"The Velvet Hammer" Blog — Karen Koehler

Trial Diary Day 6: McNamara v. Nessl civil murder case

We had trial day 5 on Friday – a day when we should have been able to work on other cases or prep for trial. From 9 to 3:45. Furhad stayed with JHB in Grant County but I had driven home. At least trial for me mercifully was via Webex in the comfort of lululemon with nala at my side. It was nothing but aggravating and did not deserve its own trial diary entry with one notable exception.

In this era of being respectful of other people’s pronouns, the court, JHB and Furhad all decided to not be able to know how to address me.

trialKaren KoehlerMay 11, 2022trial diaries, covid trials

Trial Diary Day 4: McNamara v. Nessl civil murder case

m sitting in a room that is 8 x 6 ‘. Lynette the jury coordinator let me in. My own private cubicle to stay during the lunch hour. The desk is a cabinet with drawers. I love it all.

We started at 11 this morning because the judge had a conflict. One hour to argue. One hour to get frustrated arguing about the same three blasted depositions.

JHB is all over the place. Yet am not fooled. He is persistent and dogged and even if he’s wrong that is his schtick.

trialKaren KoehlerMay 4, 2022trial diaries, covid trials, wrongful death

Trial Diary Day 3: McNamara v. Nessl civil murder case

The ironing board is out. First time have used one for anything but dinner napkins in decades. Have no choice. The black jumpsuit am going to wear is super wrinkled. Turn it inside out and press. Not perfect but it will do. Throw on with white jacket. Add puffy coat. Walk out the hotel door and get hit with a blast of frigid wind that about turns my hair straight.

trialKaren KoehlerMay 3, 2022trial diaries, covid trials

Trial Diary Day 2: McNamara v. Nessl civil murder case

Grant County has a beautiful old courthouse façade set back on a majestic green lawn. But it is not where superior court is. No. If you enter via those pretty portals you have a winding path to follow. First you have to walk to the end of the hall. Down the stairs. Go outside. Across a cement patio. To a separate soulless block of a building with no windows. That is where we are trying cases. And so I enter through that ugly back entrance properly today.

trialKaren KoehlerMay 2, 2022trial diaries, covid trials

Trial Diary Day 1: McNamara v. Nessl civil murder case

March 7, 2022

Trial Day 1

Wake up in gray hotel room. There’s a text from Furhad - our first year associate who will help me in trial. He’s going to the courthouse and leaving at 8.

Smile. The doors won’t be open then but okay. Send him text – telling him so and that I’ll be there at 8:45.

trialKaren KoehlerApril 30, 2022trial diaries

“The Velvet Hammer” Blog

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