We’re continuing our coverage this afternoon from Judge Charlaine Olmedo’s courtroom, where we’re acting as pool reporter during the jury selection phase of Danny Masterson’s retrial.
What follows is the same report we sent out to reporters who had asked to receive a copy…
We're in the courtroom waiting to bring in the fourth and final set of prospective jurors.
Judge Olmedo says that Juror 128 has a doctor's note saying he can't do jury service because he can't wear shoes.
Judge Olmedo: "In 20 years on the bench that is the first time I've seen that particular excuse."
She asks the clerk about it, and he did confirm that the juror actually was wearing "very nice shoes" this morning.
Judge Olmedo: "That's it, he's not being excused."
She asked the clerk, Robert, why he remembered the shoes.
Robert: "They looked like soft leather shoes that I would like to wear."
Everyone enjoyed this response very much.
Judge Olmedo also has a question for the defense.
Judge Olmedo: "Will Ms. Goldstein be joining you, at all?"
Holley: "I don't think so."
(During the first trial, the defense team was Philip Cohen and Karen Goldstein. Ms. Goldstein has been replaced this time, apparently, by Ms. Holley, who did not attend the first trial.)
The fourth and final set of jurors are brought into the courtroom. They are sworn in.
Cohen introduces Masterson, who says "Good afternoon."
Judge Olmedo goes through the usual description of jury service and what is expected of them, to speak clearly for the court reporter, etc.
Now the usual admonitions about not discussing the case, etc.
It is important that you fill out the questionnaire as completely and honestly as possible, etc.
She sends them out into the hallway to fill out their questionnaires.
The attorneys, meanwhile, are going through results of the morning set of questionnaires.
Masterson asks to look at the list of potential jurors' names from yesterday, saying that he might have recognized a couple of people. Judge Olmedo allows him to see the lists, but says he can't copy them down.
And that's it for the day.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, should be a much longer and more involved day as Judge Olmedo begins quizzing individual jurors about their questionnaire responses.
ADDITIONAL
The attorneys go back to the judge's chambers.
They come out and Judge Olmedo is back on the bench.
Judge Olmedo: We just came from chambers. It was brought to my attention by Ms. Holley and Mr. Cohen that our discussion at the sidebar earlier, some of the contents was disseminated via..
Holley: Mr. Ortega's blog
(This is in regards to our story earlier today when we broke the news about the grand jury investigation into Scientology being “ongoing.”)
Judge Olmedo: Authored by Mr. Ortega. And Mr. Ortega is present. I just want to admonish you Mr. Ortega that if we are at sidebar, please don't publish it. Sometimes voices carry. But they are not meant for public dissemination. (To the defense attorneys) That's you wanted me to say? (They agree.) People, you are in agreement?
Mueller: Yes
Judge Olmedo: Anything else on the record? Mr. Ortega, you are under no obligation to say anything, but you can if you want to.
Ortega: No thank you, your honor.
Judge Olmedo: Thank you, we will be in recess until tomorrow morning.
Thank you for reading today’s story here at Substack. For the full picture of what’s happening today in the world of Scientology, please join the conversation at tonyortega.org, where we’ve been reporting daily on David Miscavige’s cabal since 2012. There you’ll find additional stories, and our popular regular daily features:
Source Code: Actual things founder L. Ron Hubbard said on this date in history
Avast, Ye Mateys: Snapshots from Scientology’s years at sea
Overheard in the Freezone: Indie Hubbardism, one thought at a time
Past is Prologue: From this week in history at alt.religion.scientology
Random Howdy: Your daily dose of the Captain
Here’s the link to today’s post at tonyortega.org
And whatever you do, subscribe to this Substack so you get our breaking stories and daily features right to your email inbox every morning.
Paid subscribers get access to two special podcast series every week…
Up the Bridge: A weekly journey through Scientology’s actual “technology”
Group Therapy: Our round table of rowdy regulars on the week’s news
Ah, Tony what a joy it is to be reading your reporting again! It’s like a serialized novel. Can’t wait for the next installment. xoxo
I love the nuances of the little things that happen in court. It’s lovely to feel like I am there, in a way.