FBI agent concludes direct examination (August 7, 2007)
Prosecutor Jim Jacks stood behind the wooden podium in the center of the courtroom much of Tuesday, August 7, 2007 as he concluded the seven-day direct examination of FBI agent Lara Burns. As he leaned both arms on the podium, Jacks began sounding much like an aged ceiling fan in motion as he asked Burns about more than a dozen wiretapped phone calls. The jury scrolled their eyes down the screens as they read the translated transcripts of the conversations.
Agent testifies 6th day (August 6, 2007)
More than a dozen tapped phone conversations filled the chili courtroom air on Monday, August 6, 2007. Some of the now 15-member jury devoted their full attention to reading the translated transcripts. Other jurors, on the other hand, listened like uneager 7th graders with their loud sighs, closed eyes and constant yawns. It was obvious to many that the wiretapped calls were anything but appealing.
Agent testifies 5th day (August 2, 2007)
The now 16-member jury was more attentive on Thursday, August 2, 2007. With less fidgeting and mid-day snoozes, more eyes were open and looking at the documents that the United States government lawyers displayed on screens. Some eyes even moved toward U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish, who overruled almost all of the defense teams’ objections to admitting the irrelevant exhibits presented by the government. Yet again, prosecutor Jim Jacks used his desperate mechanism of reiteration to get messages across to the jury.
Agent testifies 4th day (August 1, 2007)
Repetition has been one of the United States government’s strongest tools, especially on Wednesday, August 1, 2007. As U.S. government lawyer Jim Jacks continued a third day of direct examination with FBI agent Lara Burns, the jurors struggled to stay awake. Some looked up at the ceiling or took brief naps, while others stared at their nails or rocked their chairs back and fourth. But like a pair of Energizer Bunnies, Jacks and Burns kept on going and going and going.
A day of video evidence (July 31, 2007)
All eyes were on the screen Tuesday, July 31, 2007 as government lawyers played more than a dozen clips throughout the day. Echoing off the high courtroom walls were the sounds of Palestinian nasheed — traditional Arabic songs that express the continuing oppression that Palestinians face. The many sights included children throwing rocks at armed Israeli soldiers and protesters waving Palestinian flags. An obvious smell of desperation was also present in the courtroom. That is, what many thought was the government’s failed attempt to show that the Holy Land Foundation was a supporter of violence.
