Sterling Trial Day II: Donald Sterling plays lawyer from witness stand
By Micky Shaked
While host nation Brazil was getting thrashed in their World Cup semifinal match with Germany, Donald Sterling was seemingly toying with Bert Fields, Shelly Sterling’s lawyer and the man supposed to be asking all the questions.
Day two of the Shelly Sterling vs. Donald Sterling trial got underway at 1:30 p.m. PST with the cross examination of Dr. Meril Platzer, the first neurologist to examine Donald Sterling and determine him mentally unfit to handle the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers. Based on the live-tweeting of reporters on hand, Donald Sterling’s lawyer Gary Ruttenberg had the judge on his last wits trying to get the case thrown out.
Donald Sterling's lawyers keep trying to delay the trial or have it thrown out altogether. Judge is having none of it.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
When Ruttenberg actually focused on the witness, he tried to demonstrate that Platzer violated doctor-patient confidentiality by releasing results of the exam.
Gary Ruttenberg really focused on HIPA/Privacy laws -- trying to establish whether Donald had doctor-patient privileges with her
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 8, 2014
Donald's lawyers aren't really disputing doctor or her findings but basically the legality of the doctor revealing those findings.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
Platzer revealed some interesting details about her evaluation of Donald, painting him as neurotic, confused and calm all at once.
Dr. Platzer just testified that the first thing Donald Sterling said to her when she examined him on May 19 was, "Are you wearing a wire?"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 8, 2014
Donald Sterling could not spell "world" backwards or subtract 7 from 100 in the mental exam.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
Platzer said Donald Sterling was very pleasant and cooperative during her examination.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 8, 2014
Dr. James Spar, the other medical expert to examine Donald Sterling, followed as the second witness. Or at least he was supposed to until the man of the hour walked in just as Spar took the stand.
As Dr. Spar was talking on the stand, the entire courtroom turned around to look at the door as Donald walked in and took his seat.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
Donald Sterling has been dying his silver hair for years but it's darker than mine today. #JustForMen
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
Donald, who showed up 40 minutes late, is looking around and smiling. Who knows if he even knows where he is.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
Though Sterling owned all the attention, Spar still gave his testimony and added to the Donald Sterling’s chaotic reputation.
Dr. Spar said Donald became frustrated during the examination and left towards the end. Said, "I have to go."
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
Finally, it was Donald Sterling’s turn. And he delivered, immediately turning the tables on Fields.
Sterling on stand, already combative, asks Bert Fields to identify himself, refuses to answer a complicated question...
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 8, 2014
"What is your name?!"... "Is that a compound question?!" Sterling to attorney so far.
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 8, 2014
Among the topics addressed during the questioning, we learned that Sterling:
- Called Dr. Spar and Dr. Platzer “hired guns” and questioned their competency
- Approved Shelly to negotiate a sale, but was under the impression that they would keep a percentage stake in the team
- Couldn’t recall certain comments from his interview with Anderson Cooper
- Doesn’t trust the NBA,only his wife, who he apparently loves but doesn’t want involved in any business matters
- Believes he can get up to $5 billion for the team and a similar TV rights deal as the Lakers’ $3 billion one with Time Warner Cable
- Expects his anti-trust suit against the NBA to last two years and net him $9 billion
- Doesn’t have time for the New York Times, CNN or NBC News
LA Times reporter Bill Plaschke best summed up the experience.
Sterling testimony done for the day...he was nonsensical, combative, rude,weird,
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 8, 2014
Day three proceedings begin Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. PST. We’ll have more hard-hitting details and tweets tomorrow.