Author: Mike

A jury of 6 men and women found Larry Cirignano not guilty of misdemeanor assault and battery in Worcester today.

There were no strong emotions on anyone’s face as the verdict was announced. Cirignano was mostly impassive, with the occasional mild smile. Loy and her supporters frowned a bit, but then everyone was frowning as the jury’s deliberation dragged on for its second day, and a hung jury looked increasingly likely.

Sarah Loy had no comment. Bay Windows has a statement from Cirignano’s lawyer. I’m hoping either they or the T&G can get some comments from jurors.
Continue reading “Cirignano trial: not guily”

I’m 40 minutes late. Celebrity blogger Michael Ball, who was there on time, later told me that the prosecution asked Shari Worthington why, when she was able to take care of all sorts of other business, she declined to file a criminal complaint against Loy until just before the Cirignano trial. Ball of course didn’t like her testimony.

When I arrive, on the stand is…

Larry Cirignano

An elections “advance man,” govt and politics work, worked with various Republican presidents. Got “roped into the gay marriage issue” following some events in 2003.

Describes the work of an advance man. Deals with all details for a VIP at an event. Coordinates with law enforcement and private security.

Describes “catch and release.” When someone approaches a speaker or unfurls a banner you get them out of there right away and release them. “‘Catch’ is to get them off the stage.” Describes it as “shock and awe.” (I have no idea what he’s thinking of, but this seems like precisely the wrong metaphor for the use of minimal force.) You talk to them first. Never put your hands on someone. You can guide them but never physically get involved in an altercation.
Continue reading “Cirignano trial: day 3”

I got there like 20 minutes late. A woman was in the midst of testifying who was Lauren McCarthy’s mom. She’s a teacher at QCC.
Continue reading “Cirignano trial: afternoon 2”

Bay Windows report on day 1.

T&G’s Dianne Williamson does her thing:

At another point, Mr. Gilleran claimed that Mr. Nangle was “very interested” in the story, as though a news account about a protester who bruised her elbow at a rally would catapult a reporter to the editorial pages of The New York Times.

A guy was fixing the courtroom doors this morning, while the lawyers and judge were discussing things inside.

Me, looking at the doors: “Yesterday they were so loud.”

Workman: “Well, they’re not anymore!”
Continue reading “Cirignano trial: morning 2”

Channel 3 was gone, but the T&G’s Dianne Williamson was there this afternoon.

The T&G lawyer again tries to get Nangle to not have to testify.

Christopher Robarge

Another witness for the prosecution. 25 year old Worcesterite and counter-demonstrator. Was at the back of the main demonstration.

Saw someone moving fast through the crowd & then fall. Went to help her. (He was a certified EMT-B in Connecticut, and worked for volunteer ambulance services.)

“She was on the ground, she was upset, she was crying.”

“I did see hands on her shoulders.”
Continue reading “Cirignano trial: afternoon 1”

The judge denies the motion to keep T&G reporter Richard Nangle off the stand. He’ll likely be testifying, as he was a witness to part of the event in question.

Ex-WoMag reporter Noah Schaffer is present in the courtroom. He’ll be writing an article about the Courthouse for Boston Lawyer’s Weekly.

During the morning break, several Cirignano supporters arrived. One predicted that Cirignano’s opponents would “flood” the courtroom on Friday. This doesn’t seem likely.

Only 7 of the 8 jurors returned today. Remember the juror who approached the bench as the jurors were leaving yesterday? He’s gone.
Continue reading “Cirignano trial: morning 1”

I think Larry Cirignano’s lost some weight, because I didn’t recognize him entering court this morning until it was almost too late to snap his picture.

Today’s events in skylit Courtroom 24 began with a number of motions by the prosection and defense. At one point, the defense lawyer argued that if you have a permit for a demonstration, you have the right to use force to keep people with a contrary message out of the area and if you want lawyers to help your case as well you can find solicitors London that can totally help you. You’ll remember that Mr. Cirignano is accused of assaulting a woman at a rally last December at Worcester City Hall.

Things today got as far as impanelling the jury. Eight people; five men, three women; one black man; only one person younger than late middle age.

• You should be able to read more detailed accounts of the action later today from Bay Windows’ Ethan Jacobs (who’s been subpoenaed, but wasn’t at the incident itself and probably won’t testify).
• T&G reporter Richard Nangle, who was present at the crime, has been asked to testify, but the paper’s lawyers are fighting it “tooth and nail.” Mr. Nangle was present in court briefly this morning, but didn’t say anything.
• Shari Worthington, who’s filed a scam complaint against the woman Cirignano assaulted, is herself scheduled to be a witness in the case. Her statements about her criminal complaint have been cuckoo, so it’ll be interesting to hear her talk under oath. Maybe we can get a sense of her motivations.

If you want to come down to see the beginning of the trial, it starts 9am, Wednesday, October 17, Fourth Floor, Courtroom 24, 224 Main Street, Worcester.

N.B. Comments that add nothing but insults to the conversation will be deleted (unless the insults are really good).

Update: Here’s the relevant podcast and essays (one and two) from Michael Ball:

We’ll see how it goes, but I think Cirignano is probably going to be sorry he didn’t plea on this one.