For most of the witnesses and observers, it seems like a strange place indeed, but the "veterans" seem at ease with the place though they’re hypervigilant to all the comings and goings. The remarkable thing in a case like this is the obvious amount of time and research behind every little question or comment – in this trial evidenced by the boxes of documents, the over-filled briefcases [and suitcases], and the collage of media equipment strewn throughout the courtroom. The older lawyers look almost "crumpled" but the younger lawyers and staff are crisp fashion plates, a contrast to the blue-jeaned Jurors.
Some seemingly inconsequential interactions take on a heightened valence. When the psychiatrist was asked if Dr. Shon had ever visited his mental health clinic, he shot back, "Never!" It was an unexpected question, at least to me, but after just hearing about Dr. Shon’s frequent trips around the country pushing TMAP, that he’d never visited this clinic in his own system took on a heightened significance. Even though the cross examiner established that Shon’s predecessor had never visited either, the spontaneous and immediate "Never!" had an emotional nuance that would likely linger long in the minds of the Jurors. It has obviously lingered with me.
I said I always have the same reaction in courtrooms. I feel like I’m in some place important, and for all the antics and posturing, it makes me feel kind of patriotic – as in "of the people, by the people."
a fellow trial watcher
The Risperdal trial in Texas, cont’d: Establishing not just facts, but the yardstick by which facts are to be measured, and other matters” (jan 12, 2012)
http://somatosphere.net/2012/01/the-risperdal-trial-in-texas-cont%E2%80%99d-establishing-not-just-facts-but-the-yardstick-by-which-facts-are-to-be-measured-and-other-matters.html
A collaborative website covering the intersections of medical anthropology, science and technology studies, cultural psychiatry, psychology and bioethics.
“Some seemingly inconsequential interactions take on a heightened valence.”
What a beautiful sentence – I’m recommending it to O.E.D. as exemplary of the word valence. Hope you and Sharon are deriving abundant pleasures from the proceedings in Austin. fcm
Thank you thank you thank you. I have never been in a courtroom (so far!).
thanks for writing this series, 1BOM. I ran across your blog from the Suzy Chapman affair, and now from the trial. I didn’t quite get the issues when I read the series at Somatosphere.net, but now, reading your posts, I do.