Even St. Eve Could Not Ruin Black’s Good Cheer

I was in my seat for a matter of one or two seconds before a U.S. Marshal abruptly approached me. He gruffly instructed me to move to the back of the courtroom because I was “not allowed to sit up here.” I stated that I am a friend of the Black family and I am here to support Conrad on a personal level. The Marshal asked me to spell my first and last name, which I did for him. Then the Marshal left me behind and approached Conrad at the board table to check with him about the validity of my claim. I could not hear their whispers, however, I could see the Marshal reading my name to Conrad as Conrad nodded his head up and down in a ‘yes’ fashion. Apparently, Conrad verified my authorization to be with him at the hearing. I never saw the Marshal again.

A few minutes before U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve appeared on the bench Conrad excused himself from his conference with Miguel Estrada and walked over to the pew where I was seated. First, he said hello to one of his attorneys, Carolyn Gurland. Immediately after greeting his attorney, Conrad approached me with a magnificent smile and firm handshake. He thanked me for coming and asked me how I was doing. He commented that I looked very good. I responded with the same compliment. I also mentioned that he appeared to have lost some weight. He told me he dropped 30-pounds. Conrad explained that he and his wife both made a pact before he surrendered to prison that they would both come out of this healthier.

After he returned to his seat I whispered to him that I almost wore my Free Conrad Black t-shirt to court. He responded with a jovial smile, saying such a garment would be a little too provocative.

At 12:30 PM, Judge St. Eve graced the courtroom with her presence. I thought to myself “is she going to apologize for violating Conrad’s Sixth Amendment Right, which is why her superiors ordered her to free him on bond?” To my surprise, St. Eve did not as much offer Conrad a ‘good afternoon’ greeting. Instead, she cut right to the chase, pointing out her concern about one paragraph (#3) of his financial affidavit, demanding clarity on a matter before Conrad would be allowed to return home to Canada. She admonished Conrad and offered the defense enough time to complete the financial affidavit before walking out of the courtroom as if the fire alarm went off.