Mayor's Trial Verdict is Today

[waterloowarrior]

Today's the day!!


Jam-packed courthouse expected

THE OTTAWA CITIZENAUGUST 5, 2009

Court officials are expecting a packed public gallery this morning when Justice Douglas Cunningham delivers his verdict in the influence-peddling trial of Mayor Larry O'Brien.

To accommodate a larger crowd, the proceedings have been moved to courtroom 37, a venue often used for high-profile cases. The trial was conducted in a smaller courtroom down the hall, with public galleries that on some days were filled to capacity.

The court proceedings are open to the public, but seating is limited. Interested observers, the mayor's supporters, and journalists from numerous news organizations will compete for spots on the gallery benches. Those hoping to get a seat should arrive well before the 10 a.m. start time.

The court will also provide a closed-circuit video feed into another room on the third floor to accommodate more observers. A court official would not say Tuesday if any special security measures will be in place.

Those who cannot attend can follow the proceedings over the Internet. The Citizen will provide blow-by-blow coverage of the reading of the verdict via Twitter as Cunningham delivers it. News of the verdict will appear on ottawacitizen.com almost instantly.

The mayor has not publicly commented on any of the proceedings throughout the trial, but that will change tomorrow. After the verdict, he is to make a statement outside the courthouse at 161 Elgin St. He may also do longer interviews with some media organizations.

Television cameras are not permitted anywhere inside the courthouse, so there will be no live TV coverage from inside the courtroom.

Cable channel Rogers TV will provide coverage, commentary and reaction beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Follow on Twitter at @obrientrial or ottawacitizen.com.

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