The People vs. Marshall and Morrissey: Brooke Astor Trial by the Numbers
2 defendants, 7 attorneys, 19 original jurors, 5 months in trial, one verdict.
Oct. 8, 2009— -- The trial of Anthony Marshall and estate lawyer Francis Morrissey made headlines even before opening arguments began in April 2009. The two were accused of swindling New York socialite Brooke Astor out of hundreds of millions of dollars in her final years.
Not only is the story behind the case enthralling -- a supposedly greedy son, 85-year-old Marshall, plotted to get as much of his aging mother's money as possible while she was suffering from Alzheimer's -- but it took an inordinately long time for the case to be completed.
Over five months in court, an array of exciting, enthralling and just plain unforeseen events happened.
Pouring through the thousands of pages of court reporter's notes, here's a look at the numbers that tell the story of the marathon trial.
The Defendants:
Age of Mrs. Astor when she died: 105
Age of defendants combined: 151. Marshall is 85 and Morrissey is 66.
Counts in the indictment: 18 total (16 for Marshall. Six for Morrissey.)
Possible jail time: 1-25 years for Marshall who was found guilty among others things for grand larceny in the first degree. (Sentencing will be Dec. 8, 2009.)
The Verdict:
Trial For All Seasons:
The Jury:
Lawyers:
Witnesses:
Evidence:
Important Dates:
The Defendants:
Defendants: 2 (Anthony Marshall, Brooke Astor's only son, and lawyer Francis X. Morrissey Jr., Brooke Astor's lawyer)
Age of Mrs. Astor when she died: 105
Age of defendants combined: 151. Marshall is 85 and Morrissey is 66.
Counts in the indictment: 18 total (16 for Marshall. Six for Morrissey.)
Possible jail time: 1-25 years for Marshall who was found guilty among others things for grand larceny in the first degree. (Sentencing will be Dec. 8, 2009.)
The Verdict:
Trial For All Seasons:
The Jury:
Lawyers:
Witnesses:
Evidence:
Important Dates:
The Verdict:
Counts found guilty: 14 for Marshal, 6 for Morrissey.
Counts found not guilty: 2 for Marshall, 0 for Morrissey.
Minutes for the jury foreman to read guilty or non-guilty for all 22 counts: 4
Amount of bail assistant district attorney asked for each defendant after the verdict: $ 5 million
Amount of bail the judge released each man on: $100,000.
Words uttered by Charlene Marshall when asked for a reaction while she left the court: 4; "I love my husband."
Days until sentencing: 61.
Trial For All Seasons:
The Jury:
Lawyers:
Witnesses:
Evidence:
Important Dates:
Seat cushions brought to court each day by Charlene Marshall, the defendant's wife: 5
Number of sketches made by court sketch artist: 113
The Jury:
Lawyers:
Witnesses:
Evidence:
Important Dates:
Subway or bus fare to and from court (not compensated for): 38 days at $4 ($152) + 50 days at $4.50 ($225.00) = $377.
With the fare increase for subways and buses on July 1, the jurors, as well as the rest of New Yorkers, had to fork over an additional 50 cents for their round-trip commutes.
Juror's attacked while commuting from court: 1
On Aug. 7, 2009, the jury forewoman was attacked by a female wielding an 8-inch knife on a northbound No. 4 subway. The forewoman and fellow jurors had just left court for the day and boarded the No. 4 subway at City Hall when she was menaced. An alternate juror came to the forewoman's aid and grabbed the female suspect, holding her until cops came.
Days until jurors will have to serve jury duty again: 0. (The judge has excused any juror or alternate juror from ever having to serve on a jury again).
Lawyers:
Witnesses:
Evidence:
Important Dates:
Emmy Award winning journalists who testified: 1. ABC's Barbara Walters testified about Mrs. Astor's condition at her 100th birthday party.
Evidence:
Important Dates:
April 27, 2009: Opening arguments begin.
Sept. 9, 2009: Testimony concludes.
Sept. 14, 2009: Closing arguments begin.
Sept. 22, 2009: The jury is charged with the case and begins deliberations.
Oct. 8, 2009:Verdict.
Dec. 8, 2009: Sentencing.