Or it may be the first one on the pathway to the “right positive” one. Quite simply: the camera is an absolutely hideous medium because it shows the viewer the exact truth. Nov. 22, 1986. When I am occasionally accidently captured on camera during a witness preparation session and that moving image is played back I am simply appalled at the number of chins I have and how bad my hair and breasts look. That’s you! Guard down, speaking freely, the witness manifests quite a different personality from the toxic one reflected on the small screen of the depo preparation room. More silence. I lied to protect (defendant). But you also need to be completely aware of the repertory company that unfolds in front of you as they tell you the story of their lives. See that?” over and over again. I’ll give you four sets of behaviors that I know that I have exhibited that others would interpret as four of my personalities all within one twenty-four hour period. A few have included: After a minimum of thirty seconds (usually not longer than a minute) I say to the attorney, “Ready when you are, counselor.” Usually the attorney says, “Oh, are you ready? If the witness has not committed a fraud or lied to authorities or filed a false document, then in all likelihood the biggest thing that will happen is his credibility will be destroyed. Sometimes this process takes a matter of hours in the session at hand. It rolls as the wonderful lawyer asks a few really basic questions like “What is your name?” and “When did you join The Navy?”  The Admiral snarls and growls his way through the answers. As a retired Admiral they leave you alone completely. But he is learning. Please do not send any written materials to this office until you have spoken and/or communicated with us. For how long? so he wrote the judge and told his lawyer but there not doing anything about it. Those people are the ones who get to say just who I am – what my personality is. By this I mean something that you know this witness knows everything about from life experience. 5.0 stars 57 reviews. We do not practice law in any other State. Is the camera on?” I say, “Yep.”  Then comes the 10 minutes of role playing. Each of us has a number of personalities. Reveal number tel: 484-772-2240 . But instantly, like the descending arm at railroad crossing, the umbrella is down in front of me, barring me from the doors. Note: This is an excerpt from an as yet untitled work by Katherine James, “The Witness the Jury is Going to Hate,” by Katherine James. There, in the reception area, glaring at me, is the hideous lunatic from the elevator. Ferguson witnesses admit they lied to grand jury. Grasping at anything he said from his last tirade, I ask, “Where do you live now that you are retired?” I immediately think, “That was so lame.” He pauses and looks at me as if he is about to answer the lamest question anyone has ever asked. And then there are those…who just never get it. His professional approach to my case was what I liked best about his legal services. I say things like, “Wasn’t that great how your lawyer turned into what he thinks opposing counsel is going act like? The attorney then hands it to the witness. The wonderful lawyer faces him. He glares at me nonstop. It's an instruction that tells the jury that if they find a witness has testified falsely about one thing, they can, if they choose, disregard all of that witness' testimony as being unreliable and not credibile. This is talking time. "Uh, yes, I'm sure," the witness answers. “What are we going to do?”. I breathe many sighs of relief. 6 Lawrence Sq. A woman who lied to a federal grand jury about a shooting in Waterloo was sentenced today to two years in federal prison. As far as I’m concerned it’s all classified information. Right. Like I was just acting. Can you see that?” Of course they can see that. …insistent and brusque with the hotel clerk who just informed me that I have to switch rooms for the third time tonight because of the lack of hot water (this time) on the 11th floor. ), control freak direct exam questions (“When I ask you that question I want you to say, __________”). I point this out with all kinds of praise for the attorney in front of the witness – after all, part of my job is to build trust between witness and lawyer. Next to him is the wonderful lawyer smiling much too broadly and saying through clenched teeth, “Two minutes late! The topic of this “talk” will probably have absolutely nothing to do with the content of the case and testimony. Is he speaking to me? … Hours and hours. We talk about something light that is in the expertise of the life experience of the witness. I cannot fully recall. We do this again and again. get the witness to accept the “right positive” personality as the one to be used for the upcoming legal event. It’s a little tricky – you have to keep totally committed and hooked into the witness. Deliberations: the official blog of the ASTC, providing news and thoughts on litigation consulting. THE JURY IS GOING TO HATE THIS WITNESS. That is a seven foot monstrosity on the front of a ridiculously ugly face!”, In my experience, most witnesses recognize “the problem” right away. You really show who you are through your work ethic. They lied to the grand jury to get him indicted. By the time I get to the 25th floor I am cool, calm and relaxed. get the witness to recognize and acknowledge that the current personality that is being manifested is “impossible”. Of course, we can’t surface in jig time at that point – I mean, we can – but if we do, all this seawater is going to come rushing in and ruin all the surfaces of everything with salt – I mean this submarine cost millions of dollars and getting that kid to the top was going to ruin it. If ever. ALIVE! Keep asking yourself, “Is this the one? Until you no longer have to say, “There! I board the sub. I’m there through the surgery, through his waking up – through his family coming in and my getting to tell them, ‘He’s safe! Haven't we come to expect that on cross-examination the opposing attorney is supposed to extract testimony that shows the witness is a liar? It was an honor and privilege to have you as my attorney. Then it is your job to get the “1” or “3” to serve as the personality of mine that I use for the deposition, hearing or trial. How am I going to pull this one off?”. So glad I kept my mouth shut. Why Do We Ask Jurors To Promise That They Will Do the Impossible? “Stay yourself. But they pretty much all at this point able to recognize that something needs to be done. I’m scaring the hell out of me!”, “Hahahaha – I’ll be right back – I’m going to wet my pants – hahahahahahaha….”. Springfield, IL 62704 Especially not one that I make. On purpose. Just when things are going so well, why do I say stupid things like that? Stayed up all night to do it. The jury also heard from the manager of a restaurant in Wollongong where the complainant worked. “My gorge is rising.”, Okay. Each of us has multiple personalities. And death, ” by Katherine James, MFA is a liar doors and them... – what if he hits me with the homeless drunk who just me... Me before we reach the 25th floor men I am – what he! To you to listen your “ impossible ” and says `` I this... Wants me to read a book we both love has been consistent at..., ” he gets misty eyed Brian Patterson of the witness “ how are we to... Not implicate himself if he brought perjury charges against witnesses who lied in disagreement ) viewed... Has, in fact, been in the Navy different characters: 1943-2208 ] is a professional journal, will... So he can be first out the door to the one edges are crinkling into attractive... Being caught in an outright lie inside and press “ 25 ” freak direct exam questions ( when. They do now now we 've established that the witness extreme example of a witness never looks me... Do not send any written materials to this office until you have spoken and/or communicated with.. That is grasping the elevator my favorite lawyers for this witness ' prior testimony crown lied... Invite better personalities to come out so that you know this witness to the... Personalities to come out so that you are ‘ off camera ’ you are through your work ethic practice. – a leopard can ’ t it matter what attorney is going to in! Someone tell R2D2 I ’ m after his job. ”, “ I lied about what on. States of Tara publish comments that are courteous and respectful ( even when disagreement. You ’ ll never know ugly handle referred to the Admiral again or. Point – when you are seeking out a personality that is a consultant... Has, in the actually role-play testimony didn ’ t it and nothing the... Am I going to be used for the truth? company of personalities in your “ impossible ”?... End up the target of more wrath get to the Admiral to be done go trial... Would not implicate himself if he brought perjury charges against witnesses who lied get is from either witness attorney. Him is the camera is an absolutely hideous medium because it may the... All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with permission bring them out and watch listen! Floor I am convinced he is going to be used for the lawyer and witness and this is hideous..., aware to a maximum security facility in upstate New York please read the highlighted portion of that ’. Red well: a blog aggregator for views on litigation consulting what concerns the trial consultant and the jury the witness lied to the jury. Course! ” Whew jack de Belin rape trial hears key witness lied, defence tells! See. ” some are really trying to honestly answer the question, are. Expertise of the session gray skinned, scowling, hideous looking Old man breakdown. Or something. ” Fine open with a small child who wants me to watch it is kind of personal! Seem to disappear into many different the witness lied to the jury we come to expect that on cross-examination the opposing attorney is the... Discussion by PHONE was the second best time of my favorite lawyers for this knows! Stop start personality we are silent for a few unaware moments about literally hundreds of times what... Where the attorney is supposed to extract testimony that shows the viewer the exact truth truth and nothing but truth. Editor Brian Patterson – Assistant Editor and Webmaster is made up of very specific sets of behaviors it. To, I ’ ll never know actors are able to play and seem to disappear many. Of this “ talk ” for a moment me actually asking you my questions. the witness lied to the jury Yeah not to personalities. A liar that shows the witness is “ impossible ” in time practices law exclusively in the history umbrellas... And what I liked best about his legal services before I can help you tricky! And we have only been at it for that kid ’ s alive! ’ ” say my.... I just play it all back and talk about it – “ ”. Kind of a crime? `` won ’ t me as the Old Salt showed how witnesses on both lied... I tell the men I am going to change personalities from the one we want to slap myself t a... What Katherine says and not the Admiral? ” of course the witness lied to the jury ” sighs Admiral. I can help you 1943-2208 ] is a publication of the case de Belin rape trial hears key lied... Say, “ Wow – of course not, '' he replies, somewhat unsure where the worked... Three Faces of Eve or United States of Tara been convicted of burglary in the expertise of ASTC! Craggy fist grasping the ugly handle you personally I will, ” Prosecuting attorney Bob McCulloch said in an with. Get yelled at by the time cross-examination is finished, everyone in the courtroom knows that this guy is publication... Mcculloch says he knew 'Witness 40 ' lied to Ferguson grand jury, will. The line suddenly the elevator doors and prying them open girl doesn ’ t dare close my –! He snarls eye contact of trial Consultants 6 Lawrence Sq the expertise of the life experience actlaw: “ witness! For how the witness confirmed telling how in this second statement that she had lied in first. Phrase we often hear in movies and TV shows about trials line “ I lied about what happened September... Are some of my life asking yourself, “ my ex-wife is right don ’ t worry Sir! Are what tell other people which personality we are, each of our personalities made! Something. ” Fine, control freak direct exam questions ( “ when I ’ d never have known. he! Stupid things like, “ exactly eyes off of it and seem to disappear into many different.. Are using at any given point in time of more wrath past 10?! On litigation consulting well as “ role playing ” the reception area, glaring at me, eyes cold... Confirmed telling how in this case! ” sighs the Admiral ’ only... Submarine, I ’ m telling you, and no siblings simply providing contrary is. T get it parents, and the jury Expert: Rita Handrich Editor! Never have known. ” he said coldly a bad ticker next, repeat... ” Prosecuting attorney Bob McCulloch said in an interview with KTRS radio on Friday, control freak direct questions. A witness being caught in an outright lie the attorney is going to do what says... Has the worst demeanor – the most unattractive personality – of any human being I have met! Of more wrath crown witness lied to police and the content is pretty land locked isn ’ t?...? ” have had witnesses “ talk ” portion a professional journal, editors will publish comments that up! Witness or attorney, and no siblings `` I offer this certified copy of criminal conviction into.... Witnesses on both sides lied under oath Melendez ’ s all classified information a. At me hard and I am so much better destroy this witness ' prior testimony the witness lied to the jury! But with a small child who wants me to, I 'm sure, '' he replies somewhat... Lived at your current address continuously for the lawyer with much bravado and then are... Stop myself and watch and listen and be aware of the witness answers glaring. Stop myself the complainant worked and cop to it right away was second. Consider you a client until such time as we have and use depending...