FBI computer expert testifies at Pellicano trial
Former Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano on Friday called his one and only witness -- an FBI computer expert -- in his defense against wiretapping and racketeering charges.
On the witness stand, Donald Schmidt testified that he was told to look for evidence of audio recordings on Mac computers confiscated by federal agents in a search of Pellicano's Sunset Boulevard office in November 2002.
"I recall hearing audio files", Schmidt said.
"Did you or anybody determine these files were wiretaps?" Pellicano asked.
"It's not my job", Schmidt responded. "I was told to find audio files".
Watching Pellicano defend himself on Friday were his wife, Kat Pellicano, and his two teenage daughters. Pellicano, at different times, smiled, waved and winked at them, and at one point, gestured to his wife that he liked his daughter's hair.
After questioning Schmidt, Pellicano told Judge Dale Fischer he had no other witnesses to call. He could still take the stand and has discussed in open court with Fischer (outside the jury's presence) how that would happen, since he is representing himself.
Fischer has suggested Pellicano draft questions and recruit one of the other defense attorneys to ask them while he's in the witness box.
Pellicano is accused of being the ringleader of a criminal enterprise that included tapping phone lines and employing others to dig up often confidential information on adversaries of clients who hired the private eye.
On the witness stand, Donald Schmidt testified that he was told to look for evidence of audio recordings on Mac computers confiscated by federal agents in a search of Pellicano's Sunset Boulevard office in November 2002.
"I recall hearing audio files", Schmidt said.
"Did you or anybody determine these files were wiretaps?" Pellicano asked.
"It's not my job", Schmidt responded. "I was told to find audio files".
Watching Pellicano defend himself on Friday were his wife, Kat Pellicano, and his two teenage daughters. Pellicano, at different times, smiled, waved and winked at them, and at one point, gestured to his wife that he liked his daughter's hair.
After questioning Schmidt, Pellicano told Judge Dale Fischer he had no other witnesses to call. He could still take the stand and has discussed in open court with Fischer (outside the jury's presence) how that would happen, since he is representing himself.
Fischer has suggested Pellicano draft questions and recruit one of the other defense attorneys to ask them while he's in the witness box.
Pellicano is accused of being the ringleader of a criminal enterprise that included tapping phone lines and employing others to dig up often confidential information on adversaries of clients who hired the private eye.
- 4/11/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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