Monday's anticipation

On BNN, there was an interview with Mark Zauderer, aired at approx. 12:15 PM ET. Mr. Black and Mr. Radler have worked together for a very long time, and there’s “little dispute” of how close they were. According to Csr. Zauderer, Mr. Radler could inflict a “mortal wound” on the defendant's case. He believes that the plea agreement was a shrewd deal on Mr. Radler’s part. If Mr. Radler's testimony strays significantly from what he had told the government, the government can nullify the plea agreement. If his testimony doesn’t salvage the prosecution's case, then it’s “possible” that the plea agreement will not be nullified, but it's “not likely,” as Csr. Zauderer said. It’s also “not likely” that Mr. Radler’s testimony will collapse, as the governemnt is normally sure of the value of testimony exchanged for a plea agreement.

ABC7 Chicago has webbed a brief report on Mr. Radler's appearance too. More detailed is Paul Waldie's updated report in the Globe and Mail, which relates that Mr. Radler and the prosecutors have spent "days" preparing for this day.

Romina Maurino also has written a report, webbed by 570 News. It mentions this morning's testimony, which was not given by Mr. Radler but by Robert Musar. "Prosecutors were trying to show Musur's firm, KPMG, was never asked to assess disputed fees paid to Black's co-defendants in a 2000 deal with CanWest Global Communications... or any other deals." There's no word on any cross-examination of Mr. Musar. The report notes that Conrad Black "appeared relaxed and confident entering the downtown court Monday, smiling as he followed his wife Barbara Amiel Black, daughter Alana Black and son James Black into the courtroom." It also notes that Dominick Dunne and Peter C. Newman are back in that same courtroom.

CBC News had an interview with Havard Gould, the CBC reporter covering the trial, aired on Newsworld shortly after 1 PM. According to Mr. Gould, Mr. Radler didn’t talk to reporters when he arrived, and it's easy to understand why. He’s testifying against his former friend and partner, and is a “self-admitted crook.” Conrad Black, when arriving, didn’t speak to the media either, but (as Ms. Maurino herself noted) he seemed cheerful when he entered the courtroom. Mr. Black might get 20-25 years, in Mr. Gould's estimate, if the jury believes Mr. Radler's direct testimony, but if they don’t, he might walk. Mr. Radler can testify that there was in fact a scheme, and this part of his testimony will be at its heart.