Witness Statements in Raye's First Appeal 6

At any given time, there were camera people everywhere. There was at least one cameraman for each news reporter. There were at least five television stations present with reporters and cameramen. The news media was stationed outside when everyone arrived in the morning, they were there at breaks, during lunch, and at the end of each trial day. The news media tried their best to capture footage of Raye Dawn.

On the east end of the courthouse, there is an overhead drive-up area where Raye Dawn and her mother would drive up every morning with deputy escorts. The news media would try to capture footage of Raye Dawn as she entered and left the courtroom each day.

Although the judge cautioned the jurors before breaks not to discuss the case with anyone, the jury was not sequestered and was allowed to go home at night, where they had access to television, radio and newspapers. There was always a morning break, a break for lunch and an afternoon break.

I observed Kathie, the paternal grandmother, during several days of the trial, while proceedings were in progress, pass notes to the District Attorney and his assistant. Kathie would lean over the rail and speak with the prosecution attorneys frequently during the trial.