The Malvo
Sniper Trial
Chesapeake, VA
Christmas Eve, 2003
Tim Rutherford
(Photos
by Tim Rutherford)
A short summary of events at the Lee Boyd Malvo Trial.
I
was working this trial for my TV station in Baltimore when both the
verdict and the sentence came down. That made for two hectic days.
But when there was really nothing new happening ...it was a good day.
Shoot the comings and goings of the principals...edit the packages...and
do the live shots at 12, 5, 6 and a short look live for 11. On the
routine days...we managed to have a blowout dinner in the evenings.
That was about the only good part.
This
trial was covered by all the networks, CNN and local Baltimore, Washington
and Virginia TV. Lots of cameras but the folks there in Chesapeake,
VA made it as comfortable as you could ask for. A media room with
a live video feed from the courtroom set up in a gym right beside
the courthouse. Really nice porta-pots. And tents for all. There were
lots of sat trucks as the pictures show, and most of the media were
as friendly and cooperative as could be.
WJLA from D.C. made us all happy when they decorated their sat truck.
They went all out. A taste of Christmas that really looked great.
There
was a gag order so there were no sound bites until the two big days.
We were first on the air with the verdict and first on the air with
the sentence. I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I say that
WMAR was the first media outlet in the country to announce the sentence
of life without parole for Malvo.
Once we found out that the jury had reached a decision we went on
the air. My reporter Andy Barth did a live tap dance while I went
to the media room with a cell phone. Problem was we couldn't use the
cell phones in that room. The many producers gathered at the front
of the room to view the decision on the monitor with their cell phones
at the ready, thought they could break the rule. The local police
reminded them it was a no-no just before the announcement. Their frustration
was obvious.
I
stood at the back of the room beside an audio monitor with my cell
phone casually at my side and connected to my reporter. When I heard
the sentence...I took three steps to the door and relayed it to my
reporter who announced it on the air. I estimate that from the time
the clerk read it, to the time my reporter announced it was 7 seconds.
I know we were first in Baltimore. Probably first overall.
Nice
to win...but really no big deal. A couple of pats on the back...a
boatload of overtime, and a couple of dead and eaten cows sums it
up. I was a little surprised that Malvo didn't get death. I watched
the closing arguments and Malvo's lawyer did a good job of portraying
that piece of crap as a "kid". It worked. But more trials will follow.
And a death sentence is in his future. You could tell he was a smart
kid even though he didn't say a word. My reporter Andy said listening
to the victim impact statements was the hardest day he's ever spent.
Everyone was crying. Except Malvo.
Drove
back to Baltimore just in time for Christmas Eve services. Christmas
was exceptionally nice this year. Especially since I knew that I had
already paid for it with all the overtime. But damn if I didn't have
to read a bunch of instructions on Christmas day. I hate that.
Slot A goes into Tab B... Please...just give me an eggnog and call
me after the game. Any game.
Tim
Rutherford
A disclaimer: The little camera I used for these
photos (Aiptek Pen Cam) is meant for convenience...not really quality
photos. It needs a lot of light.
