Live from the courtroom: Judge Roland Steinle is fired up this afternoon. He just threatened to fine defense attorney Ken Everett for a comment that was made this afternoon in front of the jury.
It stems from an offhanded remark Everett made while star witness Samuel Dieteman was testifying. Dieteman said a friend of his was intoxicated on a certain night in question, and Everett quipped, “Of course he was.”
Steinle reprimanded Everett in front of the jury for the comment, then about 20 minutes or so later, sent the jurors out of the room and went after him again. “The next time you make a comment like the one you made before in front of the jury, it will cost you $100 when you question the credibility of this witness again,” Steinle told him. “At the end of the trial I will total it up and you can give it to the charity of your choice and show me the check.”
He added later: “There is absolutely no excuse for that kind of conduct in front of the jury.” Everett said he understood the concern, and the jurors were called back into the courtroom.
This is the second time today Steinle has threatened to impose fines for breaking the rules in his courtroom. He threatened to fine local television stations after allegations were raised that a juror was filmed and shown briefly this morning on one of the news programs.