Ellison Trial 4

Yesterday the defendant was sentenced to another life term in prison. Another 20 or so years added to his stay in prison. In this painting is Bryan Case the lead prosecutor. He was questioning the ballistics expert. Next to him is the court reporter documenting the proceedings.

Ellison Trial 2

The major challenge in this case was that it happened in the eighties. Many of the witnesses had passed away or moved on. It was a trial for wizards of the rules of evidence. The lawyer in the forefront actually has hair that red. The witness was from the crime lab. CSI is so not true to life. In real cases the crime scene guys do not interview witnesses or defendants. They gather the evidence (without house music) analyze and testify if needed. In the best of situations they are not invested in the case or the law enforcement officer tied to the case.

Witness, Court Reporter and Lawyers

Another in my Tom Delay trial sketch series. This one has been sitting around waiting to be completed for a while. I worked on it a little more during my last shift at Austin Art Space. The witness was a lobbyist.

Delay Trial Sketch

I will get around to making a painting from these one of these days. I think both watercolor and pastel would be great starts.

Trial #14

I wish I could paint from the bailiff's desk or from behind the bench but that would just distract the jury.

From the Delay Trial

Original sketch in black ink. Drawing time about 20 minutes.

I plan on working larger because I want to include more of the trial team.

Evolution of a sketch

If and when I get to work from my sketches I rearrange everyone to fit the courtrooms composition. By the way the jury is out.

More Trial Sketches

More players in the trial. Both parties have rested now its up to the citizens.

Trial Sketches

Some sketches from the ongoing trial in the 331st District Court. I rarely draw the courtroom as it is. I tend to get the body language of the participants down and then construct paintings with everyone in their proper place from the sketches..

From The Sketchbook

This is a sketch from a trial in progress in Travis County.