Dear readers, I am sorry I have not updated this week. It has been an intense week.

As I have told you we had the DeChristopher case this week, the environmentalist who disrupted an auction. Well Monday was interesting. I got to the courthouse rather early so when I got there there were no demonstrations or anything. A couple of hours later there was a bunch of people in front of the courthouse singing, dancing, hoolahooping and generally just being there. The Jury selection process started in the afternoon and the courtroom was packed. Judge Benson said it was the first time onlookers came for the jury- selection because it is a very long and boring process... and eventually the environmentalist realized that and one by one they left.

One funny part of this is that Daryl Hannah (you know the actor) came all the way from wherever she lives just to be there for the jury-selection and then she wasn't there the rest of the week. I wonder what that flight cost the environment? I am not going to go in to detail about the case of who said what and who did what but it was interesting to see the turn-out and read the articles about it because I was in the middle of it all. Monday was probably the worst, when some people came down to the first floor of the courthouse they were met by a huge team of swat police with the helmets on and guns up. The rest of the week was more quiet.

I met both the prosecution and the defense attorneys and as it happens one of the defense attorneys (Ron Yengish) gave me a book, which I thought was very nice of him.

thursday was the last day of the trial, first was the jury instructions read and then the prosecution and defense gave their closing arguments. The Jyry sat and deliberated for about 5 hours and then the verdict came. He was charged with two counts and was found guilty on both. According to the statutes he could get not more than 5 years on each count which means 10 years prison. However, it is not very likely that he will get that much since he has no criminal record.

On friday I sat and talked with Michelle who is the PR attorney of the courthouse. We were discussing mediation and it really had me intrigued and interested in looking in to maybe doing something with that. While we sat there and had a nice time her phone rang and it was this man who had a suggestion on what Judge Benson should sentence DeChristopher to. Apparently people do not understand that sentencing is not like an auction where you can bid up the time for the defendant. It is funny to see that I, a non-american, student and not even in law, understand more of the legal system in America than some Americans...

The friday afternoon was spent by "the crew" went to the movies and saw Adjustment Bureau and had Belgian waffles in the sunshine. I think after a long and intense week of a high profile case such as this week one is deserving of some relax time.

ps if anyone wants to read about the case from the journalists view, just google Tim DeChristopher :)

Oh, I almost forgot! I bought tickets to Washington DC this week. I am leaving on March 17 and come back on March 29. You can not imagine how excited I am!!