While Conrad Black Mimes Confidence, Lady Black Calls Reporters Slut and Vermin
I didn’t see this one coming. The windbag media millionaire Conrad Black, who never met a multi-syllabic word he didn’t love, has been almost mute during the opening days of his fraud trial.
Somehow, lawyers Eddie Greenspan and Edward Gensom have done what no one else could do: they convinced their usually pompous and talkative client to shut his trap.
Into the breech leapt Lady Black, aka journalist/socialite/shopper Barbara Amiel Black, to speak on her husband’s behalf. Not as bombastic as Lord Black, she prefers short, anglo-saxon words.
“Slut!” she yelled at a TV producer while leaving the courthouse Monday. “You’re all vermin!” she added, in case there was some question of her opinion of the throngs of reporters covering the trial that is expected to last three to five months.
Conrad Black’s silence is much more surprising than his wife’s outburst. And if the “media baron” is to get a fair trial from the jury, he’ll need to keep his stentorious, prognostications to himself. Given the opportunity to voice his opinion, the man usually oozes disdain for the common rabble almost as much as for journalists.
I doubt the slut comment will damage Black during the trial. Anyone who’s seen the hordes of journalists descend upon the defence team can probably sympathize with a wife lashing out on behalf of her husband, who is reported to be spending millions of dollars each month to defend himself in court.
No, the greatest damage will most likely come from Black himself, if he chooses to testify.
The defence lawyers know they have a publicly prickly, haughty, pretentious man for a client. Not the kind of person jurors warm to, unless he behaves himself impeccably (and uncharacteristically) in court. They have to be hoping for a trial that doesn’t involve Black launching into a diatribe during cross-examination. If they’re lucky, they won’t have to call him to the stand.
That would be like taking the pin out of a hand grenade, and hoping it doesn’t go off.
Update: CBC is reporting that Lady Black actually said, “These terrible vermin, they make me sick,” while riding an elevator down with two journalists.
Update 2: This post was quoted in a Canadian Press story. Thanks to Colin McKay for pointing it out.
Photo via Macleans.ca.
Tags: conrad black, fraud trial, chicago, lawyers, media, journalists, slut, barbara amiel black
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8 opinions for While Conrad Black Mimes Confidence, Lady Black Calls Reporters Slut and Vermin
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Mar 20, 2007 at 5:01 pm
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[…] While Conrad Black Mimes Confidence, Lady Black Calls Reporters Slut, Vermin […]
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Jun 20, 2007 at 7:23 am
[…] Conrad Black Mimes Confidence, Lady Calls Reporters Slut, Vermin […]
Joseph
Nov 4, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Note: the names of individuals has been deleted from this comment.
I have made a list of offenders from the Chicago-land area (same area, in which Conrad Black was indicted and convicted). These offenders are guilty of felonies. All have served their time and are now home. Be advised, most of the offenders have served less than half of the time that “arrogant” Conrad Black is facing.
As follows:
1) [name deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 9-years).
2) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 8-years).
3) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 9-years).
4) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 9-years).
5) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 14-years).
6) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 16-years).
7) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 6-years).
8) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 15-years).
9) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 16-years).
10) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 8-years).
11) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 17-years).
12) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 12-years).
13) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 8-years).
14) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 10-years).
15) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 6-years).
16) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 13-years).
17) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 8-years).
18) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 14-years).
19) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 8-years).
20) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 14-years).
21) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 13-years).
22) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 14-years).
23) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 8-years).
24) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 8-years).
25) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 5-years).
26) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 7-years).
27) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 14-years).
28) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 10-years).
29) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 7-years).
30) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 13-years).
31) [deleted], attempted murder of a child (served 14-years).
32) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 15-years).
33) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 14-years).
34) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 12-years).
35) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 16-years).
36) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 7-years).
37) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 13-years).
38) [deleted], MURDER of a child (served 15-years).
Sadly, all of the offenders I have listed here, who are all now home, are convicted of additional crimes (sex-crimes); therefore, all are registered on the Illinois Sexual Predators Web Site. Please note; their sex-crimes are against children. The Illinois Sexual Predators and the Illinois Department of Corrections Web Sites are my sources for the purposes of making my list.
It is an outrage that white-collar defendants face equivalent (or longer) prison terms than child-killers (not to mention, white-collar cases, in large, are a wealth-redistribution mechanism; see Conrad Black’s recent comments in Men’s Vogue Magazine).
The offenders listed, like Conrad Black, are considered felons, the 38 offenders are widely thought of as “child killers,” and Conrad Black on the other hand, is widely thought of as “arrogant;” the one word that is most often used to describe Conrad Black. I suppose people are saying about Conrad Black,“such an arrogant person deserves more prison time than any of these 38 child-killers.” Wherefore, I have never been more conscience-stricken about being American than I am right now. Thankfully, Conrad Black and I have a religious bond.
Sincerely,
Conrad Black’s brother-in-Christ, Joseph Fosco
Eric Eggertson
Nov 4, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Joseph:
First, it’s a bit tacky to post the same comment on multiple blog posts.
As noted on the other post, I’ve deleted the names of the people you say committed these crimes. I don’t have the time or inclination to confirm your accusations.
Joseph Fosco
Nov 4, 2007 at 11:29 pm
There you have it, I am “tacky,” and Conrad is “arrogant.” How many years in prison does “tacky” get (surely more than a child rapist and murderer)?
Someone
Nov 11, 2007 at 2:11 pm
_______________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 6/05/07
EMBATTLED LORD CONRAD BLACK, on trial in Chicago, apparently took some down time to dine with Cardinal Francis George May 21 at the Holy Name Cathedral’s Rectory on North Wabash. Others in attendance at this small and private dinner: the Rev. Dan Mayall, pastor of Holy Name; Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Timothy J. Lyne; businessman Joseph Fosco, and attorney Robert DeMeo.
_____________________________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 6/19/07
Baseball’s Ernie Banks celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss with wife Liz at the 200 East Supper Club. At a separate table, embattled Lord Conrad Black, businessman/Holy Name Stewardship Committee member Joseph Fosco and Daniel Fitzgerald, assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools, dined together and discussed school safety.
________________________________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 6/26/07
Though on trial, Lord Conrad Black is still making the social scene, recently seen relaxing and dining at LePetit Paris with Joe Fosco, businessman/ Holy Name Stewardship committeeman, and Chicago Fire Department Deputy District Chief Miguel S. Bautista
_______________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 7/19/07
LORD CONRAD BLACK, who was convicted of obstruction of justice and fraud, dined and sipped Cristal with a few friends, businessman Joe Fosco and attorney Robert DeMeo, at the 200 East Supper Club on Tuesday night. They called the intimate gathering a “Majority Win Victory” celebration.
Black talked about his two favorite politicos, former Presidents Richard Nixon and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, both of whom he has authored books on. He also reportedly said that he thinks U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve is an excellent judge. He also said “he loves our city and the architecture and sees the similarity of Chicago and my hometown of Toronto, but Toronto is not as big.” Black also promises to “remain committed in his pursuit of full vindication.”
_____________________________________
PUBLISHED BY CHICAGO SUN-TIMES ON 10/02/07
Businessman/ Holy Name stewardship committeeman Joe Fosco hosted a party at LePetit Paris for a few dignitaries and supporters of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Catholic School System. The group included Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Timothy Lyne, TEC-Carrier heiress Mary Ann Mungo and semi-pro Hall of Famer Donald Johnson. During the party, media mogul Lord Conrad Black phoned in from his Florida estate to say hello.
_______________________________________
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Dec 31, 2007 at 7:35 pm
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