Today at 11:45, Vincent Brothers was found guilty on five counts of first degree murder.
We first got word that something was happening around 11:20 in the morning. Bailiffs began assembling, and stood post at the front of the courtroom.
I called my newsroom. Assignment editor Michael Trihey answered the phone. Here's pretty much how the conversation went.
Kiyoshi: Hey Mike, something weird is going on here.
Mike: Really? What's going on, do you think there could be a verdict?
Kiyoshi: I don't know, but the bailiffs are standing in formation in front of the courtroom. This is pretty weird.
Mike: I got word from a source that a verdict is down.
Kiyoshi: Are you serious?
Mike: Yes.
Kiyoshi: Hang on. (Talking to bailiffs) Hey guys, what's going. Is there a verdict? I mean, seriously, is there a verdict? OK. Mike, they aren't really answering. I think something is going down.
Mike: OK. Let me know for sure, but I'm sending a photographer.
And from there, chaos. Official word came from the court clerk. A verdict would be read at 11:45 AM.
Quite honestly, I was shocked the verdict came back so soon. It's unusual. But quick verdicts in this case indicate the jurors didn't have much in dispute. In fact, they didn't ask for anything to be read back to them. They didn't ask to examine any physical evidence. It's hard to say what the tipping point was, and we probably won't know until the trial and ends, and if jurors will talk with us.
I was outside the courtroom for the entire reading. I watched the scenario unfold on a TV screen, probably just like you.
What do you think?
