Judge Dawson discusses chaos of Schiff tax trial

As part of the Nevada Federal Courts Media Conference, U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson spoke and recounted "a few of the chilling incidents" that occurred during the 2005 trial of Las Vegas tax protester Irwin Schiff [pictured right].

The Review-Journal reports:

During the tax trial, Schiff and his allies used local radio airwaves to drum up support. That effort resulted in the courtroom sometimes being jammed with vocal loyalists of the self-styled tax protester, who eventually was convicted and sentenced in February 2006 to more than 13 years in prison. At one point, a Wyoming man was sentenced to 30 days for contempt to trying to verbally encourage jurors to acquit Schiff.

Around that time, strange things started happening around the courthouse. Court personnel had their tires punctured, and IRS agents found that acid had been splashed on their vehicles. At one point, Dawson's safety became enough of a concern that he and his wife started traveling with a U.S. marshal escort. The judge was even harassed at his place of worship.

Following the verdict, jurors in the case reported receiving harassing phone calls. A window was broken at the home of at least one juror.

Not exactly breaking news, but I thought the image of a protester appealing to the jury in open court is priceless.