My compendious compiler Jon Lippitt tagged several of my tweets under ‘humorous’: not all these make sense (you had to be here) but as the trial heads to the serious part of sentencing tomorrow. time for some light relief.
| Wednesday 30 October 2013 | ||
| The Prosecution Opening Statement | ||
| The Prosecution Case on Phone Hacking | ||
| “I’m sorry if it’s tedious…” Edis on introductory process. Justice Saunders “I never intended or implied it was” | ||
| Tuesday 12 November 2013 | ||
| Timeline – Lord Frederick Windsor | ||
| Giving evidence – Operation Weeting Detective | ||
| CORRECTION: it was “Everyone’s Talking at Me” by Harry Nilsson from Midnight Cowboy that interrupted the trial, Saunders QC for C Brooks | ||
| Wednesday 13 November 2013 | ||
| Timeline – Calum Best and Laura Hogan | ||
| Counsel for Andy Coulson cross examines Calum Best | ||
| Langdale: “Appearances in the paper can lead to TV appearance and therefore earning money… running into thousands rather than hundreds” | ||
| Langdale: “You are someone who tended to spend what money you had rather than investing it?” Best: “You could say that.” Laughter | ||
| The NOTW article is about Calum’s Best’s sexual encounter the night before the memorial service with Lorna Hogan | ||
| 16th April 2006 NOTW printed ‘I’m Having Calum Best’s Baby’ by Chris Tate about Hogan’s pregnancy. | ||
| Justice Saunders to Langdale: “I don’t think you’ll get a job as Headline writer at NOTW. Langdale: “Thank goodness for that.” | ||
| Timeline – Jude Law, Sienna Miller and Jade Schmidt | ||
| Counsel for Rebekah Brooks cross examines DC Hargreaves | ||
| Saunders: “No more live witnesses this afternoon, that’s right?” Bryant Heron: “Police officers” Saunders: “Not suggesting they’re not alive | ||
| Wednesday 20 November 2013 | ||
| Witness – Barney Monahan (qualified solicitor and legal advisor to the NOTW) | ||
| Counsel for Ian Edmondson cross examines Barney Monahan | ||
| “The importance of the lawyer cannot be overstated,” says Bennett Jenkins. “Coming from a lawyer….” jokes Justice Saunders #hackingtrial | ||
| Tuesday 26 November 2013 | ||
| Witness – Jo Manoukian | ||
| Mr Justice Sauders: “Very modest.” | ||
| Jo Manoukian confirms lunch took place in private and intimate part of the house, the family room, around a modest style table | ||
| Saunders causes some hilarity in court in reference to Jo Manoukian’s eight seater dinner table “Very modest” | ||
| Thursday 5 December 2013 | ||
| Witness – Operation Elveden Detective DC Briddon | ||
| Prosecution Counsel questions DC Briddon | ||
| Saunders apologises “for waking everyone up” as he queries missing page | ||
| Monday 9 December 2013 | ||
| Witness – Brigadier John Donnelly (Director of Army Personnel Services) | ||
| Counsel for Rebekah Brooks cross examines Brigadier Donnelly | ||
| “I understand the difference between the public interest and the interest to the public,” says Connelly. Saunders replies… 1/2 | ||
| Saunders to Brigadier Donnelly: “I wish you would explain it to me sometime.” Laughter from court | ||
| Tuesday 10 December 2013 | ||
| Timeline – Jordan-Barber | ||
| Counsel for Rebekah Brooks cross examines DC Briddon | ||
| Laidlaw refers Justice Saunders’ statement the Birmingham Post is a published PM. “I wouldn’t want you to rely on me,” says Saunders | ||
| Witness – Michelle Light (Head of telephony at the Royal Household) | ||
| Counsel for Clive Goodman cross examines Michelle Light | ||
| Loosely bound, copies of the ITD are given to judge, witness and jury on request of Goodman’s counsel, Mr Spens | ||
| Saunders points out entries in the directories have some interesting titles such as ‘The Royal Pastry’ | ||
| Witness – Michael Godfrey (Former Metropolitan Police Officer) | ||
| Counsel for Clive Goodman cross examines Michael Godfrey | ||
| Godfrey when asked about Green Books. “There were many Green books. Sorry I didn’t mean to be facetious.” “Well you managed!” jokes Saunders | ||
| Thursday 19 December 2013 | ||
| The Prosecution Case Continues | ||
| Some Filing work for the Jury | ||
| Rebecca Chalkley, counsel for the crown, is now handing out dividers to the jury and new schedules | ||
| Saunders asks jury: “Are you happy?” Slight pause “Not generally…. But with what you’ve just done” Laughter in court | ||
| Prosecution Evidence on Arrests | ||
| Rebekah Brooks Prepared Statement on Misconduct | ||
| Saunders explains trial is running between 2 or 3 weeks behind but like trains hope to catch up | ||
| “If you feel like being ill this winter, this break might be a good time, so avail yourself of that,” Saunders says to Jury before Christmas | ||
| Monday 6 January 2014 | ||
| The Prosecution Case Continues | ||
| The Trial Resumes after the Christmas Break | ||
| The jury return to court 12 after a two week break from #hackingtrial Wonder if they followed Justice Saunders suggestion before Christmas | ||
| Saunders said back before the break: “if you decided to be ill, now would be a good time to avail yourself” – or words to that effect | ||
| Tuesday 7 January 2014 | ||
| The Prosecution Case Continues | ||
| Further Prosecution questions to Nick Mays | ||
| “Ten minute break while we find the next witness,” says Saunders to Jury at Court 12 | ||
| Wednesday 8 January 2014 | ||
| Witness – Gary Keegan (Husband of Deborah Keegan – PA to Rebekah Brooks) | ||
| Counsel for Cheryl Carter cross examines Gary Keegan | ||
| Keegan is shown the NI archive boxes and confirms they were the ones he picked up in 2011. He can’t remember returning the trolley | ||
| Of Keegan’s failure to return the trolley to archives, Justice Saunders jokes “We’ll need a special verdict on that.” | ||
| Thursday 9 January 2014 | ||
| Witness – Deborah Keegan (Former Personal Assistant to Rebekah Brooks) | ||
| Counsel for Rebekah Brooks cross examines Deborah Keegan | ||
| Saunders asks Laidlaw if he minds further questions to Keegan: “I might mind, my lord, but I wouldn’t dream of stopping you.” Laughter | ||
| Laidlaw hands out two kinds of notebooks: a reporter’s notebook: roughly A5, and a larger A4 foolscap notebook | ||
| Laidlaw then suggests to Keegan that Brooks did not use either of those kind of notebooks “habitually”. | ||
| “I think we feel a question coming on?” suggests Saunders to Laidlaw. | ||
| Witness – Jane Viner (Facilities Manager at News International) | ||
| Prosecution Counsel questions Jane Viner | ||
| “If you’ve got any spare time can you fix the air condition here?” jokes Saunders to Viner. | ||
| Monday 13 January 2014 | ||
| Witness – Jane Viner (Facilities Manager at News International) | ||
| Counsel for Mark Hanna cross examines Jane Viner | ||
| William Clegg, counsel for Hanna, makes his first appearance: “This is my first question… so my questioning skills may be a little rusty” | ||
| . . . . | ||
| “The rust isn’t showing too much at the moment,” says Saunders of Clegg’s re-examination of Jane Viner, head of facilities at NI | ||
| Wednesday 15 January 2014 | ||
| Witness – Dave Cutts (Mobile phone network expert witness) | ||
| Counsel for Mark Hanna cross examines Dave Cutts | ||
| Clegg for Hanna asks about 9.20 a.m. call in Jubilee Barn; “Another mistake?” Saunders: “Just say, yes.” | ||
| Witness – Fernando Nascimento (Cleaner at Chelsea Harbour) | ||
| Prosecution Counsel questions Fernando Nascimento through an interpreter | ||
| Bryant Heron shows Nascimento’s statement from 18/07/11 and asks him if his memory would have been fresher then. He agrees. | ||
| Bryant Heron asks the judge for leave to refer Nascimento to his original statement: interpreter locates Portuguese version | ||
| Nascimento is asked if the statement refreshes his memory which bag he opened. No. “That was worth it,” jokes Saunders. | ||
| Counsel for Charlie Brooks cross examines Fernando Nascimento | ||
| “I don’t understand English,” says Nascimento. “There wasn’t much writing on the magazine,” says Saunders. | ||
| Monday 20 January 2014 | ||
| Witness – Glen Jagger (Security Operations Manager for News International) | ||
| Counsel for Mark Hanna cross examines Glen Jagger | ||
| One letter in blue ink, suggests Clegg, is clearly unhinged. “If you write in blue ink, that means you’re a nutter?” asks Saunders. | ||
| Witness – Sgt Robert McDonald (Attended Chelsea Harbour after Bin Bag find) | ||
| Prosecution Counsel questions Sgt McDonald | ||
| The police officer identifies the laptop bag “very like the one in the picture” jokes Justice Saunders. | ||
| Witness – DC Alan Pritchard (Operation Weeting Detective) | ||
| Counsel for Mark Hanna cross examines DC Alan Pritchard | ||
| Bryant Heron says “I’ve run out of evidence slightly”: “We forgive you,” replies Justice Saunders at the #hackingtrial. | ||
| Wednesday 22 January 2014 | ||
| The Prosecution Case Continues | ||
| Fire – False Alarm | ||
| “You’ll be happy to know we worked through the non-fire,” Justice Saunders tells the jury. DC Alan Pritchard recalled to witness box. | ||
| Witness – DS John Massey (Operation Sasha Detective) | ||
| Counsel for Rebekah Brooks cross examines DS Massey | ||
| Laidlaw points to a crate pushed into doors of Court 12 by Kingsley Napley staff: 8 or so of those big file boxes given to Brooks’ lawyers | ||
| Laidlaw points to Ms Connell “a lady dressed in black” Saunders points out “they’re all dressed in black”. Laughter. | ||
| Thursday 23 January 2014 | ||
| Witness – DS Hayley Broom (Operation Sasha Detective) | ||
| Counsel for Charlie Brooks cross examines DS Hayley Broom | ||
| “When you think you drop your voice,” says Justice Saunders to DS Broom: “Can you think more loudly?” DS Broom laughs and says she will | ||
| Friday 24 January 2014 | ||
| Witness – Tajvinder Singh Atwal (Forensic Computer Analyst) | ||
| Prosecution Counsel questions Tajvinder Singh Atwal | ||
| “They’re you’re best friends,” jokes Saunders of Computer expert Atwal’s enthusiastic description of the information contained in routers. | ||
| Wednesday 29 January 2014 | ||
| The Prosecution Case Continues | ||
| Counsel for Andy Coulson questions Evans on Hacking | ||
| Hard copies instantly handed to Evans and jury. Saunders jokes “We would have finished the trial if things had appeared as quickly as that” | ||
| Thursday 30 January 2014 | ||
| The Prosecution Case Continues | ||
| Evans says he wanted to get caught | ||
| “I put it to you that nothing of any significance happened that Tuesday,” says Langdale. “Bring it on,” says Evans. | ||
| “Let’s bring it on at five past two,” says Saunders. | ||
| Monday 3 February 2014 | ||
| Witness – Dan Evans returns to the stand | ||
| Counsel for Andy Coulson has more cross examination for Dan Evans | ||
| [PJ] “Eva Green played Vespa Lind and she was excellent in the role,” says Evans. “We don’t need a film critique, “says Saunders. | ||
| Thursday 20 February 2014 | ||
| Rebekah Brooks Career at News Group Newspapers | ||
| Rebekah Brooks joins News Group | ||
| On redactions “They don’t want you to know how much you were paid in 1989,” jokes Justice Saunders. Brooks says “Probably not v much” | ||
| Rebekah Brooks as Editor of the News of the World | ||
| Rebekah Brooks appointed Editor of the News of the World | ||
| “I’m sure someone else can take over perfectly adequately,” jokes Saunders when Laidlaw’s phone goes off in court 12. Laughter. | ||
| Laidlaw explains what will happen tomorrow: Justice Saunders says “You can leave it as a suprise. We don’t need the advance billing.” | ||
| Friday 21 February 2014 | ||
| Rebekah Brooks questioned on Sarah’s Law | ||
| Brooks explains the history of the Sarah’s Law Campaign | ||
| “Not all judges” jokes Brooks back to Justice Saunders about her hard hitting criticism of judges in NOTW editorial | ||
| Rebekah Brooks Contract and Responsibilities at News of the World | ||
| More questions on Glen Mulcaire | ||
| “For those not reading the document the mind must boggle,” jokes Justice Saunders of some NOTW headline involving the Pope. | ||
| More Aspects of Brooks Editorship | ||
| More detail on Budgets | ||
| “Mr Mahmoud is he still in operation,” asks Saunders. “Should we be looking for a Fake Sheikh somewhere?” Brooks says yes. | ||
| Tuesday 25 February 2014 | ||
| Rebekah Brooks question on the Hacking of Milly Dowlers Phone | ||
| Shocked at the hacking of Milly Dowlers phone | ||
| “You’re both doing fine,” says Justice Saunders in response to Brooks’ apology for not being clear. | ||
| Run through of the Milly Dowler Timeline | ||
| “Well spotted again,” says Justice Saunders of misattributed page noticed by the jury at the #hackingtrail | ||
| Wednesday 26 February 2014 | ||
| Rebekah Brooks Defence Continues on Count 1 – Phone Hacking | ||
| David Blunkett story | ||
| “Hopefully we’ll be able to recycle everything and turn them into trees again,” says Justice Saunders of mounting bundles at #hackingtrial | ||
| Thursday 27 February 2014 | ||
| Rebekah Brooks Defence Continues on Count 5 – Illegal Payments | ||
| Court matters and more evidence provided to Jury | ||
| A rustling of paper as a new tab is inserted by Jonathan Laidlaw, QC, counsel for Brooks, into the jury bundle | ||
| “I shouldn’t bother to tidy up,” says Justice Saunders of these bundles: “Forlorn hope” | ||
| “This is tempting providence but it’s remarkable no water has been knocked over yet” says Saunders. “Usually the judge who knocks over water | ||
| Books Questioned on her Editorship of The Sun | ||
| Brooks admits mistakes | ||
| “You asked me to think of all the things I got wrong,” says Brooks. “Odd thing to ask of a client,” says Saunders. “Just giving balance” | ||
| Count 5 – Conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office | ||
| Payments to MOD Offocials | ||
| Laidlaw says 34 articles in Sun till 13/11/06 Jordan-Barber sourced piece about intelligence officer. Brooks was off to Australia. | ||
| “I’m beginning to get the impression you were never there,” jokes Justice Saunders. | ||
| “What would we have done without post-its, and junior barristers,” says Saunders of a note about Jordan-Barber’s maternity leave. | ||
| Tuesday 4 March 2014 | ||
| Rebekah Brooks Cross Examined by other Defence Councel | ||
| Brooks questioned by Jonathan Caplan QC QC – Counsel for Stuart Kuttner | ||
| Previous career in Evening News etc. cited. Brooks says she’s known Kuttner since 1990 “mutual respect for each other…” | ||
| “He’s more than old enough to be your father,” says Caplan. “Please let’s not go there,” says Justice Saunders. | ||
| Monday 10 March 2014 | ||
| Rebekah Brooks Cross Examination continues on Count 5 – Illegal Payments | ||
| Prince William Bond Girl picture | ||
| Saunders explains why he’s amused: “I’m just smiling about twice wearing Bikini” | ||
| Tuesday 25 March 2014 | ||
| Defendant Cheryl Carter takes the Witness Stand | ||
| Carter becomes Brook’s PA | ||
| “Do you want an Oscar for this?” jokes Saunders of Burke’s mock surprise over Ross Kemp’s fame. | ||
| Brooks becomes CEO of News International | ||
| Carter and her counsel Burke fill a sample archive box with her beauty clippings; “Here’s one I prepared earlier” jokes Justice Saunders | ||
| “I think this going to live on in my nightmares,” says Justice Saunders of the Kafkaesque NI filing system. | ||
| Wednesday 26 March 2014 | ||
| Cheryl Carter’s Defence Continues | ||
| Carter’s Last Day | ||
| Carter apologises and laughs for nearly falling off her chair in the witness box. “I’m composed now” | ||
| Friday 28 March 2014 | ||
| The Defence of Charlie Brooks Begins | ||
| Charlie Brooks questioned on his background | ||
| Justice Saunders intervenes in cryotherapy explanation: “I’m really sorry to stop you… but did it work” Charlie Brooks says “No” | ||
| Closure of the News of the World | ||
| Laidlaw intervenes saying the clock for the recording of the trial has stopped. Justice Saunders says plenty of people keeping record | ||
| Tuesday 1 April 2014 | ||
| The Cross Examination of Charlie Brooks by the Crown Continues | ||
| The events of the day of Rebekah Brooks arrest | ||
| Charlie can’t remember how long at lawyers “I’ll go with his Lordship and say half an hour”. Saunders: “I’m going to regret saying anything” | ||
| “You credit me with too much thought” says Charlie to Justice Saunders about getting his briefcases back on Sunday 17/07/11 | ||
| The Defence of Mark Hanna Begins | ||
| Security Activity of July 2011 | ||
| “Some mention of football to come later” says Clegg. “Look forward to that,” says Justice Saunders. Five minute break. | ||
| Friday 4 April 2014 | ||
| Mark Hanna’s Defence continues with Character Witnesses | ||
| Marva Ingram Cross Examined by the Prosecution | ||
| “I’m not allowed to lead you obviously,” says Clegg. “You’re getting the hang of the rules” jokes Justice Saunders. | ||
| Monday 7 April 2014 | ||
| Defence Witnesses for Mark Hanna | ||
| The Prosecution cross-examine Will Smith | ||
| Through his cross examination, Anthony Edis establishes it took 10 mins to prepare Pizza. Saunders says “It will never be the same for me” | ||
| Tuesday 8 April 2014 | ||
| Defence Admissions for Mark Hanna | ||
| Counsel for Hanna reads admissions | ||
| Admissions concede that Jorsling ordered a pizza took 606 sec to cook (Clegg erroneously said 6006 secs – Saunders said “overcooked”) | ||
| Wednesday 16 April 2014 | ||
| The Defence of Andy Coulson Continues | ||
| Coulson questioned on Charles Clarke | ||
| “I don’t want anyone to think I’m shirking” jokes Saunders before the ten minute break. | ||
| Wednesday 23 April 2014 | ||
| The Defence of Andy Coulson Continues | ||
| Taped conversations between Coulson and Goodman | ||
| Justice Saunders points out, to some hilarity in court, William Clegg QC has fallen off his chair. | ||
| Monday 28 April 2014 | ||
| The Cross-Examination of Andy Coulson Continues | ||
| The Charles Clarke Story | ||
| Justice Saunders was about to adjourn. But a juror reminds him today we’re sitting till 5pm | ||
| Tuesday 29 April 2014 | ||
| Further Cross-Examination of Andy Coulson | ||
| Coulson’s phone rings in the dock | ||
| Saunders says “you could stamp on it.” Brooks jokes “It’s an iPhone I can’t work it” – court erupts in laughter (you had to be there) | ||
| BREAKING: Justice Saunders suggesting ‘stamping’ on a ringing phone. Brooks jokes: “It’s an iPhone I can’t work it” #hackingtrial | ||
| Wednesday 30 April 2014 | ||
| Wednesday 7 May 2014 | ||
The Criminal Media Nexus 