The Patchwork of Suspicious Circumstances
The final session of the final day of the Wone trial featured some of the strongest argument yet, from both sides. David Schertler, for Dylan Ward, closed for the defense, and Rachel Carlson Lieber for the government’s rebuttal argument.
First, the earlier session with Connolly. He stated Zaborsky, “…didn’t have any...
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BREAKING:
The Wone trial officially ended at 4:59, Judge Leibovitz expects to issue her verdict Tuesday at 11am, pending any changes.
Wrap coming soon
3:15 Update – Who’s Under the Bus?
Bernie Grimm, for Joe Price, and Thomas Connolly for Victor Zaborsky have finished their statements. It was a study of contrasts.
Grimm focused only evidence tampering, in what...
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3:15pm Update: Adjournment
At 2:46pm, the government rested their case in US v. Price, Ward and Zaborsky.
This followed a 45 minute questioning of Dr. Lance Becker, by AUSA Glenn Kirschner. The defense passed on cross examination.
A full wrap to the day’s activities hits around 5:00pmET
1:15pm Update: The Long Lunch Break Edition
The balance of the morning...
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5:15pm Update: Adjournment
AUSA T. Patrick Martin had his day in court today and he seemed to have brought his “A Game.”
Martin’s cross of Najam brought into question the doctor’s experience outside a controlled clinical setting. We also learned that this was Najam’s very first time being qualified as an expert and testifying as one.
Full day’s wrap comes...
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Summer Heat, German Knives and Ninja Turtle Sandboxes
The trial began today promptly, as is Judge Leibovitz habit, at 9:45am with defense attorney Bernie Grimm advising the court that setting up a video Skype call for one of the defense experts was not an issue anymore. The witness would be on a plane and at...
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5:00pm Update: Adjournment
Defendant Dylan Ward’s mother, Diane, took the stand this afternoon and said the missing knife from her son’s cutlery set never was in DC and was in Tacoma all the time. Nervous and weeping on the stand, she actually produced two knives. One of them fit into the case. She says she...
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Rolling Back the Roll Back of the Clock
Dr. Jeff Smith was the sole defense witness today.
Associate professor of emergency medicine, director of clinical operations at George Washington University Hospital, teacher, author, lecturer, board certified in emergency and internal medicine…you can see where this is going. Amy Richardson for the defense moves admitting Dr. Smith...
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4:30PM Update:
WMRW experiencing server problems. This update dispatch was relayed to the copy desk by way of smoke signals and Pony Express so it may not be 100% thorough.
On the stand is Dr. Jeff Smith, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Trauma Director.v He is admitted as an expert in emergency and trauma medicine....
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Going Rogue with Defense Witness Petraco
After the lunch break, the defendants were sitting in their respective positions that they have sat throughout most of the trial with Joe Price separated from from Dylan Ward and Victor Zaborsky. Only AUSA Patrick Martin from the government was sitting at the government’s table when Judge Leibovitz entered...
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4pm Update: An Early Day
The day’s wrap is coming soon. Until then:
Nicholas Petraco finished cross and re-direct, and the court rose. Tomorrow, one witness for the defense; court reconvenes at 2:15 pm.
1:30 Update: In-and-Out Burger
Surprise! Defense had asked to regroup mid-way through Petraco’s testimony, leading to a 10 minute break. Reconvening, Schertler rose to...
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On August 2nd, 2006, Washington attorney Robert E. Wone was murdered at 1509 Swann Street. Over two years passed before any criminal charges were filed - and then only conspiracy, obstruction of justice and crime scene tampering charges were brought against the Swann Street housemates, all present in the home on the night of the murder: Joe Price, Dylan Ward and Victor Zaborsky.
On May 17, 2010, a DC Superior Court trial got underway and all three defendants were all acquitted in that bench trial on those pending charges.
Nearly four years later, very little seems clear about what happened that night and who murdered Robert Wone. A cloud of suspicion remains over the Swann Street defendants who have denied any involvement in the murder of their friend or in the alleged cover up.
Judge Lynn Leibovitz found a moral certainty in their collective guilt, but not evidentiary certainty. Civil proceedings in a wrongful death suit filed by Robert's family is the next chapter in this tragic story.
We continue to work together seeking answers to the mystery of Robert Wone's murder and in finding justice for his memory and legacy.
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