Today was the best trial day so far! The Defense wiped the floor with the Prosecution.
I continued to tweet live updates from inside the courtroom. Here are my live-tweets from today:
Trial of Vernon Hershberger Day 4 Begins — Sheriff on stand, Prosecution begins questioning — Watch Live justin.tv/FarmFoodFreedom #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
DOJ Linda Gray takes stand. Courtroom at 90% capacity. State asks witnesses about what property they stole. #VernonHershberger #Govt #Theft
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
State continues to bore all in attendance over minutia regarding the computer they stole from Vernon. One hour into trial, no arguments yet.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Talk about overkill. Vernon is a farmer. Why is a team of computer forensics analysts necessary? State asks Jury to leave. Now in recess.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
While Jury away, Judge decides to hide more from them — Must not see that Vernon’s Price List reads “For Members Only.” Members = co-owners
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense argues that if State wants to introduce evidence, they must show the whole story, not just pieces. “Absurd. It’s not fair.” #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “Judge, if I call Vernon to the stand, you’re going to prevent him from providing a complete description?”Judge: “We’ll see.”
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “The way this is going, this trial isn’t going to be over this week.”Judge: “It is what it is.” #VernonHershberger #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “Is there any reason you haven’t given Mr Hershberger his property back?”State: “Irrelevant!” (Sustained.) #Govt #Theft #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
State bores audience by reading from stolen documents listing prices & products offered by Vernon. 1 juror wears peace sign shirt. #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
State has Witness read Vernon’s statement on #CivilDisobedience and explanation of resistance. Asks for customer support despite raids.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense asks about the blacked-out portion of the statement read by witness. Emails presented are incomplete. #VernonHershberger #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Witness claims he produced a full report. He did not black out anything. Spent years looking at this info. Did not look at all files on comp
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
The State rests its case against #RawMilk #Farmer #VernonHershberger – A brief recess now. Defense prepares to call first witness to stand.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Court in recess. Courtroom is at 100% capacity. Jury returns. Defense calls 1st witness: Kathy Anderson, WI Dept of Agriculture, Inspector.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “Do you agree with me that dairy farmers and farm owners have the right to drink their own milk?”Anderson: “Yes” #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Court resumes. Room at FULL occupancy. No more allowed in. News crew filming. 70 people in attendance. #VernonHershberger #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Prosecution wants to strike Defense’s witnesses based on accusation that some watched trial. They’ve censored facts, why not witnesses too?
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Room appears to be 1/2 Amish, 1/2 modern. Defense resumes questioning Anderson (investigator). Video shown of witness raiding a home fridge.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Anderson admits knowing that the home fridge she raided was for personal use and that it’s uncommon for a retail store. #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Anderson admits she assumed #VernonHershberger owned everything, but also she doesn’t know, and didn’t ask. She simply assumed. #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Anderson admits assumption the pantry was retail store based on how it looked, but that she doesn’t know. #VernonHershberger #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Investigator Anderson admits that she knew some of the milk she ruined was for personal use. She did it anyway. #VernonHershberger #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Anderson can’t say if the 2300lbs of milk she ruined is “a lot.” She doesn’t remember giving #VernonHershberger an option in keeping it.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Investigator Anderson says dyed milk isnt “ruined.” Claims she would personally drink milk with blue dye added to it. #Liar #Govt #Injustice
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Judge proclaims Anderson’s own government document “hearsay” and not admissible as evidence because it has highlighting on it. #Govt #Logic
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Armed court bailiff has been staring down members of court audience with unrelenting, intimidating glare. #VernonHershberger #Govt #Thuggery
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “In your 26 years, has a farmer ever been charged criminally for such a thing?” (moving milk)Anderson: “I–I don’t know.” #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense calls Father of #VernonHershberger to the stand to testify. His son faces 30 months in jail for his #VictimlessCrimes #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Daniel Hershberger says it has been a pleasure being father of #VernonHershberger . Says son went to 8th grade and grew up on a dairy farm.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense asks “How do you milk a cow?” Humble Father Hershberger gestures milking with hands. Audience laughs. #Amish #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Daniel #Hershberger says nutrition is important to his religion. State objects. Judge sustains and strikes comment from record. #RawMilk
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Daniel #Hershberger reads document aloud. Court recorder bursts, “You have to slow down.” Courtroom erupts in laughter. Very funny witness.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Judge Reynolds forbids Daneil #Hershberger from describing what a member of his own farm is. State insists that’s a legal conclusion.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “Did you attend any ice cream socials at the farm?”D Hershberger: “Whatever it was, it was fun.”Audience laughs. Judge forbids it
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Daniel Hershberger: “Vernon is an honest seeker of the truth. That’s how I know him.” #VernonHershberger #RawMilk #Trial #Wisconsin #Farmer
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
State prosecutor being aggressive & belligerent toward Vernon’s dad. Jury shows furrowed brows and piercing stares. #Govt #Thugs
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
State puts paperwork above people. Daniel Hershberger says “I come from a generation where a handshake is worth something.” #RawMIlk #trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Daniel Hershberger makes it clear that he had a mutual agreement with his family members regardless or state paperwork. #8thGradeEducation
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
After 15 minute recess, court resumes. State argues that certain truths can’t be spoken, while sheriffs glare at & intimidate audience.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
While jury is away, Defense argues to judge that he is preventing a fair trial by forbidding essential evidence regarding the term “member.”
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “This is a trial, Judge, not an Inquiry. Mr Hershberger has a right to present the facts.” justin.tv/FarmFoodFreedom #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
The #State should be embarrassed. The Judge is shamelessly preventing facts from being presented to the jury. #FairTrial #VernonHershberger
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Judge has now spent over an hour trying to prevent pertinent facts and evidence of the case from reaching the jury #VernonHershberger #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Silence befalls the courtroom. Defense attorneys peruse thousands of pages of documents for a word they are allowed to use. #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “Mr Plasterer, do you have the document that we were referring to yesterday? Uh, earlier today. Feels like yesterday.” (Laughter)
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Bailiff approaches man in back row of audience. Demanded he remove a 1.5″ sticker from his shirt. Sticker reads “Local Food Rules”
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “Is the Hershberger farm comparable to Cosco or Sam’s Club?”OBJECTION! Calls for legal conclusion. (Sustained) #RawMilk #Trial
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Defense: “Are prices flexible at Grazin Acres?”Witness: “Yes.”D: “Ever encountered a retail establishment with flexible prices?”W: “No.”
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
D: Can the witness answer the question without being interrupted?S: Objection! Non-responsive.D: You can’t object to your own question.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
D: Can the witness answer the question without being interrupted?S: Objection! Non-responsive.D: You can’t object to your own question.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
#VernonHershberger #Trial in recess until tomorrow. Watch live 8:45am Central justin.tv/FarmFoodFreedom Should be final day. Verdict expected.
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Eustace Conway & Joel Salatin speaking NOW LIVE watch now after Vernon Hershberger trial Justin.tv/FarmFoodFreedom
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 23, 2013
Joel Salatin is speaking behind me right now. I am livestreaming. Justin.tv/FarmFoodFreedom
— Derrick J. Freeman (@derrickjfreeman) May 24, 2013