denied without prejudice Mr. Hummel's motion on Mr. Arneson's behalf for a mistrial.

So, on Monday, the court noted that the witness will return and she will consider whether to declare a mistrial.

Mr. Saunders didn't anticipate that Mr. Kachikian, a seemingly nerdy and anti-social man, with his Birkenstocks, bald head and 1980s attire, would be such an effective witness.

Braun also went after the government's witness, Tarita Virute. As you probably don't recall at this point, Ms. Virtue was a one-woman Pellicano-bashing machine when she took the stand for the government.

The day ended with some of the biggest news of the trial, Anthony Pellicano will not testify in his own defense.

If the judge wasn't resting her cheek on her hand all the time, I'm sure her head would come crashing down on the bench.

After Mr. Cestero got to Greenberg Glusker he recalled that Fields, who represented Brad Grey in the Bo Zenga litigation, hired Pellicano.

Pellicano started off this morning's session with a brief comment, noting that he no longer wished to cross-examine F.B.I. Agent Stan Ornellas because he "no longer has any belief in the fairness of the trial."

"Did Mr. Ovitz pay Mr. Pellicano money?" asked Mr. Lally, clearly certain of Mr. Ornellas' answer. "Yes. He paid via check through a law firm and also via cash," replied Agent Ornellas.

Right now, we're busy listening to a parade of former colleagues of Mr. Arneson's who are testifying to what a.) what a good officer he was and b.) ho...

The day started off with a not-so-surprising announcement. While the other defense attorneys struggled to keep on their game faces, Mr. Pellicano announced his intention to testify in his own defense.

The jury will not get to hear any testimony from Mr. Fields on anything related to Mr. Pellicano's alleged wiretapping on behalf of many of Mr. Fields' clients.

The jury is off tomorrow and the court will be dealing with jury instructions. And then on Friday, Mr. Ornellas will re-take the stand and Mr. Hummel is expected to call Bert Fields.

Seemingly still pumped from destroying Mr. Arneson's credibility on the stand, Mr. Saunders made the mistake of loudly telling Mr. Hummel that he was ...

Mr. Saunders showed exhibit after exhibit of runs Mr. Arneson had made for Mr. Pellicano involving Anita Busch, Bernard Weinraub, Jude Green, Keith Carradine and just about everyone else.

So, the Judge wasn't buying it... She said that she was willing to give a curative instruction to the jury about this whole matter, but that there would be no mistrial.