Wednesday, 4.5.06

This morning's jury selection process was preceded by administrative comments by the Honorable Judge Gary A. Feess, who advised attorneys on both sides to schedule enough witnesses for each day's testimony—and not to expect lunch breaks. Looking well-rested and clean-shaven, Dowie, 58, is represented by lead attorney Thomas Holliday, co-chair of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, Los Angeles' Business Crimes and Investigations Practice Group. Also defending Dowie are Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher lawyers Michael Farhang and Nicola Hanna, among others. Co-defendant John Stodder, 50, is represented by lead attorney Jan Lawrence Handzlik with Michael L. Resch, both of Howrey, Los Angeles. Representing the United States Department of Justice are Assistant US Attorneys Adam D. Kamenstein and Cheryl O'Connor Murphy. The prosecution is expected to present its opening cases on Thursday. The prosecution expects to display at least 160 government exhibits -- some 50-60 pages in length -- including e-mails and Fleishman billing documents.

I love this town because even when I set out to do mundane things they can end up being spectacular experiences. For instance, once in my morning yoga class, as my breath began to deepen, I glanced over to find Dave Navarro stretched out in down-dog next to me mocking my au-natural look with his meticulously manicured, black-lacquered nails. Oh my! I don’t really get star-struck, but I used to kiss his picture on my Jane’s Addiction poster every night; it’s hard to keep my third eye from wondering! Nevertheless, over the years of living here I’ve run circles through many different hamster wheels (and I know I am not alone). I’ve been the a-typical model/actress/waitress, jetting day in and day out to auditions and the like with headshot and zed card in hand. I pursued voice-overs as well as fashion styling. I’ve been fired and hired at random will, shook my money-maker in music videos and even explored a few professions outside of the law. Yet, when I think about all the personalities that surround me, I feel it’s this city that provokes us into becoming a Jack of all Trades, of sorts.