28 Comments

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“This was the most dramatic public moment I have ever witnessed.”

Got chills and teared up a tiny bit at that line. Made me think of Thomas Cahill’s subtitle for his books — “the hinges of history.” Thanks to your reporting, I could almost hear a hinge creak open. Thank you.

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I appreciate the vividly drawn window into these historic moments! So relieved that our justice system is still functional after the drubbing it's taken under trump.

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Jon, thanks for your "Best in Show" coverage; read every word with delight, interest, and amusement......bravo ! Bob Cohen (your old Mercury consultant)

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Thanks Jon for your witty, incisive reporting. As many have said, I felt I was right there with you. Your GOAT stack is worth every penny of the 16 cents a day it costs us - roughly the price of the Sunday edition of the Herald Tribune back in 1955!

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Thank you! And yes, a book please! You have a real gift of making us feel as if we are right there in the courtroom. I looked forward to every chapter. You have a way of transforming a complex case, with some very tedious testimony, into something understandable and fascinating to read. I also appreciate that when I hear commentators opining about this point or that, that your true account of what was actually said makes it all easier to sort out. Thanks again.

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Thank you so much, Jon. You brought us straight into the room with your beautiful, incisive writing. And humor.

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thanks, kate!

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I loved every moment of this and thank you for your excellent reporting into this sad sad part of our history as a country.

I hope we all survive

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thanks, Cynthia!

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NYPD and MAGA talking points...surprise-surprise. I wonder how many of those coppers were part of the Columbia U head-banging.

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Thank you!

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Hey Jonathan - Big kudos to you for your fine coverage of the trial for the last 5 weeks. You explained the complexity of the case real well and your descriptions of frump and his team were spot on. And on top of that an excellent verdict. Thanks

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thanks, ernie!

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I vote for you to write the book on this trial with all the little things associated with it. Take your time, but before November 05, 2024 would suffice.

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thanks, Fernie!

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Mr.Alter:

Impressive work. Many thanks.

My hat is off to the brilliant prosecutors who put together a VERY complicated case done very well, and to those jurors and alternates who did their often-thankless JOBS as citizens. Our system of justice is validated once again, regardless of what happens hereafter. Though it may not be perfect, we are lucky to have it as good as we do.

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thanks, Watkins!

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Thanks.

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Profiles in courage:

Juan M. Merchan, Justice of the New York State Supreme Court,

Eighteen jurors and alternate jurors who bravely and proudly served their state and country, and

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, prosecutors Joshua Steinglass, Susan Hoffinger, and members of the New York County District Attorney's Office.

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i agree, joseph...

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Jonathan,

Thanks for your pieces and their observations. I looked forward to reading them and comparing your first-hand observations to the derivative commentary of the talking heads, however inciteful those heads might be. Having practiced as a civil trial attorney for 39 years, having taught trial procedure and tactics to young attorneys, and having worked with juries - both mock and real - and jury consultants, there is nothing like seeing an important criminal trial from beginning to end. Your writing put me in the courtroom.

I hope you are considering writing a book about this and not just a longer piece. You're a fine writer steeped in US government and history, AND you are not an attorney. There will be plenty of attorneys who write a book about this trial. But what this trial screams for is a well-written narrative (imagine the tangential stories or characters - Chapter 4, Cohen's Mea Culpa or Just Dessert? and ironies; coulda', woulda', shoulda's) wrapped in an eighth-grade civics lesson. History may try and write-off Trump as a one-off narcissistic sociopath but he - and MAGA and his sycophantic followers - are real and DJT's antics have simply revealed a rift in the republican form of government continuum we imagine belongs alone to America. You could write a book this allegedly "rigged" trial that shows that no man is above the law and which celebrates the rough wisdom of being judged by one's "peers"; concluding with the jury as a "melting pot" metaphor! If you aren't retiring or have other pressing plans I urge you to consider it. As humble inducement, I'm sure there are several classmates - including me - who will edit for free.

Your writing is a treasure. I remember 34 years ago when I sat up all night with a sick three-year old reading The Hunt for Red October cover to cover. What about Justice for Orange Grifter? Nah, but it's a start.

Allan Hale

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Thanks, Alan...I really appreciate that you got what I was trying to do,....as for the book: we'll see...

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