I telephoned my friend Conrad Black the night before his July 23rd bail hearing in Chicago and asked him if he would be uncomfortable if I appeared at the bond hearing to support him. He said, “Not at all, I would like you to be there.”
Then I asked Conrad what kind of impression he felt would be made by Roger Hertog bailing him out of prison. He paused for a moment, then answered my question slyly with the response, “What do you think the Rat is expecting?”
Conrad Black
I arrived at the 12:30 PM hearing a few minutes after 12-noon. Conrad was already seated at the big board table located directly in front of the bench. He was there with his wife and four attorneys, including the amazing Miguel Estrada. Estrada was seated right next to him. The others were seated next to his wife in a pew directly behind the board table. As I walked in, I noticed that media members took all the seats. Therefore, I strolled all the way to the front where Lady Black was seated. I decided that I was worthy of sitting in the first pew since Conrad okayed my presence the night before. As I approached beautiful Lady Black, I kissed her hand. She appeared to be very concerned with the hearing about to take place. She knew better than anyone that things could still go badly.
After that I briefly said hello to some of the lawyers that I have come to know during Conrad’s long crusade and then I took my seat front row. I avoided approaching Conrad so I would not disturb him and Estrada, as they were in deep conversation.
6 Comments
I never believed the government’s case against Black.
Dear Joe,
Thanks for this very generous piece. I must say that I did not find St. Eve as objectionable as you did… I could have done a lot worse with judges than I did with her.
Best wishes. Yours, Conrad
Dear Conrad,
With all due respect, sir, I am entitled to my opinion. And, my opinion is that St. Eve was very objectionable. You on the other hand sometimes see the easier side of things before anything else. I admire you for that.
Sincerely,
JF
Conrad should be free. He is not a criminal. The government should go after real crooks.
Dear Joe,
As you have stated in your article above, Mary Vallis also mentioned the kiss you left on Lady Black’s hand in court. Read it here, http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/Lord+Lady+Black+looks+happiest+with+Amiel+side/3316416/story.html
Dear Jillian,
Thank you for pointing out the evidence. However, the fact that Conrad Black commented – in a positive way – on my article should be all the evidence needed to credit my integrity. Thank you.