Mon, AM: Originals of Stevens and Northrip Direct Testimonies Removed from Court Record
October 4, 2004 1:23 pm by Gene BorioThe unique method of taking and recording Direct Testimonies that is being used in this trial has created another glitch.
The most serious repercussion so far was today’s removal from the trial record of the 2 Direct Testimonies of Robert E. Northrip and A.J. Stevens, ie, the DTs originally submitted with answers written by DOJ.
This was fair, as the witnesses themselves were not accorded the opportunity to examine and approve or change the DTs before they were admitted. Procedures have now changed so the situation won’t recur.
However, in arguing for the DTs’ removal, Stevens’ lawyer cited an unnamed “Australian article,” and this blog, as evidence the original DTs were causing unforeseen damage by remaining in the court record.
The major Australian article I know about was the Sydney Morning Herald’s “The Smoking Gun,” which never mentioned Stevens’ testimony.
And this blog confined itself to the testimony as given by Stevens that day. I never said that Stevens changed his testimony “under withering” cross-examination”(!), but merely indicated that Stevens had made changes in the testimony, just as other witnesses–including Drs. Brandt and Samet– had.
The relevant section reads,
“Stevens was the General Counsel for Lorillard from 1969-98, and a senior advisor & consultant until 2001.
Schwind attempted to question Stevens about the changes to his Direct Testimony . . . .”
I hope this is the last misrepresentation of this blog that occurs.