The Libby Verdict: Inside The Courtroom
Just one more post on the Libby verdict. Promise. This comes from Deirdre Hester, CBS News producer in Washington. She sat through much of the trial, and offers this glimpse at the reading of the verdict. -- Ed.
The courtroom was extremely quiet and tense when the lawyers stood as the jury filed in. Ted Wells (Libby's lawyer) anxiously searched the jurors' faces for hints about their decision and looked disappointed when nobody returned his gaze. The Foreperson who read the verdict is a young woman who is an accountant/controller at Hogan and Hartson. The mood in the courtroom was very quiet and sober. Libby showed little emotion as the verdict was read. His wife seemed initially shaken and a man seated next to her put his arm around her. She cried a little but really pulled herself together.
The jury did not look happy. After the jury was polled, thanked for their service and dismissed,defense attorney Ted Wells said he will file a motion for a new trial. The judge sheduled sentencing for June 5 at 9:30a. Libby is not considered a flight risk and he remains free.
When the proceeding ended Libby's wife Harriet, (one tough cookie in my mind) walked over to the defense table and was hugged first by defense atty Bill Jeffress. Atty K.C. Maxwell patted her hand. She approached her husband with an angry look on her face and he leaned over and said something to her and they did not embrace. She then turned and gave Ted Wells a huge bearhug and said " I love you. I love you." Then she hugged Alex Bourelli.
Wells said to reporters they would come outside the courthouse and make a statement. A crowd of marshals were waiting outside the doors of the courtroom assisting the defense team and Libby in making their way past gathering spectators. The prosecution team hung back and did not show any signs of happiness or gloating.