Three Period Pieces, And Another "Prediction Market."

Presented are three blogs that have discussed the Conrad Black trial, plus another "prediction market" that uses play money and an algorithm:

1. From "Toronto Estate Lawyer," an April 11 comment, on why Mr. Black seems to be turning things around for himself: "perseverence in the face of adversity." The author of it, Justin De Vries, argues that such an attitude is the key to getting through an unavoidable litigation.

2. The Law Blog of the Wall Street Journal has a category on Conrad Black - one that was frequently updated until March 23rd, but has fallen into disuse since.

3. A pre-opening (Mar. 7) entry in the blog of veteran Canadian business reporter Diane Francis, which describes Chicago as a town that is blue-collar at heart, respects self-made success, disdains ostentation and roots for the underdog. She concludes that Mr. Black will have a tough time with a Chicago jury - common-sensical in its time but now unusual, given how the defense has really fared. Edward Genson may be the man credited for the reversal in the courtroom; the most obvious candidate for the turnaround in the media would be Mark Steyn.


Also: a small prediction market, run on play money, has a contract on the outcome of the Conrad Black trial: "Will former Sun-Times owner Conrad Black be found innocent in federal court in Chicago?"