What they said
Quotable quotes at the Willacy County Courthouse, other remarks and happenings during the week regarding the indictments that a grand jury returned against public officials
ä "Another battle." District Attorney Pro-Tem Alfredo Padilla to defense attorney Tony Canales as both walked up the stairs to the courtroom Friday morning.
ä "Ready for round two." District Attorney Pro-Tem Alfredo Padilla to a court bailiff as he arrived after a lunch court recess.
ä "Either way, you are making a contribution." Presiding Judge J. Manuel Bañales to everyone in the courtroom, warning that if a cell phone rang, they would either pay a $100 fine to Willacy County or lose their phone to be donated to the troops at war.
ä "His Blackberry is off." Presiding Judge J. Manuel Bañales of why the Texas Supreme Court's general counsel was unable to get in touch with Justice Nathan L. Hecht Friday in seeking guidance on District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra's motion that Bañales remove himself from the cases.
ä "He didn't say where he was going." Defense attorney David Oliveira of District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra's momentary departure from the courtroom.
ä Defense attorney Luis Saenz seemed surprised that District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra unknowingly took his seat Friday close to District Attorney Pro-Tem Alfredo Padilla, who was sitting between Saenz and David Oliveira. Guerra was supposed to have sat at the end of the table.
ä "Five lawyers are on their way to help me." District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra to Judge J. Manuel Bañales.
ä "Look at all that evidence. That's a lot of evidence." A citizen after looking at six plastic and cardboard boxes holding District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra's evidence in the cases.
ä "Nobody is here for them." Defense attorney Tony Canales on the absence of Washington D.C. attorneys to represent Vice-President Richard B. Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
ä "I made the determination solely on point of law." Presiding Judge J. Manuel Bañales on his appointment of Alfredo Padilla as district attorney pro-tem.
ä Only one bathroom is working at the Willacy County Courthouse. Two bathrooms, one for women and one for men, on the second floor, were sealed with yellow tape, much like that placed around crime scenes. The culprit in this case is mold, staff said.
ä Willacy County staff said that the grand jury meets on the third floor, clearly the holding cell area for prisoners. The first thing one sees on the third floor is cell bars.
ä "A district attorney can indict a ham sandwich." Defense attorney Michael Cowen on the independence of a grand jury from a district attorney. "We don't get to know what he told those people."
ä "I'm here giving Luis Saenz some support." Attorney Chester Gonzalez, husband of District Judge Janet Leal, whom Saenz represents.
ä "To have that as his chair if he shows up." Defense attorney Tony Canales, asking an attorney not to sit on a chair next to him. An empty chair would highlight District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra's absence from the court.
ä "Your honor, I do not see the DA (Guerra)." Willacy County District Clerk Gilbert Lozano on an impromptu hearing.
ä "I apologize for my co-counsel." Defense attorney David Oliveira said after Tony Canales irked Presiding Judge J. Manuel Bañales.
ä "There goes our justice system and God save the State of Texas." Defense attorney Luis Saenz of the charges leveled against Judge Janet Leal.
ä "Mr. Guerra is sort of chasing his tail." Defense attorney Eric Reed, of Guerra's roles as witness, alleged victim and prosecutor.
ä "We know the corruption. We look at TV every day and corruption is out of control." District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra.
ä "All are upstanding folks, pillars of the community - with the exception of Vice-President Cheney." Defense attorney David Oliveira of the officials that the grand jury indicted.
ä "He is out of control. He indicted Mervyn. Mervyn is like, an Eagle Scout." Defense attorney David Oliveira of District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra and the indictment against Mervyn Mosbacker.
