[Peace] Day Four of the Thompson Trial

[Brian Dolinar]

Thursday, May 15, 2008, the defense presented the remainder of their
witnesses. Maria Thompson, wife of the defendant gave her account of the
morning of August 24, 2004.

Due to the pressure of the four-year ordeal that she has had to live with,
Mrs. Thompson broke down in tears after the request to state her name for
the record. The jury was escorted out of the courtroom and a recess was
called. After Mrs. Thompson collected herself, the jury returned and she
responded to questioning from Ruth Wyman.

Mrs. Thompson said that from 6:10 a.m. when she woke up, until 7:30 a.m.
when her husband left to buy books for his fall semester at Parkland
College, he was always in her sight.

Patrick also took the stand Thursday, described his work with VEYA
(Visionaries Education Youth and Adults), and the events of August 2004.

On Sunday, August 22, Patrick was at the Independent Media Center, then at a
storefront on Main Street in downtown Urbana, filming for a video
documentary he was producing. He explained how a microphone stand fell,
injuring his right index finger. Monday morning, he and Maria went to Osco
to buy a finger splint that he wore to protect it. Patrick testified that he
is right handed. His accuser never mentioned in any of her accounts that her
assailer was wearing a finger splint.

Bob Kirchner asked Thompson directly, did he know the accuser and did he
ever enter her apartment. Thompson stated flatly, "No."

Others who were co-workers of the accuser at Provena also testified on
Thursday. One of them said that she was talkative and smiling when he first
saw her the morning of August 24, 2004, but that he saw her upset later that
day. He said he had seen her mood swings "a lot of times."

At the end of the day, the defense rested its case. Vujovich plans to call a
couple brief rebuttal witnesses Friday morning. Closing arguments will
follow.

A verdict is expected Friday afternoon.

Come help us fill Courtroom A at the Champaign County Courthouse.

Peace, BD

-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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