DAY 4 October 29, 2002 Day 4: Court Drawings!

by Billy "T-Bone" Tsangares

I got out pretty early this morning but spent way too much time arguing with my wife about whether or not I love Winona more than her. This is ridiculous. I barely even know Winona. Sure we've exchanged glances from across a crowded courtroom but I think she just likes my hat. After the bailiff had me remove it, Winona stopped looking in my direction so I'm pretty sure it was the hat. Plus I've known my wife for years and it's silly to think I would just pick up and abandon her because Winona Ryder might think I'm cute and want to date the guy who makes her favorite t-shirt.

Finally after all the arguing and false promises with the old lady, I made it to Beverly Hills before things were supposed to get going at 10 a.m. There was no parking in the garage so I got worried that there would be no seats inside the courtroom. Was today the big day? Day 4 when the video is half played and the accusations are getting juicy? Since I was early, I spent a little time watching a judge sentence a guy in a murder trial and it made me reflect on how wonderful our judicial system is despite the witchhunt that is the Winona Ryder Trial.

Here's basically what happened today: Winona and her attorney entered the courtroom first, followed by the public and lastly the journalist. Winona was wearing a brown sweater with a below the knee dress and classic black high heel shoes, very motherly and sedate. Daddy likey. The prosecutor was wearing a black blazer with a bright green blouse and had her hair in a bun. There isn't much negative banter between the two attorneys; in fact they seem rather chummy. Maybe they are dating on the side. After some brief time in the chambers the attorneys came out from the back room followed by the judge. The prosecutor took her position next to the TV and the jury was led in. The witness took the stand and seemed ready to get his high-tech pointer out and wave it towards the jury as if to prove that Winona was guilty. His demeanor was positive to the point of aggressive. It was as though he was leading the prosecutor into the questions. They worked well together. Winona often winced when he pointed out certain items or said that she said certain things.

The video was played often with long shots of the curtain or doorway and there was no way to tell what was going on behind the area. Often the security guards, who were referred during the trial as the "Asset Protection," were scurrying around on the tape acting like shoppers and trying to brush past Ms. Ryder to see what was inside her bags. There were several interactions with Ms. Ryder and the sales staff and twice Ms. Ryder was given receipts for merchandise and handed bags. Several items of merchandise were put into evidence that had holes cut in them and the witness volunteered and approached the jury to make sure that they could see the holes. There was a pair of scissors in a plastic bag that were childlike. I don't really think that they could fit Winona's hand. I thought that maybe this was going to be the defense's big guns -- "if the scissors don't fit, you must acquit". Then I remembered most lawyers aren't that good at rhyming. I'm not sure this would be such a great strategy, since Winona has the soft, tiny alabaster hands of a goddess. This is, of course, only my opinion and is nowhere reflected on the court record.

Day 4: Court Drawings!

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