The lawyers representing Dr. Christine Blasey Ford have reportedly been negotiating with the Senate Judiciary Committee to settle the terms under which Ford will testify under oath before the committee.
Some NEWS on a call that Katz, the attorney for Ford, had with Judiciary earlier as they negotiate terms of hearing next week, per senior Senate source —
–Katz raised concerns about security and how to ensure Ford's safety
–Katz raised concerns about potential outside counsel— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) September 20, 2018
(bringing in an outside counsel would make it too trial-like, they believe)
–Ford does NOT want Kavanaugh in the room when she testifies, and she asked that Kavanaugh testify first
–Raised prospect of subpoena for Mark Judge and other potential witnesses— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) September 20, 2018
Oh! One more tidbit from the call. They are discussing Thursday as a potential hearing date but that is not yet locked down
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) September 20, 2018
We’re pretty sure it was never the plan for Kavanaugh and Ford to be in the same room (although outrage over the idea spread all over social media), but what’s this about Kavanaugh testifying first? What details does he have to refute?
How the hell is the accused supposed to testify first when he hasn't even heard the details of the allegation from the alleged victim? https://t.co/21zoJovB7b
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 20, 2018
Ford wants Kavanaugh to defend himself against her allegations before she has officially made the allegations. Sorry, this is not the kind of game an honest person plays. Her credibility just continues to plummet. https://t.co/HqOAodJFY3
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 21, 2018
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The demand that Kavanaugh testify *before* Ford is crazy. What accused person would agree to strip himself of the ability to respond to his accuser's claims? This seems like a poison-pill demand by Ford's lawyers. https://t.co/74hqOUlr8g
— Noah Pollak (@NoahPollak) September 21, 2018
As per usual with Ford's attorney, they are going for the Impossible Ask, a request no reasonable side could ever agree to. In this case, the poison pill is her going second and him going first. That inverts every principle in the book (no chance to rebut accusations). https://t.co/F23cFP8Plp
— Jeff B. (@EsotericCD) September 21, 2018
The reason you make impossible demands (in any context, legal or otherwise) is because you are secretly unwilling to perform, but you don't want the onus of demurring to fall on you. You make it about other party's "unwillingness to compromise." Textbook stuff.
— Jeff B. (@EsotericCD) September 21, 2018
I'll bet you money she ends up testifying.
— Henry “turn golf courses into housing" Kraemer ? (@HenryKraemer) September 21, 2018
I would not bet on this! There is *immense* pressure upon her right now from the Democratic side. Diamond-formation level pressure. https://t.co/6x6PSJaqBn
— Jeff B. (@EsotericCD) September 21, 2018
The accused gets to go last in America. This is downright Soviet. Shame on Ford’s legal team trying to undermine hundreds of years of settled legal doctrine. https://t.co/jkGUtLSZWH
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 20, 2018
Ridiculous. In a court room, women are required to face their alleged attackers and the accused have a right to face their accuser. She should testify with him in the room. Yes, it is difficult. It is also just. https://t.co/hSWEfsQFxP
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) September 21, 2018
That is insane.
The ACCUSED should always testify SECOND. The accuser should testify first, and then, if needed, have time for a rebuttal.
What is the accused going to rebut otherwise? https://t.co/ZTa02RD0YR
— Pradheep J. Shanker, M.D., M.S. (@Neoavatara) September 21, 2018
There is absolutely no way in hell Senate Judiciary should cave to the condition of making him go first. That is totally unreasonable and well outside judicial norms. https://t.co/HdyPTmzv8y
— Ellen L. Carmichael (@ellencarmichael) September 21, 2018
How can the accused testify first? If Ford is developing cold feet, she should just say so.
— Sotonye Frank (@SotyFrank) September 20, 2018
I really hope she speaks first. Hard for him to know what to respond to.
— Dr. Johanna MH (@Johannabelle1) September 20, 2018
This is past absurd. When exactly does the accused get to testify FIRST and not respond to claims against him or her.
This is garbage. This is wrong. People need to call this out for what it is! Wtf
— Sean Brooks (@spb324) September 20, 2018
Makes no sense for Kavanaugh to testify first. There is as of yet no allegation under oath for him to defend himself against.
Plaintiff always goes first to make the case.
— Jᴀqᴇn H'ghᴀr (@RealFacelessMan) September 20, 2018
Makes no sense – why should a defendant testify first?
— Objective Journalist (@dim_objective) September 20, 2018
How does one respond to silence?
— Colton Goza (@colton_goza) September 20, 2018
This is still America right? You still have the right to know what exactly you are being accused of, the details of that accusation, and the ability to face that accuser. Right??
— Kevin (@ColludingGoogle) September 21, 2018
No, the defense ALWAYS goes second.
She has made allegation that are crucifying the Judge in the court of public opinion.
Constitution guarantees the right of the accused to face their accuser.
She isn't special.— Carmenta (@radmadmid) September 21, 2018
That is not how it works! The plaintiff or accuser lays out their case, then the defendant or accused responds!
BTW, who the hell does she think she is to be calling shots?? Grassley is the only one who can do that!
— BelFlor For USA (@CarolDy42663660) September 21, 2018
The accuser goes first for heavens sake. He has the right to respond to all her allegations, not before. Since no one has seen actual letter. This smells more like making demands that they know won't be met. Delay, delay, delay.
— K.D. (@KD83514814) September 21, 2018
We're still in the United States right?
The 6th Amendment is still in effect isn't it?
— Calico Jack (@JohnRackham7) September 21, 2018
Um, no. That’s NOT how justice works. The accuser presents their argument FIRST.
— PCGamerCaptain (@PCGamerCapt) September 21, 2018
Hmmmm….
The accuser testifies first for a reason – so that the accused can defend him/herself against the allegations (this is standard for criminal and civil trials or hearings). Her attorney should have told her that.
But it's all BS, so she's trying to rig the hearing.— Dennis M. Green (@DMG1369Renegade) September 20, 2018
This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
— Eric Gordon (@Dalex_60) September 20, 2018
Nope, she goes first.
— commonsense (@commonsense258) September 20, 2018
Yeah, no. Accuser goes first. Thanks anyways!
— Dennis (@ptguy2001) September 21, 2018
So that's weird and not how it works. Adding to the Kabuki Theater. Well done everyone.
— Chris Tsotsoros (@ctsotsoros) September 21, 2018
Who do they think they are putting conditions on this? Kavanaugh should go last to answer the allegation.
— Jeremy Stein (@jst3in) September 21, 2018
Ford doesn't run the US Senate. This is BS.
— Deb Ramey (@ramey_deb) September 21, 2018
The accused has the RIGHT to face the accuser. The accuser goes first in a court of law. These games have to stop.
— Christopher Cherrone (@thndrdude) September 20, 2018
This whole thing is a charade.
Ford: I accuse him.
Senate: Okay. Show up and testify under oath.
Ford: I’m ready.
Senate: The Hearing is Monday.
Ford: I can’t make it on Monday.
Senate: Okay. But, this is your only opportunity.
Ford: Here are my demands. https://t.co/FUjlnHdyiv— Son of Liberty (@filiuslibertate) September 21, 2018
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with additional tweets.
Related:
'She's NOT in charge of the Senate!' WATCH Megyn Kelly UNLOAD on Ford for demanding an FBI investigation https://t.co/GLnM8CnESF
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) September 20, 2018
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