Folks, Tessa Rose can use some support. If you are in the area, please consider stopping by the trial in the federal courthouse in downtown Philadelphia (601 Market Street):

Here is a report we recieved on day one.

Tessa Rose Trial, Day 1, Monday,November 7, 2005

Hi from Philadelphia,

I'll forewarn you to not have high expectations since I am reporting this on my own. It won't have the depth you had from Joe and Larken's trials because they had multiple input. I realize that something is better than nothing so I will do my best.

We arrived at the courtroom at 11:30 AM. We went inside to find everything quiet. It all started at 9:30 AM so they had gone through the 35 members of the jury pool making their selections. Within ten minutes of our arrival the selection was made. 12 jurors and 2 alternates. Scanning the jury pool it was surprising to see only 3 who appeared to be in their 20s and everyone else was older. When the selection was announced there were 3 men and 9 women selected.

We knew that the request was made to not come and fill the courtroom as had been the request for Larken, so we were a little unsure if it was the right thing to do in coming. The break for lunch we hugged Tessa and she told us she had arrived first this morning and felt so alone. Then the IRS attorneys came and she was still alone. We knew then we had made the right decision to come. Besides Larken, his parents there were only two others beside Marlene and I. Ken Franks, from about an hour from here, and Jim Parrish from Maryland. Jim wanted to stay over, but something big is going on here and all nearby hotels are booked. He went home, but will come back later in the week.

Tessa's attorneys are women. Her lead attorney is Ellen Brockman(?) and co-counsel is Ms Durbin. The IRS has Mr Miller again and his co-counsel is Ms Davis.

Opening statement by Ms Davis was similar to Larken's. The one thing said that stood out was that Tessa had done this because of greed, to improve her financial situation and to reduce the stress in her life. We all know that taking on the IRS to reduce stress in our lives is so far out and hopefully the jury will agree.

The routine was nearly identical to Larken's beginning with Mary Soma, IRS Custodian of Records for 32 years..

Then it was Barbara Thompson who verified that the Medical group that she worked for paid Tessa for doing their medical transcriptions.

Next was Cheryl Bray from Chase Home Finance. She was questioned and verified the Rose's home mortgage and payment record.

Then Cathy Lee Spaulding the IRS Revenue Agent who met with Larken in 2000 and then with Larken and Tessa in September 2000 verified the same things she did at Larken's trial.

Tomorrow the IRS will finish with Cathy and then she will be cross examined. This ended a little after 4:30 and will resume at 9:00 AM tomorrow.

My take on it thus far is that Tessa's attorney is doing a good job. The jury selection seems to be as good as could be expected. Please intensify your prayers for Tessa, her attorneys, the judge and the jury. Remember there is a 6 year old that she home schools and needs her parents.

Until tomorrow.

Ken