NYT reports that the Bear Stearns trial progresses apace. Dan Slater, however, compares the flat demeanors of the Bear witnesses to Jeff Skilling: “Nothing, for instance, like Enron’s former chief executive, Jeffrey K. Skilling, cracking during cross-examination and karate-chopping the air during his 2006 trial.”
What?
Jeff Skilling did not crack. Jeff Skilling does not crack. I find this a weird statement because even a cursory glance back at the 2006 trial will reveal a calm, composed Skilling. He did not crack. I don’t know where he got that idea.
As for his “karate chopping”, I think he’s referring to a Skilling gesture that does not look like a karate chop at all. I can visualize it better than describing it but here goes: both hands in front, fingers straight, facing each other , and then slanting outward in a brief, cutting motion.
Anyway, I find his mention of Skilling gratuitous and mean – and inaccurate.
