Slow and Clumsy Prosecutors are Wearing Thin

I can't say I'm impressed with the state's presentation so far, and while Judge Ebert has been enormously accommodating, I think their slow and clumsy examination of witnesses and introduction of evidence is starting to wear thin.

After three full days of trial, the state has called a total of six witnesses and offered approximately 45 exhibits into evidence. The state's witness list includes over 40 potential witnesses, and I'm not sure they know who they’re going to call. And prosecutors have been surprised by some of the answers witness have given on direct, both yesterday and today.

I thought that lawyers weren't supposed to ask a question if they didn't already know the answer.

As concerned as this Judge is about wrapping the trial up in the estimated three week period, I don't understand why he continues to allow the prosecution to obtain testimony not directly related to the charges, and to introduce evidence that can not be properly identified.

Today's testimony of graphic artist Gina Ward, who worked for Jensen for two years in 1987 and has never met Sherry Schultz, was not relevant to the charges against Jensen and may have even helped his case by showing how campaign materials were produced by the caucuses twenty years ago.

And why on earth was it necessary to keep Eric Grant on the witness stand for four hours today when prosecutors planned to call three more graphic designers after him?It'll be interesting to see if the Judge starts to run a tighter ship when Lyndee Wall takes the stand Friday for her fifteen (hours) of fame.