Peter Kott Trial Day 6 - noon report

I got into the courtroom about 9:20am, while the jury was listening to a tape.

Overview of morning (from 9:20am-11:45am)

1. Listening to tapes Exhibits 56-62
2. Cross examination of FBI Agent Steve J. Dunphy who verified that the CD's placed in evidence were accurate copies of the original.
3. Some discussion among attorneys and the judge about how the defense could cross examine Dunphy and the possibility of their bringing in other audio evidence

The Tapes

While I was in the court they listened to Exhibits 56-62

Topics covered:

1. Polling data for Kott election campaign, how he was doing (not well) and Allen and Smith getting polls done for him by Dittman Research

2. Hardwood floor installation by Kott at Allen's house and the payment for that work - $19,993

3. Allen and Smith concerned about helping Kott get work for Kott's son

4. The reaction of the oil companies to the legislature's not going along with the Governor's gas pipeline bill and PPT legislation

5. Kott flying to Anchorage for an afternoon/evening (then returning to Juneau) so he can attend Don Young's pig roast and get a campaign picture of himself with Don Young (did he he get reimbursed by the state for that trip? That wasn't mentioned)

6. Going to Florida or Barbados to work as a prison warden and play with the pretty women

The conversations were from three tapped phones: Allen's home and cell and Smith's cell.

The conversations were between end of July and August 30. Other important events then were the state legislature's special session which was in July and August 2007. Also the Alaska primary elections were August 22. So the last tape - on August 30 was after Kott had lost his Republican primary reelection bid. In that tape Bill Allen asks him if he is ok. It also sounds like Allen now knows his phone is tapped. He asks Kott questions about how he got reimbursed :

Bill Allen: Did Rick get it done for you?

Peter Kott: Yeah.

BA: How'd he do it? Can you tell me?

PK: Laughing. Shit, what we talked about with you 4-5 weeks ago - add an extra to your bill or something.

The trial should be starting back now. I'll try to report more later.