UM Grace Case

Court began Tuesday at 8:32 a.m. Before the jury entered the court room, Judge Donald Molloy spoke about inappropriate contact of the press with the jury. The judge addressed the actions of a journalism student who attempted to contact members of the jury.

“It’s going to stop. If need be I’ll take more serious measures…it’s totally unethical to be contacting jurors while they’re sitting in a case. It may be that a student doesn’t know the limits. Don’t, don’t, don’t ever contact a sitting juror. If it happens again the next person you’ll be visiting is the FBI,” Molloy said.

Cross examination continued of EPA on-site cleanup coordinator Paul Peronard by defense attorneys on the ownership of KDC property and cleanup and access to the property. Defense attorney Carolyn Kubota continued cross examination, questioning Peronard about the ownership of Kootnai Development Corp. property and the geographical layout of Vermiculite Mountain. Defense attorney Thomas Frongillo, representing Robert J. Bettacchi, began his cross examination working to establish the time frame covered in counts 3 and 4. Frongillo also began questioning Peronard about his first visit to Libby, Mont.

–Kalie Tenenbaum (10:22 a.m.)