Sterling Trial Day III: Donald Sterling rails on Shelly, who also hits the stand
By Micky Shaked
Any time you ask yourself if the Donald Sterling vs. Shelly Sterling trial can get any (insert sensationalist adjective ending in “er”), the answer is always yes. Day three proceedings proved that theory to be true, with both Sterlings taking the stand at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on Wednesday.
To that end, Judge Michael Levanas provided the most newsworthy item of the day once proceedings adjourned.
Judge Levanas just said it's ''unlikely'' case finished by NBA's Board of Governors meeting July 15...so can't approve Ballmer then
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 9, 2014
Donald Sterling continued where he left off from his aggressive, scatterbrained testimony on Tuesday. Twenty-four hours after warning the court that his impending antitrust lawsuit against the NBA would last two years and win him $9 billion–among other declarations–Sterling continued lashing out at the opposition. The biggest declaration of the day:
Donald Sterling outburst "Make no mistake today, I will never ever sell this team. And until I die, I will be suing the NBA!"
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 9, 2014
This time, though, Shelly Sterling was not immune to his wrath. The testimony included similarly loving sentiments towards his wife that Donald Sterling put forth Tuesday, only with a twist:
Donald Sterling "I love my wife but if you ask if she knows any of the 50 charities we contribute to she wouldn't know."
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 9, 2014
"My wife, in her entire life, has never read the trust. She wouldn’t know what’s in the trust. The trust is complicated....
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 9, 2014
On Shelly, Donald says, "She deceived me. I trusted her. I believed in her. I never thought woman wouldn't stand by her husband.''
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 9, 2014
"I don’t think she’s the president. I don’t think she has any stock. I don’t think she has any standing. That’s my opinion." - DTS on Shelly
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 9, 2014
After calling his wife clueless and incompetent, Donald Sterling had choice words for the NBA and former commissioner David Stern.
DTS says NBA and her lawyers have her "mesmerized."
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 9, 2014
"I’ve been disillusioned for years. The reason I’m disillusioned is because here’s all this money missing out of the NBA."
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 9, 2014
Then he made it personal by going after Shelly Sterling’s lawyers.
Sterling now slanders Shelly's lawyers: "We all know they served time, we all know they've been in a place we'd rather not talk about."..wow
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 9, 2014
Actually, Shelly Sterling's lawyer Pierce O'Donnell has served jail time for fraud...so no slander...but pretty rude..
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 9, 2014
Things got delusional when Donald Sterling claimed he has never been late on or failed to make a payment to employees.
"I have never, ever in 50 years been late on a payment or missed a payment!''..says the guy sued by coaches he didn't pay
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 9, 2014
Former Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy would like to differ. Shelly finally got her turn on the hot seat, focusing on her husband’s deteriorating state.
Shelly Sterling said she normally handles Donald's medical issues. "I'm his only caregiver."
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) July 9, 2014
Shelly Sterling gets emotional talking about watching Donald's interview on CNN. Says he's not the same person he used to be.
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 9, 2014
The stunner of the night? After being cordial and even pleasant towards Shelly Sterling before his own testimony:
During the break, Shelly Sterling approached Donald to say hello. He held her hand and smiled at her as they spoke.
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 9, 2014
He ended the day with a bang that nobody saw coming:
Judge Levanas just announced Donald said, ''Get away from me you pig'' to Shelly..but others heard the b-word..
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) July 9, 2014
Shelly Sterling's attorney asked judge to remove Donald from courtroom. Judge told Donald not to speak, calling his remarks disturbing
— Kim Baldonado (@KimNBCLA) July 9, 2014
The takeaway after three days isn’t much different than what we’ve been told to expect: this is going to be a long and bumpy ride. At least the entertainment value is high. Check back Thursday evening for more analysis as both Sterlings will continue their respective testimonies on day four.